Prologue
"Once upon a time in the land of Equestria... there was a gentle Prince who ruled over the lands and protected the heavens. His guidance and wisdom ensured the safety and happiness of the ponies that relished the lands. Thus, all the ponies lived and played peacefully in the lands, and harmony was maintained ever since. One day... a terrible fate befell Equestria with a meteor that stretched invisible, far... from the eye can see. Thus, as protector of both the day and the night - It was his duty to vanquish such an evil faith to come on the ponies. It was then that the gentle Prince was made memorial after overcoming such an obstacle...
right after he mysteriously...
vanished..."
PROLOGUE: END
Lesson One: Beginnings
(BOOM!) Thunder as loud as the heaven's mighty strikes of Hephaestus's hammer courses through the damp nights as it awoke the lumix-haired Twilight Sparkle from this restless stormy night. She screams not in shock, but in pure... sadness like no other - Like that of something... knawing on you with persistence until you soon reach an inevitable death. The suspense in the air caused a chain reaction that also triggered the now awake Spike to waltz blindfolded by his blanket, crashing with a hard thud on the hard wooden floor... head first. The room grows silent as the rain continues to pour. The intensity in the air was overwhelming, leaving Twilight sweating and gasping for air.
"I-it was just a dream... or was it?" Twilight stammered, pensive in thought.
“STEP ONE: SECURE THE KEYS.…”
The sudden mention of this... this sentence.... This voice... left Twilight squealing in excruciating mental pain as the sheer words of such a saying echoes on in her mind. The pain courses through her head, nearly driving her off to insanity, wishing that the pain would just go away. Finally after a brief amount of time, the voices echoes off into the corners of her mind as the pain slowly but surely fades off into darkness. Thunder shakes the room, breaking the thought. Footsteps arose louder as it makes its way from the bottom of the staircase.
“W-who’s there!?” Twilight squealed out before finally reassuring her form once again. “Spike! Did you hear that? Did you hear the voices?”
"I don't know about you, but I'm going back to bed" Spike grumbled as he accumulated up a snore from a deep sleep. The minor head concussion from his fall blocked everything out for a few seconds, unwary of the horrible ordeal Twilight just witnessed first-hoof.
It was a long and stormy restless night, making it hard for Twilight to succumb to her heavy eyelids. There was this… feeling.... A feeling that festered into every corner of her mind. Furious. Curious. In distress. It was as if she was looking at her own nightmare, and then reliving it over and over on ends. The thought of such a nightmare never came to mind before. …And why wasn’t Princess Luna there to cease its existence?
Twilight's scream left Spike in curiosity as to why she screamed like that. Focusing an affixed glance towards the purple pony had shone a river of light on her face.
"Twilight... are you... crying?" said Spike in a curious manner.
"Huh? Don't be silly Spike. I'm fine" said Twilight in response to Spike's nonsense as to why he questions her so. But the deep pain in such a tangible nightmare left her watery eyes unnoticed. "W-wait. I really am… crying..."
The tears kept flowing like Neighagra Falls as Spike panicked to get some tissue for Twilight after another strike of thunder lit up the dark library room. Spike wiped her tears and hugged Twilight as she folds hers over him. It calmed the air more seeming that she didn't want to let go of someone she holds dear to - Her friends. And it was then that they both fell asleep in the damp night. The question of Twilight's dream being real or not still floats in her mind. Festering. The room grows silent.
The next morning rose as it shines its gentle and tepid rays over the two. Spike glanced at the now dried tears under Twilight's eyes in wonder as to why she was crying the night before. Pondering. Wondering. Drifting thoughts. The slight movements of Spike shuffling on the bed sheets now awoke the undone-haired pony into a smile of repose. Twilight, now gazing at her mirror, combing her ruffled mane, glances at how this is one of the worse nights she has ever had. The question still floated in her mind, uneasy as to make do of it being as if she witnessed such a momentous event, or just an abroad of lies. Twilight then quickly puts on her tiara holding her element.
"(Step one... secure the keys.... What the hay does that even mean!?) Spike! On my back!" said Twilight without hesitation. "We're going to see Princess Celestia."
"Oookaaay, but don't be too sure of yourself if you think you can fly with these pair of bad boys" giggled Spike.
"Oh please! Thanks to Rainbow Dash, I can fly better than you expect!" said Twilight pompously.
It was a disaster. She was covered up in more bruises and scratches than the amount of times you can count of her staying airborne. Her masjecticness, now the Princess of Ponyville, trotted down in the direction of Canterlot with accustomed faces from her loyal subjects, greeting their new Princess with a bow of selfless dignity and acception. Twilight, gazed with the affixed glares and bows upon her, was still uncomfortable to the matter now that she holds such a significant title.
Up ahead, she is paid with respect and a loyal bow from a polychromatic pony. Rainbow Dash greeted her in pause as if she didn't want to upset the new Princess with her knowing attitude from Twilight.
"Y-your majesty" stuttered Rainbow Dash.
"Twilight. It's Twilight" said Twilight in a calm manner. "Just because I'm your new Princess, doesn't mean I can't be your friend" as she hoof bumps Rainbow Dash on the muzzle. "Now rise."
Rainbow Dash stood up in gratitude, almost forgetting the fact that Twilight is still one of her closest friends. She smiles in gladness to the two, and from the happiness of her heart that Twilight is still the friend she knows.
"Still the same egghead huh?" said Rainbow Dash in a teasing manner to the now pouting Twilight Sparkle. "Just where do you think you're going in this condition?"
"It just so happens that I am going to fly to Canterlot, now if you'll excuuuse me as to be kind enough to give me some space to take off" Twilight said in a tsundere manner.
"Not without me you're not" said Rainbow Dash out of anxiety. "You're cool and all… but not cool enough to be flying yet without my supervision."
"Are you saying I need help to fly!?" said Twilight angrily.
"Yep" said Rainbow Dash and Spike blankly.
Not another word was said. They take off with a smooth start, but a rough adventure to Canterlot. Rainbow Dash had been under Twilight, waiting to support her if she misses a beat of harmony with her wings. She soon panicked as soon as she saw a storm of thunder clouds in front of her. Rainbow Dash also panics in telling her to stray away from her path into immeasurable pain. Twilight had already been desperately asking Rainbow Dash on how to turn, but all that came out were the words of a cry for help. Spike gripped with all his might around Twilight's chest, bracing himself for the worst. Without further hesitation, Rainbow Dash immediately sprang into action, pushing her up above the storm of thunder clouds.
"Remind me to teach you on how to turn egghead..." said Rainbow Dash in relief.
"T-thank you Rainbow" said Twilight breathing heavily.
"Y-yeah, thanks a lot Dash" said Spike in relief.
To pass some time as they make their way to Canterlot, Rainbow Dash, still under Twilight, instructs her on how to turn. Soon, she gets the hang of the process of turning and flapping her wings in harmony. They slowly approach one of the Canterlot Castle's main buildings - The Hall of Remedies.
"Uhh Twilight, you're going in too hot, slow down!" said Rainbow Dash in a panic manner.
"HOW!?" said Twilight now blind in panic and fear.
"(sigh) This won't end well" shrugged Spike.
It did not end well indeed. Everything happened too fast that the event was put into slow-mo. Crashing into one of the glass pane remedy windows and into the hard ground, the force sent the two hurdling like ragged dolls, flinging into something to break their uncontrollable lunge. Spike had crashed into a royal guard to the point it sent both of them flying into another royal guard, and were left to a halt as they crashed into one of the hall's pedestals. Twilight had crashed into --of all the ponies it had to be-- the widened-eyed Princess Celestia as she glances at Twilight with no time to react at all, but with a much greater force because of her size compared to Spike's. The force was so great that it sent both of them flying into and out of another glass pane remedy window. The dreadful force of Twilight's and Princess Celestia's hurdle had finally came to a halt thanks to the royal face-plant of Princess Celestia's body against the wall of an archive, and also the unconventional back-breaking angle of Twilight's back against Princess Celestia's.
"Oaaauuugh..." groaned the Royal Guards in a daze.
"I'm a little teapot short and stout~, here is my handle~, here is my-" as Spike derped out before dropping unconscious with a hard thud on the ground.
"Pain..." as Princess Celestia silently muttered in a high-pitched muffle voice, covered in immeasurable pain before passing out.
"My... aching... back..." Twilight spouted with struggle before falling unconscious due to the sheer force on her spine leaving her paralyzed.
Thankfully, the impact had left the royal guards and Spike traumatized with just minor head concussions. The larger-sized anatomy of Princess Celestia's could bear more pain than all of the ponies. However, Twilight's anatomy was far smaller to endure such an impact, especially on the back that left her paralyzed. The impact had left the latter half --Twilight and Celestia-- unconscious for a few hours in the Canterlot Hospital. Finally, awoken by a dragonesque rub to Twilight's left hoof, a blurry purple and green image began to buffer. The repetition of Spike calling out for Twilight's name were difficult to make out at first, but grew clearer as she recovers from her concussion. Behind the head-bandaged baby dragon stood the half-mummified, medical walker - Princess Celestia, the ruler of the night - Princess Luna, and as well as her worryful friends - Smiling in seeing the now awake Ms. Sparkle. Pinkie Pie was first to break the silence.
"(extended gasp) Twilight! You're awake! Oh sweet Celestia you're awake! While you were asleep, we were talking about how you crashed and all when you came crashing through one of those window thingies like vrooom! And then came out another one like pooosh! Ending with a loud wham into one of those tall towers! It was crazy! Crazy! Like that time where I was like 'Oatmeal!? Are you crazy!?' because I don't like oatmeal and all, especially raisins. To be honest I don't like raisins, but if I have to eat them, then it's okay by me. But CUPCAKES on the other hoof! They're mmm-mmm-mmm delicious with all its sugar-sprinkled, chocolate-coated, frosting-licious..." said Pinkie Pie as her voice dies down when ignored by her friends as she drifts off into her own wonder-world, leaving poker-faced expressions on the rest of the ponies.
"Aaanyway, you've been out for at least two hours there Twilight. You'd outta take a biiit slower than you should hot shot" said Rainbow Dash in a family manner.
"Oh Twilight... we were so worried after you've taken a hit like that. Oh my... we hope you get well soon" said Fluttershy in an anxious manner.
"Do be more careful darling, we wouldn't want to be mourning for one of our best friends in a coma now do we?" said Rarity in a lady-like manner as Applejack stink-eyes her.
"You might wanna take it down a notch in one of them funky trips sugar cube. We wouldn't want that melon rolling off now, heh" said Applejack in a motherly manner as she follows up with a warming grin.
"One must not simply hasten into their demise, Ms. Sparkle. May this be a lesson that you do be more patient in your studies. Be mindful that there is always... room to grow" said Princess Luna in a calm manner, followed up by a smile.
The now cowered-in-blame purple pony concentrated her sad-expressioned eyes to Princess Celestia, pensive in thought of her foolishness actions, waiting for her punishment for what she has done to her teacher. But the tall white majestic-maned pony tilted her head off with just a heartwarming smile. Twilight became shocked at how selfless and oblivious Princess Celestia thinks of her very own condition as to what her own faithful student has done to her. It was though as if she's just... happy... to see her student lively this morning than ever before and having so much fun with her friends; like a flower that finally bloomed.
"Ooor like a chocolate milk with its sippy straw!" said Pinkie Pie as she breaks the fourth fucking wall. "Aww~ The author of this story is such a sweetheart~" giggled Pinkie Pie.
"PINKIE! STICK TO THE SCRIPT!" yelled anonymous.
Again turning the attention away from the pink pony's unconventionally antic nature, Twilight finally accumulated the strength in speaking to Princess Celestia after swallowing a large pill of regret. Twilight then lets out an exasperated sigh in order to clear up her stature into mustering up a speech from within.
"Princess Celestia... I-"
"It's okay Twilight" Princess Celestia interrupted. "Seeing my faithful student having fun with her friends is more than enough to be overwhelmed by such a deficit sentiment to this matter. What matters more is that you maintain such a strong bond with your friends in the magic of friendship, not through just our mistakes, but the mistakes we can learn from here..." as she slowly hobbles over to Twilight --aided by her Sister Luna-- to reach for where her heart is located. "Mistakes are your friend Twilight, and don't let it stop you from fulfilling what holds you true" said Princess Celestia. "Although you might want to reconsider more on your amount of practice with your friend Rainbow Dash before flying" giggled Princess Celestia.
Both Rainbow Dash and Twilight tilted a smile at each other. The sheer words from Princess Celestia's calming speech to Twilight was more than enough to break the ties in the atmosphere, let alone accustomed by her heartwarming smile. She truly is as she is told to be - A God.
"Now the truth of the matter is what you were wishing to tell me Twilight" said Princess Celestia.
"Well... last night... I had a dream... of a pony who saved us; Who saved Equestria! He was... he was a-"
"A Prince" Princess Celestia and Princess Luna interrupted Twilight in unison.
"...And a formidable foe as well" sprouted a nearby voice. Arising from the shadows in the dark corner of the hospital's room was none other than the ruler of chaos himself - Discord. "He was a clever fellow that stood on par with my magic. A real pain if you ask me. Oh how I hated his counter-magic spells. Spells that can be done through flicks than through tricks. Heaven knows how old he is.... It was his power that withheld me in that same statue-like state for a millennium, until I was freed from that time of struggle. I think it was all thanks to a giant meteor or something..., what do you think of that? And then came these… two sisters to seal me off again-"
"Wait!" Twilight interrupted. "A meteor!? It was in my dream last night! ...And I cried..."
"It was in our dreams too" everypony said in unison.
"But it seems the holder of the Elements; the foundation of what it is as of now, took in that unbearable grudge that the Prince once carried, and was then passed onto you, Twilight. For now... his background will be left unknown as it is..." said Princess Celestia suspiciously.
"But Princess!" Twilight asked suddenly. "There was no mention about a Prince in the history of Equestria before! I thought you and Princess Luna were the only rulers-"
"HIS BACKGROUND WILL BE LEFT UNKNOWN AS IT IS!" Princess Celestia interrupted in a threatening tone.
(Silence...)
"I-I'm sorry Princess.... I didn't mean to bring it up..." said Twilight sadly.
"I'm sorry my dear Twilight..." said Princess Celestia apologetically. "It's just a memory..., a memory that I and Luna wish not to pursue further into discussion..."
"Ruling the world in chaos was a blast!" said Discord in bliss to break the silence. "Sadly... I had nopony to share it with... but thanks to this yellow creature, I've now come to understand the true feeling of how fun can really be" as he grabs Fluttershy's chest, subsequent with an arm-lock position, noogieing Mother Nature itself.
"I'm afraid this is no laughing matter everypony" Princess Celestia said boldly. "Because of what happened last night, an electromagnetic pulse wave of great magnitude emitted from the Prince's memories and was then set loose into Equestria. It was the Prince's duty to uphold such a task to store in all this fear... and hatred from contaminating the world, and to then fumigate it out as positive energy; love. The duty of this matter took a great toll on his body, for even though he has relieved the darkness from each possessor's heart into a state of acception, he will still share the same exact pain you felt was your greatest fear and then... reliving it over and over on ends. Rumor has it that down the times of Equestria's History, ponies and other creatures have been seeing these dimensional rifts; these... tears... in space and time itself. It has been said that these tears hold our greatest fears that will bring doom and defile light far worse than the hate-fueled Windigos of Hearths Warming Eve's dark age of disharmony. If nothing is done to prevent such a horrible ordeal, the tear would soon expand its terrain, colliding into other tears that would slowly but surely consume the world into Hueco Mundo; a hollow world. In vetro Equestria, in vevo would become... irreversible."
"What can we do to stop it Princess?" asked Twilight.
"Yes Princess, there must be a way to prevent such a catastrophe" said Applejack.
"There is" Princess Luna said in hope to loosen tension in the air. "These tears act as gateways to the hollow world of each town. If we can stop the sources of each town's tear, then it's the best chance we've got to save all of Equestria. As it is for all your elements' current state, yours, Ms. Sparkle, glows the strongest of all. The key to these gateways requires a large amount of magic, far greater than me and my Sister's, that only the Elements of Harmony carry. Since the elements are no longer within our grasp, we are stripped down of our powers. Until your friends can restore their elements far beyond their current state, then these gateways will not acknowledge your will as the holder of the element you hold true. However, the Elements of Harmony will retain incomplete to suffice these tears’ needs. The task of the matter requires another attribute. For it is missing another element-"
"Love" Discord interrupted. "These gateways are accessible to all, only until all seven elements are presentable with a surplus of power. It was that element; love that drew me to the corners of my magic when I faced-off with... 'him.'"
"This is a task that only you and your friends can accomplish Twilight" said Princess Celestia without falter. "We will be there with you in your time of need. This is no training exercise - Violence and death is absolute. For these tears range in a wide variety of horror and darkness that can display itself in any form possible. Simplest of it being innocent like that of a flower, or fatal in the flash of a second. You must not let your guard down ponies. The fate of Equestria... rests in your hooves."
"You can count on us Princess!" said Twilight proudly.
"Yeah!" said the other ponies.
"Such cheesy lines and simpleton behavior" mumbled Discord but was nudged on the arm by the foreleg of a yellow creature.
"Aww~ Don't be like that. Go on. Saaay it~" giggled Fluttershy.
"Oh alright. Yeah~" squeaked Discord with a raised fist as he was warmed up by the kind smile of such a delicate and reassuring yellow pony.
"There is more detail to explain of this matter" said Princess Luna. "For now, we must wait until your recovery is rest assured, Ms. Sparkle. Once you've met a full recovery, gather your elements and return to us at the Canterlot Castle’s Hall of Remedies."
Visiting times were over as everypony leaves Canterlot Hospital, all except Twilight and Princess Celestia were still left at the scene. Night had fallen quickly as soon as Princess Luna exits the hospital doors to raise the moon. Princess Celestia gives a final smile at Twilight, wishing her a good night's rest as Twilight replies back with the same message. As Princess Celestia hobbles to her room, both ponies remain pensive in thought of what fate will come on Equestria if nothing is done to suppress the matter. For Twilight, it felt as if she was carrying the whole world on her shoulders as everypony's beacon of hope. For Princess Celestia, it felt as if her head was splitting in two from seeing how she can't be there for everypony in need. The suspense in the air was undeniably certain that if nothing was done, heaven knows how bad the wrong turn based on poor decisioning in the future will be made just. The eyelids of millions grew still and restful under the dark starry night sky. Time marches on as the future tends to unfold as it should be. Thankful of today but restless of an uncertain future. Subsequently speaking, the world is unkind with its surprises but generous in its offers. For it is the thought that we must hold psychotic, but alert in what can be accomplished now as we inch in closer to the precipice of an uncertain disaster.
The next morning has risen. Visiting times were open again in the Canterlot Hospital. Twilight’s friends came to visit her again, curious on discussing the matter of what they have ahead of them, and on the challenges yet to come.
“Twilight! How are you doing? Is your back okay? Are you hurt? Did you eat?” Spike questioned Twilight as all she replied back was with a tilted smile in response.
“Aww~” Fluttershy instinctively worded-out.
“I don’t know what has come over the Princesses Twilight, but they seemed dead serious about what they were talking about” said Rainbow Dash.
“Yeah, and I’ve never before seen Discord act in such a serious manner before, seeing how he’s a perty carefree guy and all” said Applejack.
“I agree. If Discord thinks serious of the matter aside the Princesses, then I’m afraid this is no situation to joke about” said Rarity.
“Rarity’s right, all three of them were scary when they were serious” said Fluttershy.
“Don’t worry girls. I’ll make sure that none of us will get in harm’s way. I promise” said Twilight reassuringly speaking to break the tenseness in the air. All ponies smiled at Twilight on what she truly is what she is told to be – A Princess.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t wait to go on adventure! Woohoo!” said Pinkie Pie more enthusiastic than ever.
“About that adventure Pinkie. We can still have fun, but we need to keep our heads focused on the main prize here” said Rainbow Dash in a non-hurtful manner.
“Prize!? What prize!?” said Pinkie Pie out of surprise.
“What she means there sugar cube is that we need to be serious when the time is right” said Applejack in a respective manner.
“Don’t fool around too much okay Pinkie?” said Rarity forwardly. “What?” As everypony affixes a stink-eyed glare upon her.
“Oh…” said Pinkie Pie sadly.
“Don’t worry Pinkie Pie. I’m sure there will be lots of opportunities for us to have fun and to celebrate with a party throughout our adventure” Fluttershy said reassuring the pink pony.
“Good news everypony! Ms. Sparkle has made a full recovery and will be checked out momentarily!” said Doctor Strongheart in a reassuring manner.
“We’ll have her up n’ at ‘em in just a jiffy!” said Nurse Beara in a cheerful manner.
“We just need you to refrain from your friend Spike riding on your back for at least another day or two” said Nurse Shoot in a family manner as he follows up with a tilted smile.
Both nurses approach Twilight as they help her off the bed sheet covers to revert back to all fours.
“Right this way, Ms. Sparkle” said Doctor Strongheart.
“Wait… what about Princess Celestia?” said Twilight out of curiosity.
“Oh don’t you worry your hairy little head Ms. Sparkle, Princess Celestia has just made a full recovery, and has just checked out of the hospital not too long ago” said Doctor Strongheart as he follows up with a smile.
“Doctor Strongheart” Twilight called as he replies back with raised eyebrows. “Around a day ago, have you had a dream about a Prince saving the world from a meteor?” Twilight asked out of curiosity.
“Huh… how’d you know?” said the now piqued in curiosity Doctor Strongheart.
“Just a hunch...” Twilight replied blankly.
Doctor Strongheart and the nurses waved their goodbyes to the ponies as they part off. Spike then instinctively hops onto Twilight’s back, causing her to jerk out a slight groan of pain as her disgruntled eyes glance deep back at Spike. He apologizes forgetting the fact that he needs to lay off her back for a while, at least... until she recovers. However, for a need of another way of transportation, Fluttershy gladly offers Spike a ride on her back. He gladly accepts. The ponies then made their way back to Twilight’s home – The Golden Oak Library. Fluttershy lays down for Spike to get off as Twilight gestures a nod to her friends to meet up back at her residence after recovering their elements from their respective homes.
(Meanwhile at the Canterlot Castle’s Hall of Remedies’s entrance…)
“Do you think it’s true Sis?” said Princess Luna curiously. “Do you really think he has returned for after so long?”
“I don’t know, but he surely is going to get it when he comes back after leaving us in such a gruesomely long wait” said Princess Celestia in an angry tone. The drooped eyes of fear affix upon Princess Celestia from her royal guards as she lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Quite a feat you’ve displayed there if I do say so myself Princess” giggled Discord. “Although I don’t really want to see his face, I do look forward to the laughter I’ll get on the faces you’ll make in response to his appearance. Haha!”
“It’s just… (sigh)” Princess Celestia murmured as her sister lays a hoof on her shoulder to reassure her sadness as she too understands their distant emotions upon him.
The mane six have gathered up once again in front of Twilight’s residence and soon disembarked on their way to Canterlot Castle. All their eyes were focused on the white-coated-purple-maned pony pampering and tidying herself up to see if her outfit matches with her element. The polychromatic pony shakes her head in condemnation. Fluttershy was already in position for Spike to hop on at any minute. Twilight smiled at Spike seeing that her baby dragon is riding somepony else instead of her, almost to the point that she was jealous. They were paid with respect and loyal bows from everypony along their way, even in the train. They arrive at the Ponyville Train Station to Canterlot and boarded. The train departs as the ponies await their destination. Still trying to find an empty cart --across the cart’s annexation-- they finally came across an empty cart. The cart carried two very peculiar ponies that look very familiar. One shone a very elegant pink coat, striped with a purple, pink and yellow-crystal-maned pony. The other, a thick figure of white coat, striped with a dark blue, indigo and turquoise-maned pony. The opening of the cart’s door breaks the conversation between the two as they laid their eyes upon the entering ponies.
“Twily!”
“Brother! Cadence!”
A burst of crossing eyes covers the entire cart of reminisce. The other five ponies paid their loyal bows and respects to Princess Cadence as the two siblings catch up on each other.
“Shining Armor what are you doing here with Cadence?” asked Twilight out of suspicion.
“We were called forth by Princess Celestia on a matter that couldn’t be done through conversation, but through the versatility of our physical actions in the journey you and your friends have yet to come Twilight” said Shining Armor boldly.
“It seems we were also called forth to discuss the solution to prevent an uprising; a state of panic that will cause a stir in sanity to all creatures alike” said Princess Cadence. “And it was Princess Celestia who called us forth to share amongst our ideals in calming the society of our empires and such.”
“Gee… sounds serious…” said Applejack, lost in such big words.
“Indeed it is, fair Applejack, for the fate of more than just Equestria alone is on the precipice of a crisis that may or may not exist to come” said Princess Cadence boldly.
“I just hope it stays that way…” Twilight sorrowfully replied.
“Don’t you worry your hairy little head Twilight” said Applejack cheerfully. “I’m perty sure once we get a full explanation outta this, then them weights on our shoulders will prolly be a-lifted” Applejack says as she follows up with a wink to Twilight.
Time marches on as all the ponies sat down in their respective places. They all chat cheerfully on their funny times having fun together here and there, and apologizing to what they regret on doing or treating their friends on how they should not be treated. All were reminiscing on the times that they helped one another and are glad that they were there for each other in their own times of frustration. The conversations between the ponies trailed by as the loud churning wheels of the train marches on. The red hot burning coal of the train’s heart burns on with a hoof of iron. The train’s conductor then sounds the train’s whistle, cueing the train’s stop. The delated train’s stop caused a slight force on the already consolidated ponies to hurl a bit forward, but only causing the pink pony to tumble into the conductor’s cart. Conductor Coalition gets a nice underbelly look of the clumsy pink pony’s nether region.
“C-can I help y-you...?” Coalition stuttered with a widened-eyed, red-faced stare as the pink pony replies back with a sheepish smile grin.
The ponies then disembarked the train. Twilight, seemingly checking if everypony is here, counted only one pony missing. It was very strange, even for Twilight to notice that this time, Rarity was missing, usually it being that Pinkie Pie would be the first to disappear from the group. Twilight then finds Rarity face-planting her “Ooo-mouthed” smile, hoofs and cheeks up against the window panes of a carousel boutique here in Canterlot. Knowing all the glamour here, the sophistication on how Rarity truly is what she says to be – A Canterlot pony at heart. Twilight casts a spell around her, hovering the trance-like state of the white pony from what she wants to do from drifting off-business with what they really came here to do. The group of ponies started to talk on their last arrival here in Canterlot, discussing the many exciting things to do here first and leave here last. Finally, arriving at the Canterlot Castle’s Hall of Remedies’s entrance, in the distance stood the fixture of three images. The ponies then greeted each other in their acquaintances without further ado, forthwith exchanging information as they go.
“As you all may know, the whole world inches closer to the precipice of disaster” Princess Celestia said boldly. “You and your friends, Twilight, must writhen out the darkness that remains absolute. Discord will be accompanying you all on this journey around the world, freeing the towns and empires from their state of resentment.” Princess Celestia said as Discord approaches the ponies’ side without further hesitation, standing sturdy and true to her words.
“As you journey around the world, contacting one another is a great feat to uphold” said Princess Luna. “Therefore, we shall be teaching all of you a spell called ‘Echo Telepathy.’ A spell that ensures all of us to remain intact with one another, with the thought of the mind at any distance to come-“
“Don’t mean to burst your bubble Princess, but how will us ponies and pegasi be able to perform magic without ya know… horns and stuff?” Applejack interrupted Princess Luna out of curiosity.
“Fear not, fair Applejack” said Princess Luna. “For the elements all of you hold true bestow an unimaginable power to their users. All you have to do is think of the character you would like to contact, and then speak to them through the mind. Try it.”
All the ponies started communicating to each other through their minds. The royal guards gave off an “Aww-face,” subsequent with the expression of saddened eyebrows. Applejack and Rainbow Dash started fighting for some reason.... Twilight and Rarity are holding their heads in pain as Pinkie Pie bounces around them. Discord was hugging Fluttershy in affection as Princess Luna and Princess Celestia happily smiled at the ponies. Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, Discord, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna already knew this spell. Spike however, couldn’t perform such a task.
“Performing such a feat Spike requires magic” said Princess Celestia. “Therefore, me and my Sister will be casting a spell on you that will allow you this trait.”
Both the Princesses horns stood near Spike’s chest as their magic lets loose out on him. Their magic enshrouds Spike with a glow of wonder as the event ends with a flash.
“Go on – Try it.” Said Princess Celestia.
Spike echoed out a “Hello” to the Princesses as they reply back with the same message. Twilight then hugs him out of surprise, knowing that her baby little dragon can keep in touch with Twilight; with everypony. All the ponies settled down after having their fun little moments before heading off into the world of the unknown. Paying their respects if anything… anything bad were to ever happen to them… along the way.
“Your first task ponies, is to uncover the truths that restrain Ponyville’s pedestal” said Princess Celestia. “You must find the tear that holds Ponyville’s darkness, and then writhen it from its existence to come.”
All the ponies nod their heads in unison to carry out a task from the Princess herself.
“We would like to accompany you and your friends Twilight, but me and my Sister must takes matters into our own hoof here” as Princess Celestia gestures twice to the ponies to come with them with a stare back at the doors to the Hall of Remedies.
The ponies looked behind her. They listened closely, and were completely oblivious to the loud noises emitting from the doors within. Without further ado, the Princesses looked at everypony and lead them to the doors. Twilight however stops in her tracks as Applejack puts a hoof on her shoulder, giving her a face of wonder. The purple pony stood there, pensive in thought. Princess Celestia looks back at her with suspicion as to why she stood so.
“Wait!” said Twilight. “Princess Celestia…, everypony. We all shared the same dream last night….”
“Yes... we did” said everypony in unison.
“But did anypony hear the voices?” said Twilight in a curious manner.
“Voices?” said Princess Celestia in suspicion.
“I heard these… these voices last night. It happened right after the occurrence of the dream. It also lead me to a very… painful headache. I-I was scared…” as Twilight looks down, as to what became of her.
Princess Celestia approaches her, raising a hoof to her chin in lifting her head up to her in eye contact. She smiles deep into Twilight’s eyes as she replies back with the same message.
“Tell us” Princess Celestia said in a curious manner. “What are these voices that you are talking about?”
“After the dream... these voices appeared. They mentioned-” all of a sudden, Twilight was lifted in the air, seemingly possessed by something that raised fear into everypony.
“STEP ONE: SECURE THE KEYS…”
Twilight was then laid down. Holding a hoof to her head in a daze. Everypony was now looking at her with worried expressions and quivering mouths.
“Ugh… W-what happened?” Twilight said while recovering from such an event.
“You were… possessed Twilight” said Princess Celestia unscathed from flinching to the matter as Twilight follows up with a gasp. “Possessed by a strong spirit. A Spirit that may have something to do with this whole matter of everypony having similar dreams. The truth of the matter is questioning the spirit so. Should we come to the conclusion in carrying out the spirit’s wishes prosperously? Or will it become the downfall of us all?”
“To tell you all the truth. I for one agree that we should follow this ‘spirit’ and its desires” said Discord. “After all… it’s the only lead we've got as a follow-up to the dream."
“Discord’s right” said Princess Luna unquestionably speaking. “It’s all we have as information to the matter.”
“But, what does it even mean?” said Twilight in a curious manner as everypony talks about it in wonder.
“Step one… secure the keys… keys…” Princess Celestia said to herself, pensive in thought.
“Well that’s a problem!” said Rainbow Dash furiously. “How in the hay are we supposed to find these ‘keys’ when we don’t even know how they look like or what they are even used for!?”
“Calm down R.D.” said Applejack calmly. “I’m sure there’s a way to figure this out.”
“Maybe it has something to do with the Prince” said Princess Cadence.
“The voices were a follow up to the dreams we shared” said Shining Armor. “Surely there must be a lead to these ‘keys' relating to the Prince.”
“Discord. Do you know anything ‘key-like’ when you faced off with the Prince?” said Princess Luna.
“Hmm… Well he did defeat me with the Elements of Harmony…” said Discord wondering in thought.
“Everypony! Examine your elements for clues or hints to the dream’s follow-up” Princess Celestia exclaimed.
Without further ado, the mane six examined their elements, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Something was engraved in an ancient language around each elements’ case.
“Found something!” as each element-user follows up after one another.
All the ponies placed their elements together. Though the ancient language was familiar to Princess Celestia after living over a thousand years, the language was enshrouded by a mystical field of magic. A magic beyond her capabilities of cracking.
“I’m afraid I can’t decipher the code” said Princess Celestia sadly. “There is a magical force field that prevents me and others from reading it… A black cloud enshrouds the elements through my vision that reads the following – ‘Ye are not worthy.’ Wait… all of you found it… Does it mean you can read it?” as the ponies closely inspect their respective elements.
“Big adventures?” said Rainbow Dash.
“Tons of fun?” said Pinkie Pie.
“A beautiful heart?” said Rarity.
“Faithful and strong?” said Applejack.
“Sharing kindness – It’s an easy feat?” said Fluttershy.
“And magic makes it all complete?” said Twilight.
All of a sudden - A lightning bolt strikes the very surface of the Earth in front of their eyes. As the flash from everypony’s eyes dissipates, the very same ancient language engraved around the Elements of Harmony’s cases laid about. This time… it was readable to the Princesses and to Discord.
“It started off bewitched in thought.
It hides itself in words a lot.
It revives itself again anew.
It begins where it began.
This... is step two.”
“STEP TWO: ASCEND FROM DARKNESS.…”
"Oh no…” said Twilight, shocked in thought.
LESSON ONE: END
