Quest for Harmony-EDIT IN PROGRESS (Note: changing story to present tense)

by DarkStarWolf53

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Dark, Alternate Universe
Length: 7403

Six mares, six different worlds, one quest- a quest to find the powerful Elements of Harmony- if they survive long enough to find them.

Originally by The Color Green; they asked me to take over their story when they cancelled, so the mods transferred it to my account.

NOTE: I'm still editing and am changing the verbs to present tense. I shall let my watchers know when the edits are done.

"The fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends!"

Those were her words. Her exact words, and now she regretted them. But she did have friends: five of them, five that would never fail her.

A former slave.
An outcast mercenary.
A high-born thief.
A lovely, but shy, peasant mare.
A cheerful bard.

Equestria was dangerous. Everyone knew this.

But with friends like these, she could do it. She could find the Elements of Harmony. That is, if they didn't get themselves killed beforehand…

Note: The 'other' tag is because there are too many characters to list in this fic.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-05-10 23:23:23 UTC

Chapter 1-Twilight Sparkle (EDIT IN PROGRESS) (Note: changing story to present tense)

Chapter 1-Twilight Sparkle (EDIT IN PROGRESS)

A lavender unicorn with a navy-and- pink mane trotted through the halls of “Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns”, muzzle buried in a book.

“ What’s this about a ‘mare in the moon’?” she muttered. “‘On the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape?’ ‘Elements of harmony?’ I have to warn the princess!”

She headed toward her mentor’s quarters, still keeping her muzzle in the book- and nearly crashed into three other unicorns.

She halted, looking them over.

‘Let’s see: Twinkleshine is the white one with the light pink mane and tail, Minuette is the light blue one with the two-toned blue mane, and Lemon Hearts is the yellow one with the sky blue mane, right?’ thought Twilight.

“Hello, Twilight!” said Twinkleshine. “Moondancer’s throwing a get-together in the castle courtyard! Wanna join us, socialize, make friends, that kind of thing?”

“Er- thank you for the offer, but I would prefer not to,” replied Twilight, inwardly cringing at Twinkleshine’s incorrect word use.

“But why?” asked Lemon Hearts, “It’ll be fun!”

“I have a lot of studying to do.”

Twilight’s voice turned into strange mutterings about the legend of the ‘Mare in the Moon,’ which got her a very strange look from the three unicorns.

“Um- Twilight..?” began Minuette. “The mare in the moon is just an old mare’s tale…”

However, the purple mare was not listening. She was heading for the library to pick up her assistant, then she would have to speak to her mentor. Again, she was not paying attention to her surroundings- and knocked another pony over.

This time it was not a unicorn, but one of the earth pony servants- an older mare, though she looked like she was beautiful in her youth. Since she was still distracted, Twilight forgot one of the biggest rules for the unicorns, gifted or not: don’t go near the earth ponies, for they are inferior and no more than slaves. She helped the earth pony up, and was about to talk, for the mare’s eyes were filled with experience, but she caught herself. The unicorn half-heartedly apologized, then trotted away.

‘I don’t understand it. The unicorn headmaster said earth ponies are inferior, and Celestia said not to talk to the slaves, but why not? Surely they have their own stories to tell. But if Celestia said it, she must be right.’

The mare pushed her thoughts away and trotted into the library- the one place in the school she felt at home. She tossed her saddlebags down without looking where they landed...

“Spike?” she asked, “Where are you?”

A smallish violet dragon with green spines down his back got to his feet, though he seemed kind of woozy.

“What hit me?” he asked.

“There’s no time to explain, Spike. I need a certain book- ‘Foresight and Prophecies’- and I need it as soon as possible. I’m almost done with my research project, but I need that book for the final touch.”

“All right, I’ll get it. I think it was up here.”

Spike climbed up a ladder and got down a large volume from the topmost shelf- and lost his footing.

Twilight Sparkle caught him and the book with her magic, then placed both gently down in front of her.

“Let’s see here- elements of harmony, elements of harmony- ah here we are. See ’Mare in the Moon’? What?”

She flipped further through the book until she got to the page she was searching for.

‘The Mare in the Moon, now thought to be a myth from olden times. Said to be a powerful pony, possibly a sorceress, who wished to rule Equestria. Eventually defeated by the Elements of Harmony and locked in the moon; legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will seek to bring darkness over all the land…’

“Darkness over all the land..?” repeated Twilight. “Spike! We must warn the princess-take a letter!”

The little purple dragon got a quill pen and parchment as Twilight began to speak.

“My dearest teacher, my studies on magic and prophecy lead me to believe we are on the brink of disaster. The so-called ‘mythical’ Mare in the Moon is actually the dark sorceress Nightmare!  She plans to return to Equestria and may destroy us all! Something must be done to prevent the prophecy from coming true! Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Got it,” said Spike.

“Please send it.”

“Now? But the Summer Sun Celebration is next week! Won’t she be busy?”

“We have no choice- the Summer Sun Celebration is the day the prophecy comes true!”

“All right, I’ll send it,” replied the dragon as he used his firebreath to send the letter off,  “But if she doesn’t respond right away…”

At that second a new letter appeared in his claws.

“Told you!” smirked Twilight as she picked up the letter with her magic.

It read:  ‘My dearest student, Twilight Sparkle, you know I value your diligence and trust you wholeheartedly, but you really must take a break from constantly reading those dusty old books. I am sending you to Ponyville as an exchange student. You must try to make some friends! That is my imperial order. Pack your things, my dear student. You leave tomorrow. Your teacher, Princess Celestia.’

“If that is what she commands, I must obey,” said Twilight. “Spike, pack your things and I’ll get mine. Tomorrow we’re going on an… adventure, I guess.”

Though the lavender unicorn wasn’t looking forward to this, she knew Celestia had her best interests at heart.

‘But that doesn't mean I have to like it,’ she thought, ‘I suppose we’ll stay a little while, then come back here. We’ll see.”

The next morning, Twilight and Spike loaded into a flying chariot, and headed off to Ponyville.

Chapter 2-Applejack (EDIT IN PROGRESS)

Spike shut his eyes, enjoying the ride, while Twilight concentrated on what she should do. Celestia had arranged for her to stay in a library, yes, but how could she avoid interaction with the other ponies at first? She wouldn’t have time- not with the Summer Sun celebration less than a week away. She would have to be ready for Nightmare’s return! Friendship could wait until the evil was vanquished.

The chariot landed on the edge of Ponyville.

“This is as far as her royal highness Celestia will allow us to go. Guards in Ponyville could spook the villagers. Fare you well, Lady Twilight.” said one of the pegasus guards.

“Farewell to you as well,” replied the unicorn.

“Enough formalities,” Spike put in. “Celestia said to make friends, so let’s go meet other ponies!”

“Ok,” said Twilight, “But I’m not going to like it!”

She strode into town, her assistant on her back, and noticed a pink earth pony with a curly mane nearby.

“Um- hi..?” began the bookworm.

Instead of answering, the strange pony gasped loudly and bolted, a blur of pink.

Twilight blinked a few times, not knowing how to respond to the situation.

“Ok then…” said Spike. “So that happened. Now what?”

“Spike, the list.”

“What list?”

“The one Princess Celestia gave you, for places I should go to make ...friends.”

“Oh, you mean this list?” asked the baby dragon, taking a roll of parchment and ink from his pack.

“Yes, that one.”

The mare took the list from the dragon’s claws with her magic.

“Let’s see, the first place on the list is Sugarcube Corner, on the tavernkeepers’ lane. And look, it’s near the library! Let’s get this over with.”

She and her assistant trotted into the building, and while Twilight introduced herself to the proprietors- Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Spike looked at all the sweets- and begged Twilight to let him get something. After several minutes of incessant begging, Twilight finally agreed- and her assistant got into so much sugar, he wound up falling asleep in the bakery once the sugar wore off.

Mr. and Mrs. Cake agreed to keep the little dragon until he woke up.

Now to get some studying done at the library, thought the unicorn- until she was interrupted by a filly’s terrified scream.

Now, Twilight didn’t exactly like other ponies, but her ancient instincts took over- if a foal was in danger, she had to help them.

The mare charged through a crowd- and found herself looking at a slave auction.

She was used to slavery back in Canterlot- her family didn’t keep slaves, but the princess did. All she’d heard said slaves were worthless, had no emotions, didn’t have families, weren’t anything more than a commodity to be bought and sold, but the scene before her made her rethink what everything she had been told.

A pale gold earth pony filly was being led away-forcibly- by a haughty-looking unicorn stallion. Behind him, a gold-orange mare covered with scars tore loose from her bonds and reared on her back legs, challenging the unicorn. She was taller than he was.

“You blasted slave traders may have killed mah parents and taken mah granny and brother, but Cerberus take me if I’m going to allow you to lay a hoof on mah little sister!” snapped the older earth pony.

“H-hold her back!” stammered the unicorn, clearly terrified.

The earth mare’s voice calmed a bit, though it clearly took a lot of effort. “Or if you must take her, take me too. Ah can do all kinds of heavy labor. Just let me stay with mah sister…”

“I-I’m afraid we, uh, have no openings at the moment!” stammered the still-frightened stallion. He took the bound filly and bolted.

Twilight watched the scene with astonishment. Wait- Slaves have families? They actually care for their kinfolk? I never knew that? And- and that could have been my brother and me when we were younger…

As she continued watching, Twilight noticed the gold-orange earth pony tense and give chase-only to be brought down by a lasso around all four legs. The mare was dragged off, though she fought and struggled to get away.

As for Twilight, she felt a new resolve pulsing through her.

She trotted briskly up to the pony selling the slaves.

“How much for the gold-orange mare?” she asked.

“You don’t look strong enough to handle her…” began the auctioneer. “This here slave calls herself ‘Applejack’, but in the trade she’s called ‘Blood-Orange’.  She’s the deadliest slave there is- doesn’t realize her place is to obey her master’s commands. And can she kick..! I heard when one of her masters tried to discipline her with the whip. she fractured his skull.”

A… whip… That’s it. Despite what I’ve been told, that is just not right. More power to her!

Though tempted to say this aloud, Twilight decided to keep her mouth shut.

“I am stronger than I look. And seeing as she’s a fighter, I doubt you’ll get any more offers. So I repeat, how much for Applejack?”

“Um… Is fifty bits ok? I can go lower…”

Twilight got fifty bits out of her saddlebag.

“Are there any more offers?” asked the auctioneer.

Every single pony in the entire crowd quickly avoided eye contact. They all seemed to be afraid of the gold-orange mare.

“Going once, going twice… SOLD! To…” He paused a moment. “I never got your name, miss…”

“Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle.”

“SOLD to Twilight Sparkle for fifty bits!” The auctioneer lowered his voice again. “I just hope you know what you are getting into. Good luck- you’re going to need it.”

Twilight cautiously approached the slave mare, avoiding direct eye contact- she didn’t want to seem a threat- and picked the earth pony’s lead chain up with her telekinesis. Then she headed to the library, the earth pony in tow.

Once she was out of sight in the library, the unicorn used her magic to break the collar and chains.

“You’re free now, Applejack,” she whispered.

“While ah appreciate the sentiment,” replied Applejack, “You did pay for me. Ah’m in your debt. By the way, yer name’s ‘Twilight’, ain’t it?”

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle, or Twilight for short. By the way, you are not in my debt….” she began. Then she noticed books scattered everywhere in the library.

“Oh no, this mess will take hours to clean up! And I still have studying to do!”

“Ah’ll do it,” said Applejack.

Before the unicorn could protest, the orange mare busied herself cleaning up.

“Applejack, there’s no need…”

The earth pony shushed her. “Ah’m in your debt, ma’am. Ah’ll take care o’ this. You get yer studyin’ done!”

Twilight opened her mouth to argue, but realized this earth pony was stubborn. Arguing would be useless.

“Well… Okay, Applejack…”

While Applejack cleaned up, Twilight went to her studies, eventually falling asleep- and forgetting she’d left her assistant at Sugarcube corner.

Chapter 3-Rainbow Dash EDIT IN PROGRESS

The first thing Twilight noticed in the morning was the smell.

It was a delectable smell, rich with the crisp tang of apples, the wheaty aroma of bread, and even the faint scent of fresh green celery.

It was also a very odd smell, seeing as the last time Twilight had had that sort of breakfast meal was when she had gone home for Hearth’s Warming break two years ago.

Applejack!

Twilight leapt out of bed and hurried down the stairs. The scents only got stronger as she went, and by the time she reached the kitchen her mouth was watering almost beyond belief.

She poked her head into the kitchen and saw that Applejack was indeed at the stove, making breakfast.

“Oh my goodness… Applejack, you really didn’t need to do this―”

Applejack looked up.

“Oh, mornin’, Twilight.” She grabbed a spatula off of the counter and began to serve up a plate. “Sit yerself down, Ah’m almost done.”

“Applejack―”

“Sit.”

Twilight made her way over to the table and sat.

Applejack finished serving up the plate and carried it over to the table. Twilight looked down at it and saw a fresh-baked loaf of bread, a generous portion of still-warm apple crumble, and a small celery tart.

The smell was having a merciless effect on Twilight’s willpower.

“Al…right…” she muttered, staring at the food. “Fine.” She looked up again to see Applejack standing next to the stove, watching her. “But you’re eating with me.” A section of apple crumble levitated off of the stovetop and onto a spare plate, along with a second tart and a half-loaf of bread. The plate then lifted off of the counter and landed neatly in the space across from Twilight.

Applejack trotted over and sat down, though she had an extremely uncomfortable look on her face.

They sat in silence for a while, both wolfing down the delectable food. Twilight was two-thirds of the way through her meal when a sudden thought dropped into her mind.

“Erm, Applejack―where did you sleep last night?”

The earth pony shrugged. “Over there.” She pointed to a small corner at the far end of the now-spotless library. A pillow and a blanket had been dragged over and arranged into a sort of makeshift bed.

Twilight’s eyes widened.

“You cleaned the whole library and then slept in the corner?”

Applejack just shrugged again.

“There’s an extra bed upstairs,” Twilight said. “That’s where you sleep from now on―and if you need anything else, tell me, alright?”

Applejack nodded her head and took another bite of apple crumble.

“Alright―”

She was cut off by a fierce whinny from outside.

Twilight leaped from her kitchen, followed closely by Applejack.

“Stay back, AJ!” she whispered. “This could be dangerous!”

“Which is exactly why ah ain’t about to let ya go it alone,” replied the earth pony.

Again, Twilight remembered how stubborn Applejack was.

“All right, Applejack, you can follow if you like. But please, I beg you, stay out of danger.”

“Now look here, miss,” said Applejack, “Ah’m in your debt and ah refuse to let you get hurt.”

Twilight shook her head and trotted outside, the gold-orange pony following.

Strangely enough, there was no one nearby. The unicorn was about to head back inside, but then she felt something hard and sharp against her neck.

“Make one move or try to scream, and you’re dead…” hissed a harsh female voice.

“Lay off’a my master!” snapped Applejack, intent on charging the cloaked attacker.

“Applejack, no!” gasped Twilight.

The farm mare didn’t listen, but the cloaked pony threw off her hood rather than attack, revealing sky-blue fur and a rainbow-colored mane.

“Stay out of this, Applejack,” warned the blue pony. “It’s not your fight.”

“Rainbow Dash?” gasped Applejack, freezing in her tracks. The farm mare’s green eyes grew wide. “Since when do you go around killin’ folk?”

Twilight heard wingbeats above her.

“AJ- run!” said the blue mare. “It’ll be ok, trust me!”

Though still very mistrustful, Applejack stood back, though she kept her gaze on Rainbow.

Three pegasi landed next to Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

“So you haven’t turned traitor?” said the leader. She was cloaked, but Twilight could see her face: yellow fur and a fire colored mane.

“Of course not, Spitfire. I was about to take care of this wingless wimp when you interrupted.”

“You seem to have missed another wingless wimp over there,” said Spitfire, pointing at Applejack. “I’ll just take care of her for you…”

She swooped toward Applejack, battle-axe in her teeth, only to have her muzzle meet up with AJ’s flying hooves.

“Ah’m no pony’s prey,” hissed Applejack. “Now get outta here afore I kick you again!”

Spitfire tried to get up to make the earth pony pay, but the blow to her head left her stunned and unable to move.

“Wonderbolts, RETREAT!” she yelled as Applejack reared up, ready to strike again.

The other two pegasi took to the air, and after another moment, Spitfire followed.

Rainbow Dash stayed behind, and as soon as the Wonderbolts were out of sight, put away her weapon and let Twilight loose. Then she took off her cloak.

“RD,” said Applejack, “You have a lot of explaining to do.”

“You two know each other?” asked Twilight.

“We were best friends as foals,” said Rainbow Dash. “Then AJ got taken…”

“Let’s save the backstories for later, RD. Come on in , but don’t ya dare lay a hoof on mah master til we know for sure we can trust ya. Ah’ll be watching ya…”

The three ponies trotted inside, Applejack never taking her eyes off the blue pegasus.

“I’m really sorry,” said Rainbow Dash as she sat down on the library floor. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Ya sure have a funny way of showin’ it!” snapped Applejack.

“Please Applejack, listen to me. The Wonderbolts would have killed me, you, and your master if I didn’t attack her.”

“Why would they do that?” asked Twilight.

“Because they are a band of mercenaries- murderers, more ,likely. They try to kill any pony without wings, so the can take over. When they saw me flying, my speed impressed them and they invited me to join. I knew what they did, and refused- until they threatened to kill my family. I’ve been with them ever since. They thought I turned mean, but they were wrong. Every time they set me on someone, I would let them go in  secret. But you know what? I’m done living a lie. I want to be able to help, not harm. As of now, I quit the Wonderbolts!” snarled Rainbow Dash.

She threw her cloak to the ground, then turned back to the others.

“If they find me, they’ll kill me. Can I maybe stay with you until I can find a safe place to rent in town?”

“One moment please,” said Twilight.

She signaled Applejack to come over to the corner of the library.

“Can this ‘Rainbow Dash’ be trusted?” whispered the unicorn.

“Once ya make a friend a’ her, she’ll be yer best ally, but if ya make an enemy of her, yer, well you know-”

At this Applejack paused and made a slashing motion across her neck.

Twilight shuddered.

“I think I get it- should we let her stay?”

“Yup, if she don’t try anythin’ foolish…”

The two ponies turned back to Rainbow Dash.

“All right, you can stay. Provided you are under guard and/or locked in a room until we find out more about you.”

“I accept,” replied Rainbow Dash. "Just keep the Wonderbolts away from here!"

Chapter 4- Rarity- EDIT IN PROGRESS

Rarity- REWRITE IN PROGRESS

When Twilight left the library, Red Rose and Snow Flight were gone, leaving her and Applejack free to enjoy the walk to Sugar Cube Corner.

When they arrived, Twilight was pleased to see that the catering work had only just begun. She jumped in immediately, but soon discovered that, like her mother and older brother, she had zero talent when it came to working in the kitchen. Eventually the Cakes gave up and gave Twilight a job waiting tables in the tavern’s front room.

“Wait,” Twilight said, as Cup Cake practically shoved her out of the flour-covered kitchen. “Waiting tables doesn’t count as preparing for the Summer Sun Celebration! I’m not helping!”

“But you are helping us, dearie,” Cup Cake replied, even as she double-checked the lock on the bottom half of the kitchen door. “If you’re there taking orders, we don’t have to do it. It counts.”

Twilight grudgingly agreed, on the condition that the Cakes would notify her if they needed anymore help with the baking.

The tavern was still relatively empty, and Twilight had very little to do until the door on the bell jingled and an alabaster-white unicorn walked in.

She was stately and stylish, the sort of mare who never went near a library for fear of catching the dreaded disease known as “intelligence”. Her dark purple mane and tail had been coaxed into gorgeous curls, almost the polar opposite of Twilight’s straight tresses. Her eyes were sapphire blue, and they took in everything around her as she trotted up to the counter where Twilight stood.

“Good morning,” she chirped, in a bright, refined voice. “If I could, please, have a table?”

“Of course,” Twilight replied almost mechanically. “Will anypony be joining you?”

“No.”

“Then follow me.”

Twilight led her to a small table nestled in the far corner. As she walked she was highly conscious of the mare’s dark mane brushing against the single saddlebag at her side. She eventually wrote the action off as touchy-feelyness, or just a desire to stick close to a fellow unicorn in an unknown tavern.

She’s obviously not from around here. With that accent, she could be from Manehatten, or even Canterlot!

The unicorn took her seat and studied the artistically rendered menu that was mounted underneath the glass tabletop.

“I’ll take one oatberry strudel, please,” she said. Twilight nodded and trotted off to the kitchen.

The bottom half of the door was still locked, so Twilight was forced to stick her head through the open top half and call out the order.

“One oatberry strudel!”

Applejack hurried over with a plate clutched in her mouth. Twilight levitated it up and hurried it back over to the white unicorn’s table.

“Why, thank you,” the mare said, transferring the plate to her own magical grasp and setting in down on the table. “I must say I wasn’t expected such timely service.” She glanced up at Twilight and tilted her head, as if assessing her fellow unicorn. “Hm… I don’t suppose you’ve ever thought of curls for your coiffure? You’d look simply splendid if you did.”

“My what? Oh, you mean my mane.” Twilight reached up to stroke one hoof through her straight mane. “Well, I don’t normally do much with it, so I guess―”

“What?” The unicorn actually leapt out of her chair. “Why, how could such a glorious mane as yours possibly go undealt-with? Come, darling.” The unicorn lowered her head and began to push Twilight toward the door of the tavern.

“Wait, what―where are we going―stop!”

***

Twilight was starting to suspect Celestia of purposefully manipulating events just to put her in these uncomfortable situations. If her suspicions were correct, then she was going to have some words with her mentor when she got back to Canterlot.

At the moment, however, Celestia was the least of Twilight’s worries. At the moment, she was sitting in a plush, padded chair in “Carousel Boutique” while the white unicorn, who had introduced herself as “Rarity”, snipped and curled and twisted her mane.

“Hmm,” the pale unicorn murmured, pulling uncomfortably at Twilight’s mane as she curled it around a particularly large emerald. “Oh, this will look simply fabulous when I’ve finished with―ack! Amethysts? What in the name of Celestia was I thinking? No, sapphires are just what this design needs.”

Twilight squirmed uncomfortably to the side, but was apprehended by Rarity before she could escape.

“Just a moment, darling, I’m almost finished. And…” She trailed off, winding a few more gems into Twilight’s navy blue mane. “There! All done.”

Twilight glanced into the mirror in front of her and saw a confused-looking lavender unicorn with an expertly curled navy blue mane. The purple-and-pink stripe to one side had been braided and wound around a dark sapphire, while the larger part of her mane was woven with bright blue topazes and pale emeralds.

“Wow…” Twilight glanced sideways and caught sight of a clock mounted on the wall. Noon! Sweet Celestia, I need to go. “It looks really nice, Rarity! Thanks, okay, bye!” She leapt out of the chair and sped out of the boutique, back towards Sugar Cube Corner.

Twilight burst into the now-familiar tavern and hurried toward the kitchen. I just hope they’re still here―I know Applejack would probably go back to the library, but Spike―

“Over here, Twilight.” Twilight turned to see Applejack sitting with Spike at a two-pony table by the door.

Blushing furiously, Twilight trotted over to them. “Thanks for waiting for me, you two.”

“Mrs. Cake said to tell you that they really don’t need any more help with the catering,” Spike said, snickering a little. “Even though they’ve only got Bon-Bon and Maroon Carrot helping so far.” He leaned in to stage whisper, “I think she’s just still mad about those oatcakes.”

“Anyway, we were thinkin’ you might want t’go out an’ find another job, seein’ as you've got a duty t'the princess,” Applejack said. “Rarity’s doin’ the decorations, Thunderlane and Blossomforth are headin’ up weather control, and Ah think Fluttershy is with the birds for music. Which one do ya want t’do?”

“Well, none of us can do weather,” Twilight said, mentally running and re-running through the options. “Rarity…” She thought of the boutique and mentally shuddered. “I think I’ll go see Fluttershy. It’s at least worth a try. Hop on, Spike.”

Spike climbed up onto her back, and Applejack got to her hooves.

“Ah think Ah’ll head back t’the library,” she said. “If that’s okay with you, Twilight.”

“It’s perfectly fine,” Twilight said. “Just as long as you have those papers I made out yesterday.”

Applejack’s mouth twisted to the side sheepishly.

“You don’t, do you?”

“No.”

“Alright then.” Twilight closed her eyes and focused intently. A moment later there was a flash of purple-pink light inside Twilight’s saddlebag. Twilight opened it and removed the recently-teleported manumission papers.

“There. Take those and―” Twilight reached her telekinetic grasp back into the saddlebag. When she didn’t immediately find what she was searching for, she began to rummage around for it. There were fifteen bits in here when I left the library… fifteen bits… She rummaged around a bit more. What happened?

“Twilight?”

Twilight looked up. “What?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I had fifteen bits with me when I left the library,” Twilight said, diving back into her bag. “Now they’re gone.”

Applejack also peered into the saddlebag. “You’re sure y’didn’t do anythin’ with ’em?”

“I’m positive! And I would have felt it if somepony had used a teleportation spell to get them out.”

“Then you, sugarcube, have had your first encounter with a pickpocket,” Applejack said, nodding sagely. “The only question is who did it.”

Only then did Twilight’s analytical mind connect the dots and find the answer.

“Rarity.”

Applejack cocked her head. “I’m assumin’ you know who it was?”

“Yes, I do. And she is not going to get away with it!” Twilight dropped the manumission papers in front of Applejack and raced out of Sugar Cube Corner with Spike still on her back.

In but a few seconds she had reached Carousel Boutique. She rushed inside and managed to skid to a stop right in front of her unicorn foe.

Rarity turned to look at her with a mildly surprised look on her face. “My goodness, darling,” she said. “Back already? I know my designs are simply lovely, but really, I didn’t expect―”

“You.” Twilight narrowed her eyes and lifted her hoof to point at Rarity. “You robbed me.”

“Me?” To her credit, the elegant unicorn was an excellent liar. “You’re accusing me of stealing? The nerve!”

“Yes, I am accusing you of stealing!” Twilight declared.  “And I’m asking you to return what you stole before I call the guard on you!”

“Really, darling, don’t you think you’re overreacting just a bit?” Rarity levitated a hairbrush and began to pull it through her already-perfect hair. “I mean, your dragon there doesn’t seem to have any problems with me.”

“Wha―Spike?” Twilight twisted her head around and caught her assistant staring at Rarity with wide, unmoving eyes. Oh, for Celestia’s sake― “Spike, snap out of it! She’s a thief!”

“But she’s so… beautiful…”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t matter. You―” She turned and lowered her head to point her softly-glowing horn at Rarity. “Give me back my money. Now.”

“Fine. If you insist.” There was a bright flash of light blue light, and a pile of exactly fifteen bits appeared in front of Twilight. “There you are. It’s not as if I need it.”

“Tha―wait, what?” Twilight stopped mid-movement to stare up at Rarity, and then held that position for several moments as she tried to deduce the reason behind Rarity’s actions. “If you don’t need the money…” It pained her to have to ask anything of a thief like Rarity, but at this point she didn’t see any other options. “Why did you steal it in the first place?”

“It’s a bit of a hobby, I suppose,” Rarity answered. “I never intended to keep the bits. Though I didn’t expect you to come barging in here.” She levitated a small gem and began toying with it as she spoke. “Oh, and calling the guard really won’t work on me, darling. Ever heard of the Belles?”

“The Belles…” Then everything clicked in Twilight’s mind and she stared at Rarity with unrestrained shock. “Sappire Glow DeBelle. The daughter that was exiled for... you’re Sapphire Glow DeBelle?”

“Yes,” was the simply answer. “Though I do prefer Rarity. Much less of a tongue-twister. Now, did you need anything else…?”

“N―no,” Twilight stammered. My mind is officially blown. “I guess we’ll be leaving now…” Stunned, she turned and trotted slowly out of the boutique.

Rarity turned away from the door and levitated a design sketch to cover her smile.

“If you could see me now, sister,” she murmured, glancing momentarily upwards. “You’d be proud. Everything you taught me…” She levitated another paper and then turned towards a mannequin covered in a half-finished dress. “Now. Rubies…”

Fluttershy

Now that she’d gotten her money back from the thief Rarity, Twilight headed toward the forest. She’d heard a lot of gossip about a pony who lived in the woods, and feared nearly everyone. After hearing Applejack’s mentioning Fluttershy, and something about the forest, the violet unicorn put two and two together.

“Come, Spike,’ said the unicorn, picking up her assistant by the tail and putting him on her back.

The baby dragon struggled at first, for he yearned to be with the beautiful thief, but he soon realized his mentor would not turn him loose. Reluctantly, he obeyed the violet unicorn.

“Hold on tight,” warned the mare.

Spike firmly grasped her mane, and Twilight raced toward the Everfree. At the very edge, she slowed. Was that singing she heard?

Peering through some thick bushes, Twilight witnessed a smallish yellow pegasus, teaching some birds to sing in a choir.

Judging by the dirt on the yellow mare’s fur and tangled mane, she was obviously very poor, obviously a peasant mare. Yet, there was a beauty to this mare, subtle though it was. Emanating from her, Twilight could also sense a deep kindness.

Convinced that the yellow pegasus was not a threat, Twilight approached her.

“W-who are you? W-why are, um, you h-h-here?” stammered the pastel mare, seemingly scared out of her mind.

“My name is Twilight Sparkle,” announced the lavender unicorn. “Princess Celestia sent me here-”

Before the lavender mare could finish, the yellow pegasus paled, then turned and fled , leaving nothing but a trail of tears in her wake.

“What? Another pony doesn’t trust me? Why did she panic? Why’s she so afraid?” muttered Twilight.

She attempted to follow where the pegasus went, but the yellow mare knew these trails much better than the unicorn; after all, the woods seemed to be the pegasus ’s home.

After being whipped in the face by a few dozen branches, tripping over countless twisted roots, and having her assistant get knocked off her back numerous times, the unicorn gave up. She turned back toward Ponyville, but then she heard, in the far distance, singing.

The voice of the singer was beautiful, almost mystical, and Twilight followed, as if bewitched.

Again, she halted, this time at the edge of a secluded clearing, with a small cottage in the center.

The building was made of wood, mud, and grass, and a small garden was in front of it. What really caught Twilight’s eye, however, was the huge variety of animals, all relaxing around the clearing. And in the center of it all was Fluttershy. The light yellow pegasus had her eyes shut, and was singing an old folk song that told of an ancient forest goddess, from a tale older than even the Alicorn Sisters.

Snow White, Snow White, o Lady clear!

O Queen beyond the Western seas!

O Light to us that wander here

Amid the world of woven trees!

Gilthonel, a Elbereth!

Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!

Snow White, Snow White, we sing to thee

In a far land beyond the sea!

O stars that in that sunless year

With shining hand by her were sown

In windy fields now bright and clear

We see your silver blossom blown!

Elbereth a Gilthonel!

We still remember, we who dwell

In this far land beneath the trees,

Thy starlight on the Western seas!

As Fluttershy sang, the entranced Twilight stepped out of her hiding place, edging closer as the beautiful voice continued, and by the time the song ended, Twilight was almost muzzle to muzzle with the skittish mare.

As Fluttershy opened her eyes, the lavender unicorn found herself drowning in two turquoise blue seas.

Fluttershy yelped and darted inside her cottage, crying out, “Don’t hurt me! I don’t have any money or valuables! Please, leave me alone!”

“Easy,” Twilight called after her, “I won’t hurt you!”

By this point, Fluttershy had barricaded herself in her cottage, peering out through a small window.

“Why should I trust you? How do I know you aren’t a collector, or worse, one of those nobles who come out here to torment me because of my poverty?”

“ I’m not here to hurt you, Fluttershy! I just heard you singing, and it was so beautiful, I had to come closer and listen.”

“Oh…” At this, the pegasus opened her door, if only a fraction. “I-I didn’t know. W-what do you want?”

“I was sent here to make friends, and Applejack told me to come and see you .”

“Applejack? I knew her when we were both young, not much more than foals! How is she?”

“She’s a slave…”

At this, Fluttershy’s eyes went wide for a moment, before rolling back into her head, as she passed out on the floor.

Twilight had no idea what to do- she half-heartedly poked the unconscious mare with a hoof, then patiently sat down nearby.

After a few minutes, Fluttershy woke up.

“I hate slavery,” hissed the yellow mare. “I was almost taken as a foal, but I got away. Where is Applejack?”

“She’s with me; I tried to set her free, but she refused, on the grounds that I paid for her, and therefore I should keep her.”

“That sounds like her- noble, brave, and honest- if a little too stubborn for her own good. But if you set her free- I guess I can trust you. But pray, what would a Canterlot noble want with a simple peasant like me?”

“ How’d you know I was from Canterlot?”

“ You’ve quite a distinctive accent. But tell me, where is Applejack? And if you’ve seen her, have you seen another of my foalhood friends- Rainbow Dash? While I lived in Cloudsdale, before I fell to earth, Rainbow was my guardian- she kept me safe. Then she met the Wonderbolt foals- things went downhill pretty quickly after that. I got kicked out of Cloudsdale because of my weak wings, and Rainbow was busy with the Wonderbolts, so she couldn’t stop them that time… I fell from Cloudsdale, but, thankfully, a farm pony saved me- Applejack. Only- when I fell, I lost the use of my wings. I can’t fly…”

“Not at all? That must be horrible..”

“I can fly a little, but not too high or too long. Oh, and I can flutter! But that’s about all…”

“Oh… Listen, Fluttershy, some of your friends are at the Ponyville library. Would you like to come visit them?”

“Oh yes, I would like that very much!”

The yellow mare said something in a strange language, which Twilight recognized from her studies as the Common Tongue of all wild animals.

“I told my dear animal friends I will be gone for a while, but I will return. Please, show me to the library so I can see Applejack and Rainbow!”

Twilight nodded, and started back to Ponyville- or at least, she thought she did. However, not more than 5 minutes later, they found themselves back at the cottage. Twilight didn’t know her way around; she was going in circles.

“Er- perhaps you should lead, Fluttershy…”

The yellow pegasus laughed a little, but immediately apologized, then started down a deer trail.

“This leads to town, though I don’t usually show strangers. But if you know my foalhood friends and they trust you, you’ve proven your worth. But please, don’t ever tell anyone about my way home!”

Twilight nodded and the two ponies headed for town.

After a while, the two made it to a regular trail, which turned into a road, and eventually led them right to the edge of town, where a large crowd was gathering...

Pinkie Pie

“We’ll never get back to the library in this,” mused Spike.

Twilight was struck silent; she had never seen a crowd this big, not even in Canterlot- it was a sea of pastel colored ponies.

“W-what’s going on..?” Fluttershy stammered.

The pegasus mare seemed to be trying to sink into the ground; she cowered behind Twilight.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out,” replied the unicorn.

Fluttershy slunk away, toward the trees, until Twilight caught her by the tail.

“Come on, Fluttershy! Let’s go see! I don’t think they’re hostile.”

The pegasus whimpered and shut her eyes, though she did not struggle.

Twilight pushed her way through the crowd, not noticing the cutting stares given by the villagers. Apparently they were not sure what to think of this spectacle- a unicorn mare with a dragon cub on her back, dragging a smaller pegasus by the tail.

Finally, the lavender mare reached to the front of the crowd, and halted before a huge stage.

A pink pony zipped across the stage towards her.

“Hiii, new pony!” yelled the pink mare, crouching until she was almost muzzle-to-muzzle with Twilight.

She then turned back to the audience. She bowed low, then went running off.

“Bet’cha can’t catch me!” she yelled at Twilight, then continued her flight, knocking down carts and barrels to impede Twilight’s chase.

Not knowing what else to do, Twilight turned Fluttershy loose, then galloped after the strange pony. She didn’t notice the pegasus mare slinking away until she heard a frightened yell.

Startled, the unicorn reared up, knocking Spike off her back, and raced toward the cry.

When she saw what was happening, she froze. Fluttershy was on the ground, injured and scared, and a unicorn stallion stood over her, hoof poised over her head.

“Get out of here, beggar!” snarled the unicorn. “Your kind are not welcome in Equestria!”

“Leave her alone!” Twilight growled, charging at the attacker and blasting him with a bolt of magic. The unicorn went flying, and Twilight helped Fluttershy up.

“Looks like we have a peasant-lover out here,” growled another unicorn. “It’s disgraceful- a unicorn fraternizing with a pegasus, and a peasant one at that. What next- making friends with the hornless, wingless, down-right useless earth ponies?”

Fluttershy seemed to shrink as the unicorn spoke, and Twilight stood protectively over her.

“Just get out of here, peasant-lover!” snapped the first unicorn.

Twilight growled, but decided not to waste her time fighting like some common street rat. Instead, she signalled the pegasus to follow her, and continued chasing the bard.

“I see you’ve met the locals,’’ said the bard from behind. “Not all of them are bad, just some of them. By the way… PARTY!!! Oh yeah, my name is Pinkie Pie, by the way, a traveling singer. Pleased to meet ya.”

The bard pony set off a party cannon, and in seconds, the entire town square- not to mention Twilight’s mane and tail- was covered in confetti and streamers.

“Free food, everyone!” yelled Pinkie, jumping up on a table covered in cakes, pies, and other sweets.

Twilight and Fluttershy had to hide under the table to avoid the ensuing stampede- apparently treats made ponies forget their prejudices. The bard pony appeared next to them, smacking Twilight in the face with a banana cream pie.

“What was that for?” asked Twilight

“For fun, silly! Here, I grabbed some for you!”

The pink pony gave Fluttershy, Spike, and Twilight some fancy-looking cakes, then lowered her voice to a whisper.

“I’ll help you guys get out of here. The natives aren’t going to like you, because they saw you’re friends with a pegasus, and a peasant one at that. Once you finish, follow me. I know a secret way out- a bard always needs a plan B if the crowd are… less than thrilled.”

“Ok,” replied Twilight, voice muffled through a mouthful of cake.

Once the three mares and dragon were done, Pinkie pushed down on a seemingly-innocent looking stone, and a tunnel with stairs leading down opened up beneath her.

“Follow me,” said Pinkie, heading down the stairs. “Once the trapdoor closes, you can tell me where you want to go.”

Soon, the sounds of the party had faded away, and there was a creaking as the stone slid back into place.

“Now then, where are you three headed?” asked Pinkie, back to her old chipper self.

“The Ponyville library. Applejack is waiting for us.”

“I knew an Applejack when I was still a foal,” said Pinkie. “We used to be best friends- until she got taken and we were separated. She’s at the library? Well, come on!”

At this, the pink mare turned down a side tunnel. After what seemed like hours of walking, they were led to another stairwell with a lever at the top. When she pushed the lever, yet another stone moved, and the four found themselves blinking in the bright sunlight. They were standing right in front of the library.

“Let’s go inside,” said Twilight.

As soon as she opened the door, she and the other two ponies had to deal with a very enthusiastic Applejack practically knocking them down. The slave pony was so glad to see her old friends, she charged and hugged them.

The Nightmare's Return Part 1 (Edit in progress)

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The Nightmare's Return Part 2 (Edit in progress)

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