Nightmare Free Equestria

All of the other ponies in the room stared at Princess Luna as she finished giving them the basic story of how she came to be here.

"Wow," Scootaloo said, staring wide-eyed.

"Fascinating," Time Turner stated.

"Very," Twilight Sparkle agreed. "I've heard tell of inter-dimensional travel, but have never even found a spell about it. I didn't think I would ever meet a pony that had done so."

"Hold on," Rainbow Dash said, raising a hoof. "Do you mean to tell me that Discord is a good guy in your world?"

"...'Good' would not be the accurate term," Luna answered after thinking a moment. "More accurately he has become a benign nuisance as opposed to a blatant threat. It is unlikely that his nature would ever allow him to become a benevolent being. He has not been too problematic since his release"

"Excuse me," Trixie said, pushing past Princess Luna and leaving the room. The pale blue unicorn padded along the hall, head low and ears drooping.

"Princess?" Twilight asked, regaining Luna's attention. "How, exactly did my friends and I defeat Discord in your reality?"

"Did I not say?" Luna asked as her attention was brought back to the moment. "It was the same way you were able to defeat Nightmare Moon and free us from the darkness. You and your friends were able to harness the powers of The Elements of Harmony."

"What are the Elements of Harmony?" Twilight tilted her head curiously.

"They...." the princess blinked, her mouth hanging open a moment. One of her ears gave a twitch as her brain shifted. Information moved and twisted in through her thoughts, one slipping into place with another as they fell together like puzzle pieces. It was making her feel so foolish for never having realized it sooner.

Twilight Sparkle, Time Turner, Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo watched as they saw something none of them had ever seen before in their lives.

Princess Luna slapped herself in the face with one of her hooves and let out a groan.

"Uh..." Rainbow Dash moved closer. "Are you okay?"

"We are feeling foolish," Princess Luna replied. "Everything is making sense, and as such seems obvious that we should have realized it sooner."

"Realized what?" Time Turner asked.

"The escape of Discord was... unexpected," Luna stated. "It had been The Elements of Harmony that was able to return him to his petrified state. However, The Elements were collected by my world's Twilight Sparkle and her friends as Celestia was expecting Nightmare Moon's return."

"So if we follow your thinking," Twilight continued, "then in our world, The Elements of Harmony were never collected because Nightmare Moon was not going to return."

"Correct." Luna moved closer to the table. "Did your Princess Celestia and Princess Luna disappear before his escape was known."

Twilight turned to look at Time Turner.

"I can check some time tables to be sure," the stallion answered, "but from what I recall, they were close in time, yes."

"Why do you want to know that?" Rainbow Dash asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Imagine yourself in Discord's position," Luna said. "There is a single known power which is capable of defeating you, and the location of such is known to only two ponies, the same ones that defeated you before. You are finally released from imprisonment, what would you do, Rainbow Dash?"

"That seems kind of obvious," Dash replied. "I would make sure that.... nopony could use the weapon on me..."

"And if only two ponies know of its location?" Luna turned to the others.

"Then I would have to make sure that they are unable to get to the item, or tell any ponies of its location," Time Turner concluded.

"Does that mean Discord killed the princess?" Twilight asked, eyes wide.

"Doubtful, but uncertain." Luna shifted. "The Discord we...I... am familiar with was not one who would resort to such an act. More likely he would keep them close to him, but in a state where they cannot be a threat. However, as this is not my world, I cannot say for certain."

"Okay," Time Turner rubbed his forehead as he thought. "So if we follow this pattern of events... Discord broke free, potentially captured the princesses and set up his new kingdom in Ponyville."

"Why Ponyville though?" Scootaloo asked.

"I would like to know that too," Twilight said. "Any idea, princess?"

"I believe I know the reason," Luna answered. "However, I would like to hear the rest of events that has led up to our current situation. Please, Time Turner, continue."

"Okay." Time Turner nod and looked down at the map again. "So, he comes to Ponyville, and some of us manage to escape, taking refuge here in Canterlot.

"Rumors of a threat to Canterlot begin, which turns out to be the changelings. Their queen manages to sneak in with a disguise." He gives a look toward Twilight who is staring at the map. "Eventually they are able to take down the protective barrier and fully invade. Some time later, something happens up north."

"Speaking of," Rainbow said, "do you know what, Princess Luna?"

"Yes," the princess answered, "and I believe I have sufficient information for the time being." Her horn began to glow with magic. Using it, she picked up what looked to be a pencil.

"In regard to Discord's choice in location." She pointed at Ponyville, then slid the pencil toward a spot that indicated a large population of trees. "Prior to the construction of Canterlot, my sister and I had our castle homed in The Everfree Forest. In my world, it was at this location that The Elements remained until they were collected to defeat Nightmare Moon."

"So, The Elements of Harmony are still in The Everfree Forest?" Twilight asked, looking at the location.

"Unless your princesses chose to move them for some reason," Luna stated. "It was banishing me in my corrupted state which led Princess Celestia to loose a connection with The Elements." She shifted and thought. "Alternatively, The Elements have a connection to the Forest in a way. I believe we will have to go with the idea of 'it's a place to start.'"

"What are The Elements?" Scootaloo asked.

"They are six jewels that embody the powers created by harmony: honesty, loyalty, laughter, kindness, and generosity."

"But that's only five," Twilight interjected.

"Yes," Luna looked at the purple unicorn. "That is because it is up to you to discover the sixth element."

"Me?"

"Correct. The power of the five I have mentioned will create a spark that shall reveal the sixth. If you are to be the bearer in this world as you were in mine, that it will be up to you to discover the sixth element in your quest."

"What am I supposed to do?" Twilight asked. The mare crouched down, trying to hide behind the table.

"You mission is a great challenge," Luna stated, "but easy to explain. You will need to lead five of the ponies you trust most, five you think of as friends, into The Everfree Forest to the castle and get The Elements of Harmony."

"Why can't you do it?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You seem to know a lot about them, and you are a princess."

"That is true," Luna agreed, "and it is possible that I could. There is unfortunately a major flaw with that concept. In order to work, the bearers of the Elements all need to be together for them to work."

"So?"

"So, tell me Rainbow Dash, what would happen if I were to return to my own world?"

"I don't know."

"Nor do I." Luna looked up toward the ceiling as she thought. "I imagine that the best case scenario would be that they would not work until a new bearer could be found."

"What would the worst case scenario be?" Time Turner asked.

"That the Element I bear travels with me when I leave this world," Luna answered, "making it nearly impossible for them to be reunited and thus, rendering forever unusable."

The other four ponies stared at Luna in silence, letting the possibility sink in. Finally, Twilight Sparkle broke the silence.

"Okay. So I will need to collect five friends and try to find the castle and The Elements of Harmony.... But... What do you mean my mission? What will you be doing?"

"My mission shall be a more immediate danger," Princess Luna stated as she pointed at the map. "After all, if you are to make it to the castle and back, it will be necessary to keep Discord distracted."