Chaos Lands: The Quest For Harmony

Chapters

Chapter 1: Introduction to Chaos
Chapter 2: Ponyville and Revalations
Chapter 3: Truth and Confectionaries
Chapter 4: Backstory and Honesty
Chapter 5: Just Desserts and Entrance into Everfree
Chapter 6: Wyrms and Words
Chapter 7: Changelings and Cannons
Chapter 8: Road Trip!- or Sky Trip?
Chapter 9: Fletcher's Quest and the Fall of Everfree

Chapter 1: Introduction to Chaos

Once Upon a time, In the Magical Land of Chaotica, there was a great King who ruled the land with an iron fist.

To maintain power, he used his magic to control the rise of the sun and moon, but also the change of seasons, the tides, and all other natural occurrences.

Though not perfect, the King was just as he was cruel. And so, the land was kept quiet, if not peaceful.

But as time went on, some of the king’s subjects began to wonder if his power was truly as great as he claimed. And so, two sisters created the Armor of Chaos; a suit designed to withstand all the chaos the great king could throw at them. The two sisters donned separate pieces of the armor and went forth to battle the king.

The Elder sister took the chest plate, while the younger sister took the headgear and leg plates. So clad, they challenged the King of Chaos to a duel of magic. Armed as they were, the King knew he had no chance of winning: the armor was too powerful, embedded as it was with enchantments. So he cheated. While the two sisters were preparing to fight him, he had an assassin creep up behind the elder sister, and kill her. The poisoned blade took her life within minutes. The younger sister, not powerful enough to wear both pieces of armor, became a statue in the Kings garden…

“And thus, the discontent was wiped out forever, and Chaotica has maintained it ever since." The young purple pony turned the final page with her magic and closed the book she had been reading. The sun was now shining overhead, but after a few seconds, the moon suddenly rose. In the darkening night, she trotted back to her room in the Chaos Castle.

“Hmmm. The Armor of Chaos. I know I’ve heard of that before. But where.”

Starlight entered her room in the tallest tower, ignoring the various glances that ponies gave her along the way. As one of the few alicorns left in Chaotica, she received her share of odd looks, but she was used to them by now.

“Scales? SCALES!!” She called. A small black and red dragon emerged from the shadows under her book shelves. His yellowed eyes blinked sideways as he looked at her.

“Whatttttt isssss it…” He hissed. “I was napping…”

“Yes, well, I have need of you. Go to my personal library and fetch me the book titled Equestria; Fact or Fiction.”

“Humph”. Scales grunted. He resented being bound to Starlight, but she was his master, as decreed by King Chaos. He went into the back room, into an even larger library, and climbed to the top of a ladder propped agaist one of the shelves. In a sealed case was a leather bound book with a gold unicorn on the front with blue gems for eyes, or rather, one eye. Scales had eaten the other one as a prank. Starlight had never found him out. He dutifully retrieved the book, and set it on the pedestal for Starlight to read.

“Hmmm, Armor of Chaos.” She muttered as she read the index. “Aha! Here it is.” She flipped through the book until she came to a chapter called the Elements of Harmony. On it was a picture of a tall white alicorn and a smaller blue one. The description of the picture was 'The Sisters who fought King Chaos.' Starlight looked both angry and sad as she gazed at the picture. She was conflicted. As the king’s most faithful student in Chaosalot, she was bound to believe he was right, and yet, there was something so happy about the two Sisters.

“Now.” She said, as she began reading, “The Elements of Harmony were the sisters first attempt to stifle the kings’ power. They represented the 6 most powerful forces known to pony kind; Magic, Laughter, Honesty, Generosity, Loyalty, and Kindness. However, when the 6 elements failed, the sisters narrowed it down to two; Magic and Power. Power encompassed all the rest of the elements, but something went wrong.”

Starlight turned the page. “The Elements were not meant to be contained in small gems, and broke free. They became 6 ponies, who used their powers to break the Kings' Power, and trap him, for what they thought to be forever. However, the King waited for the right time. After hundreds of years, a Queen of Equestria proved to be weaker than her predecessors. She wanted power; The King promised her such, and she released him. Once free, he quickly restored the land to order. Those who opposed him did not last long."

Starlight looked again at the Elements of Harmony. The gems did look fragile; but could they really have turned into ponies? It seemed unlikely. But stranger things had happened. She continued reading.

“The ponies spread far and wide to hide their powers. No one knows what happened to Magic, but the rest of the powers were passed down through generations: Laughter echoed through the Colossal Hills, Kindness retreated into the Darkness of the Everfree Forest, Honesty traveled to Ponyville, Generosity went to the Diamond Caves, and Loyalty flew into the clouds, to travel the skies.” Starlight considered these facts while she pondered what to do next.

Scales yawned, and then suddenly spewed purple fire. In it was a scroll, addressed with the Royal Seal. He unrolled the scroll, but Starlight used her magic to float it over. She read the following message aloud:

“Starlight, you presence is requested in the royal chambers. The King has an urgent matter to discuss.” When she finished, Starlight re-rolled the scroll.

“Scales, I’m going to be late tonight. The King has requested my audience.” She went down the stairs, calling over her shoulder, “And be a good dragon!” Then smiled wickedly, knowing her advice would mean something would be broken when she got back.

She arrived in the throne room promptly, and bowed to the guards, who let her inside. The Chaos guard was the best in Chaotica. It had never failed, and many were handpicked by the King himself.

“Enter Starlight, the King is worried.” They said in unison as she trotted inside. There, at the far end of the room upon a throne made of skulls, pelts, and the twisted remains of the old throne, sat the King of Chaos.

You would know him better as

Discord.

Chapter 2: Ponyville and Revalations

“Ah, Starlight. I trust you have received my message?” Discord said, pleased.

“Yes, Lord, and I came as soon as I could. What do you want of me?” She bowed.

“Ah, Starlight, my favorite pupil… come with me. The king has to show you something.”

With that and a wink, the two vanished in a puff of cotton candy smoke. They re-appeared in a damp little room, with a large…something…in the middle. Starlight used her magic to illuminate the room, and gasped. The pony looked just like and older version of herself, but with one exception; her cutie mark. The pony frozen in stone had a star, surrounded by other stars. Starlights’ was a large wand, topped with a dark star crystal. She had become one of the most accomplished battle ponies before retiring. She looked at the pony before her, wondering who it was.

“That, my young friend, is your only relative.” Discord said, answering her question. “Starlight, meet Twilight…The Original Element of Magic. One of the few foolish to oppose me during the Days of Order.” He sighed.

“Now, I suppose you are wondering why I called you here. Well, plain and simple, Twilight has not been as quiet as I would hope. She moves. Look.” Discord prodded the statue, and a glowing light emitted from the horn, nullifying the movement that otherwise would have caused the statue to topple. The glowing subsided, but Starlight still felt the power of the older pony.

“Well, now you know…Your great lord is not all powerful. I can’t even keep a 500 year old pony quiet.” Discord sighed again. “Now, here is your mission.” Starlight looked up in eagerness. “I want you to go to a barracks town called Ponyville. I’m having the statue transferred there. There’s a large source of magic that I can use to suppress Twilights own. Just make sure everything is in order.” He turned to go, the remembered that he never installed a door. Teleporting was much easier.
Instead, both he and Starlight vanished in a puff of coffee.

Starlight prepared to travel to Ponyville. She had seen the town before, traveling with the Chaos Guard, but only at a great distance, and from a great height. When she returned, she found, just as she expected, a vase was shattered, and Scales was nowhere to be seen. She found him sleeping under the stairs, as usual. She prodded him awake, and he grunted and rolled over. She finally used a magical bolt of lightning, just a small one, to wake him up.

“OW!” whattttttt….grrrr.” he growled. “What is sssssso important you has to wakeee meeee.”

“We’re moving.” Starlight said shortly. “Pack the most important books, and the essentials.”
Scales grumbled, but did as he was told. Within a few minutes the two of them stood in the center of the room. A tall gray pony entered the room.

“Starlight, you are ready?” Said the gray pony.

“Yes, Count Hoof. Ready” She stilled herself for the shock she expected. Only the King could teleport painlessly. There were perks to being the King of Chaos.

“One…two…three!” Count Hoof called. There was a flash of dull light, and Starlight, Scales and luggage were whisked away to the town of pony ville.
When she arrived, Starlight opened her eyes. She was in a large hall of some kind, decorated with tapestries depicting the fall of Order, and the rise of Chaos. Scales immediately began nibbling on one, but she cuffed him with her hoof.

“Are you Starlight?” A gruff voice from the shadows addressed her.

“Yes, I am sir. And you are…” She paused.

“General Rock,” came the reply. “Pleased ta meet’cha.” A formidable pony revealed itself from the shadows. General rock stood a good hand and head taller than Starlight, and his well-built shoulders were covered with armor plating, as were his legs. He had a moustache that grayed at the edges, but his eyes showed that it was from experience rather than age. Well, one eye. The other was covered by a patch. His close cropped main showed his military experience, as did the scars along each flank, and under the plating.

“I’ll be showin’ ya to yer quarters. Follow me please.” He turned and walked away, and Starlight saw what accounted for the strange noise his back leg made; it was wooden.
“Will the dragon be needin’ anything?” Rock asked.

“No, he’s fine.” Starlight said before Scales could reply that he would like some raw steak. He grumbled. Rock lead Starlight and her companion to the guest hall. It was a sight to behold. Everything was detailed as Starlight had wanted; large empty shelves for her books, a bed for Scales, where she could keep an eye on him, and a large fire place, above which hung a magic mirror. It was here she could communicate with Discord without having to rely on fire-scrolls.

“If ya be needin’ anything, da not hesitate ta ask one of the Earth Ponies.” He bowed and left, he wooden leg creaking eerily. Starlight began unpacking her book and using magic to sort them onto the shelves. Scales immediately curled up into a ball and fell asleep, in the fireplace…

Starlight looked at the dragon admonishingly, but decided against moving him. He looked quiet, and that was the only time he was. She picked up the copy of “Equestria; Fact Or Fiction?”, and continued reading.

Discords first act as leader of the new land was to abolish the old order. Chaos was the new way to live, and so nothing in Equestria, renamed Choatica, was the same from day to day.

Suddenly, the page stopped. A new script formed on the page where words extolling Discord once were. Starlight read the new page with excitement and apprehension.

Dear Reader;

I do not know who you are, or what has become of our quest to end Chaos.

Starlight knew she should stop right there, but something compelled her to continue.

If our quest has succeeded, then stop now. Your life is as it should be.

If however, Chaos has regained a foothold, or even worse, taken full control, then certain steps must be taken to ensure it is locked away forever.

The Elements of Harmony must be found and reunited. With them you can subdue Chaos into submission. If this succeeds, you must trap him inside the Armor of Chaos. Only then will Chaos truly be contained.

But here is the important point; CHAOS CANNOT BE DESTROYED. It matters not how evil he is, or what he has done to Equestria. He is part of the balance, and that balance cannot be disturbed.

The armor is a powerful magical force in of itself, but combined with the Elements of Harmony, It can be unstoppable.

Under NO circumstances should discord discover the whereabouts of the Elements! If they are not found, or worse, found by the wrong side, Chaos could rule forever, and Equestria will be covered by 1000 years of darkness.

(Authors note: actually, with further research, I have discovered it is only 962.)

Go, young pony, who-ever you may be. Equestria depends on you.

Signed,

Twilight Sparkle.

Chapter 3: Truth and Confectionaries

Starlight stared at the page for a moment before slamming the book shut. She was confused. Her world was becoming complicated, and she lived with the King of Chaos! It was too much. If the kind, gentle Draconicicus she knew was not as he seemed, then she needed to do some serious thinking.

If she went with her upbringing, then she must disregard everything that this crazy pony, Twillight sparkle, said about Discord, he best friend and mentor. And yet, if what she said was true, then Discord was a powerful and maniacal being, and with such power as the armor and EoH could offer, he truly would take over all the world for 1000…962 years.

NO, she could not let that happen! He world wasn’t perfect, and Discord flew into odd rages now and again, but she could live with that!...wait.

Suddenly, she made a connection between the strange fits Discord had been having with the rise of Twilight’s power. It was clear now that she remained stone as long as he wished it. But no creature lives forever, and in his ancient days, Discord could not keep his power diverted to so many outlets; Chaos took so much energy, and the King was not what he once was.

Starlight considered the fact that Twilight was telling the truth. But one point made no sense to her; why would the king, lord of Chaos, keep the ancestor of his greatest enemy in the same palace.

The answer came to her in a flash, as an old saying; “Keep your friend close, and your enemies closer.” Discord was keeping an eye on his student, making sure she had no plans against him! Well, if she chose to believe this Twilight, then the first thing she must do is find the Elements of Harmony, and then recover the Armor of Chaos!

But first, she needed to make sure that all the preparations were in place for the statues’ arrival. She fell asleep, into a dark and restless dream world of Chaos versus Order. The Sisters captured Discord and entombed him in the armor, but he broke free and used its power to destroy a great city. She gasped in her dream as she recognized the Old part of Chaosalot. Buildings ruined, ponies running in fear, and fire. Fire Everywhere. OH GOD THE FIRE, IT WAS BACK, HER PARENTS-

She awoke in a cold sweat, chilled to be reminded of her parents. Discord was her mentor; “Her parents were nothing”, she chided herself. “Everything you are is from Discords teachings.”

And yet…Twilight Sparkles letter, passed down through centuries, was a wakeup call. She could no longer live in the shadow of a great being. An old god had arisen, and now…

“Now, He must FALL!” whispered Starlight, with an expression that had been passed down to her from Twilight. The maniacal grin faded from her face as she realized that if she did anything out of the ordinary, Discord would suspect something. She decided to continue with her normal life until she could fins an excuse to leave. She fell back into an uneasy sleep.

Discord looked at the sleeping alicorn, and laughed quietly to himself.

“She wants to over throw the King of Chaos? Well, I may not be the ORGINAL Chaos, but I have a few tricks up my sleeves.” He snapped his fingers, and a small Earth Pony appeared beside him. He placed his finger on his head before the pony could react, and the pony’s eyes glazed over and his coat lost its glossy brown sheen.

“Go and unlock the Forgotten Door. Some pony needs to be reminded of her place.” He grinned as the dazed pony walked away. “I haven’t had to open the Forgotten Door in ages! Oh, Starlight. You were fun for a while, but now…you assume too much. I am not overthrown so easily.” He sighed again.

“Well, who shall we send in first…nothing to difficult, but perhaps…AHA!” He brightened and snapped his fingers. A huge, fat pony appeared behind him. Its mane, which covered its eyes, was long and tangled, and a dull dark green. His hide was a dull orange, and was matted with filth and grime; the cutie mark was a bag of garbage. You could SEE the stench rise off of him in waves, and flies in the area dropped dead. This was no ordinary Pony…

“Hello, Gluttony.” Discord smiled. “Ready for some FUN?” He smiled wickedly, his snaggle tooth protruding above the rest of his teeth.

Gluttony hogged a Louie. “You know it, Boss!” He reared on his hind legs and slammed into the ground. A huge pit opened, and inside was a huge collection of sweets and deserts, but at a nod from Gluttony, they decayed into a mass of mold and disgust.

“Excellent! Here is your assignment!” Discord said gleefully as he snapped his fingers, producing a picture of Starlight. “Get rid of her.”

“Okie Dokie, Boss.” Gluttony replied. He waddled away, but since there was no door, he ignored the wall and walked through it, leaving a large hole. Discord snapped his finger and the wall repaired itself, even though now it was made of cookie dough. He began to laugh as he pondered how Gluttony would take care of his troublesome student…

Chapter 4: Backstory and Honesty

I suppose before we continue, some explanations are required.

If you are wondering who I am, stop. It is not important who is telling you this. All you need know is that I know much about this history of Equestria. And so I have a short tale to interject here.

The Forgotten Door.

Some locks should not be opened; some doors should remain shut. The Forgotten door was one such portal. It opened into a lost dimension, a horrible one. It was a relic of the ancient days, when True Chaos ruled the land. True Chaos was not content to flip houses, or change the rain to chocolate.

True Chaos…was hungry.

And so he traveled the world, consuming everything in his path, and making slaves of the ones who agreed to serve him who wanted to live. It was then that Divinity interfered. Celestia and Luna arrived from a different world, and used their magic to separate the True Chaos into its main components.

Gluttony.

Greed.

Wrath.

Lust.

Sloth.

Envy.

And Pride.

These Elements of Chaos were subdued by the Sisters and forced into retreating into a different world. To ensure that they didn’t try to escape, Luna and Celesita placed their own special enchantment on the door; only during an eclipse could the door be opened, with the power of the two sisters combined.
So how was discord able to open the door? Simple; Celestia was dead. The enchantment of Lunas side was not strong enough to hold the door shut, and so he added his own, to make SURE only he could open it. This was a drain on his power, but it meant he could control the Elements of Chaos and summon them to do his bidding. But Discord was careful to only summon one at a time. For if several of the EoC were to meet in the outside, True Chaos would return.

And Discord, for all his jokes, was not evil. He enjoyed a good joke, and his sense of humor was warped, but True Chaos had no time for fun. He needed to eat…

(Return to Reality).

The next morning, Starlight awoke early to the sound of a bell booming 8 times. 8 o’clock. Time for some breakfast! She hopped out of bed and rang the servant’s bell. Within a short time, a white Earth pony with dark splotches on his flanks came trotting in, carrying some breakfast. Behind him trotted General Rock.

“Mornin’, Starlight. I trust yer bed was comfortable?” He grinned. His teeth had been filed to points.

“Yes, very much so. I had a great deal of sleep, and now we should go over today’s schedule.” She said.

“Very well. Shrimp, fetch the plans for the Vault.” Rock turned to the small pony. “And make it snappy!” Shrimp hurried so fast he almost stumbled on his own hooves. However, he returned within a few seconds, carrying a scroll in his mouth. Starlight unfurled it, and saw a large room, not unlike the one discord had built, with the exception of a door and…

‘What is that large orb on the celling?” Starlight queried. Rock looked over her shoulder.

“Oh that? That’s the power supply. Keeps the magic in check. It’s been here fer as long as anypony can remember.” Rock shrugged. “Discord said to make sure the Vault was underneath it. I dunno why, but I don’t question it.” He turned to go.

“Follow me, lady. We have much to see today.”

Starlight followed the stallion outside, where he led her to the site of the Vault. Several Earth ponies were already at work there, constructing the foundations. It was quick work, as there were also several unicorns helping to set the stones in place with magic.

“Well, this appears to be in order. You do a very good job of keeping your town working sir.” Starlight said to Rock. He bowed his head.

“Thank ye, my lady, but it isn’t jerst me. I’ll introduce you to the pony responsible for making sure everything gets done ‘round here.” He turned again and led her to a large villa on the far side of town.

“Crabapple? Are ya’ll in?” he called.

“What ya want?!” Came a harsh voice. “Carn’t ya’ll tell I’m busy!”

Down the stairs came a mare about the same size as Rock, if not larger. Her orange coat was also cut with many scars, and like Rock, Crabapple wore an eye patch. Unlike Rock, however, she had opted for a weapon rather than armor. A large, well-worn battle axe was secured to a leather belt she wore. She also had spurs, which Starlight guessed were part of her rank. Starlight nodded to the new pony, but Crabapple barely acknowledged her.

“Ah told ya, I’ll have them reports when I have the bandit’s heads on a spike!” She spat. As she moved her head back, Starlight noticed a peculiar piece of jewelry she hadn’t seen before. It was a necklace, not very ornate, but embedded in the gold was a large jewel in the shape of an apple. It looked so familiar.
Realization struck her like a thunderbolt. It was Honesty! Somehow, this bad tempered pony had come by honesty. Starlight knew she had to convince the other pony to give it up somehow, but Crabapple still took no notice of her.

“I understan’ Crabapple, but the King wants to know what became of them. It’s not e’ery day the Everfree Gang attacks so boldly.” Rock said.
“Ah know.” Crabapple sighed. “And its bin gittin’ worse. Last week, they took down the supports to the town water supply. Ah had to call in for a fresh supply.”

“Tough Luck, ma’am. Now, this here is Miss. Starlight.” He gestured to Starlight, and Crabapple seemed to notice Starlight for the first time. “she’s in charge of overseein’ the construction of the Vault. Now, ladies, if you’ll excuse me, Ah have ta go and see ta some urgent matters.” He bowed again and walked away, leaving the two mares standing awkwardly in the hall.
Crabapple abruptly turned and walked away, and Starlight trotted after her.

“That’s a very nice piece of jewelry you have there.” Starlight said conversationally. Crabapple looked down at it and grunted.

“Ah guess.” She paused. “What are you really here fer?”
The question threw Starlight off balance. Could this pony know about the Element she carried?

“Um..well…I’m here to oversee the building of-“

“Don’t lie tah me. I cannot abide liars. I run the courts round these parts, so dun’t cross me.” Crabapple snorted. “You’re here for more than old buildings and dead horses aren’t you?” Starlight was forced to nod.

And so Starlight told Crabapple about her fears of Discord, and the message that Twilight Sparkle had written 500 years ago, and her plan to overthrow Chaos. Crabapple listend carefully.

“And yer sure this is what you want to do? Over throw a god that has been in place for 500 years, just to prove some old pony myth true? I gotta say, miss Star, I don’t rightly like the sound of that, and normally, Ah’d be forced to report yah.”

Starlight drew in a sharp breath as she realized she had taken a huge risk trusting Crabapple. She knew nothing about this pony, and he she was, spilling out her darkest secret! But it was done, and it didn’t look like crabapple would say anything.

“Ah say normally, because Ah believe ya. I don’t know why, frankly, but Ah do. Somethin’s been bugging me as much as it’s been buggin’ you. Discord’s power is too much as is. It is time somethin’s done about it!”

“Will you help me then Crabapple?” Starlight asked.

“You betcha you’re damn fancy hooves Ah will!” She and Starlight knocked hooves. “Ah give mah word. And that, little miss, ain’t easily broken.”

It was at that moment that Gluttony broke through the wall, and hocked a louie.

Chapter 5: Just Desserts and Entrance into Everfree

Starlight and Crabapple looked at each other. This was one of Discords tricks, and if he did send this strange pony, then Twilight must be right. They nodded, and Crabapple drew her axe, while Starlight readied her spells.

Gluttony snorted with laughter.

“Ya really think ya’ll can best me? The Glutton? Then BRING IT!” he roared, slamming his filthy hooves onto the floor. It spli into a jagged chasm, revealing the pit of sweets he had summoned before. This time however, the sweets turned into bugs and began crawling up at the two ponies. Crabapple leaped aside, landing solidly on her hooves, while Starlight levitated above the crack, using her magic to spread a fire around the area the 3 ponies were in.

Glutton spat again. “Now listen here, Crabapple. Ah got no quarrel with ya, so back off. It’s this young pony Discord wants.”

“Over my dead body, Glutton!” Crabapple taunted. She spat at his feet. “Now, come and get some! Or has all that eating made you soft?!” She grinned. Gluttony’s eyes grew wide and redden as he snorted like a bull.

Suddenly, he gave a great roar and opened his mouth wider than anything else in the world. It seemed to encompass everything, and would have too, had not Crabapple not thrown a burning piece of wood into it. It stuck inside his mouth, and his tounge, long slimy and snake like, wrapped around it. By th time he removed the wood, the two ponies were gone. He gave a great snort and charged after them down the main hall.

“Quick, in here.” Crabapple panted. She opened a door on their left and shoved Starlight inside. The two ponies panted in the cramped darkness as they heard Gluttony galloping down the halls, bellowing Starlight’s name. Starlight opened the door slightly, and saw a muddy trail of hoof prints going down the hall; the owner was nowhere to be seen.

“Clear” She whispered. Crabapple stuck her axe back into her belt, and the two friends stole out into the hall. Suddenly, they heard a deep chuckling. Both ponies look at the celling in horror. Clinging there like a spider was Gluttony. He had grown even larger and his tongue was hanging out his mouth, like some huge worm. He snapped it out even further and grabbed a candle holder on the side of the hall, and flung it at Starlight. She easily disintegrated it. During that, he dropped down and faced the two.

“Looks like you can’t take it either Crabapple. Now, Starlight, submit!” He said. He prepared to open his mouth as large as it would go. Suddenly, however, a black and red ball appeared in his mouth as it snapped shut. Gluttony looked pleased as he devoured the morsel, and then suddenly froze. Something was wrong. Smoke began coming from his nostrils and out of the corners of his eyes. Starlight smiled as she realized what was happening.

“Go get him, Scales.” She said. The Glutton had eaten Scales, who was now breathing fire. The fire was reacting with the Gluttons stomach gases. If she was correct…

“NOOOOOOOOOO!” Screamed Glutton in horror. Starlight saw the same realization come into his eyes at the same time he burst into pieces. Rotten flesh was spread around the room and a horrible stench filled the air. Crabapple spat again.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish, Ah always said.” She said matter-o-factly.

“We don’t have time for congratulations. We need to find the rest of the elements before Discord realizes that we stopped his minion. Didn’t you say that a gang lived in Everfree? How close are we to it?” Starlight asked.

“Well, only about 20 minutes. We kin walk there. But we’ll have to be careful.” Crabapple replied. By this time, Scales had walked out of the stench of guts that now littered the floor, and Starlight had used magic to remove the gore that clung to him. He picked a piece of the floor that Starlight had missed and sucked it down like spaghetti, then grimaced.

“Rotttten….hissss” He blanched.

“Clever thinking anyway, Scales.” Starlight said.

“Humph.” Scales huffed.

The Trio left the manor house and walked through town, apparently unnoticed by anypony. When they finally arrived at the Everfree border, Crabapple turned to Starlight.

“Remember, nothing is as it seems in the forest. Ah know it’s taken as a joke that the forest is dangerous, but it really is. The deeper you go, the worse it gits. Stay close.” She turned again, and led the way into the forest…

After several hours of walking, and Scales complaining, Starlight had finally put him to sleep and he was snoring on her back. The tall shadows cast by the trees made everything look eerie, and she wanted to be on her toes. Crabapple felt the same.

“Careful miss…we’re being stalked.” She whispered hoarsely.

“You mean followed?”

“No…there’s more than one. They’re stalking us…”

All at once, from out of the trees dropped an assortment of different types of ponies, each carrying a sword or bow and arrow. Then, a high but strong voice called from out the treetops.

“No pony move! First one that does gets an arrow in the knee!”

Chapter 6: Wyrms and Words

Starlight and Crabapple looked at each other. THIS was kindness? Starlight hoped not.

Sure enough, however, the small greenish pony jumped down, landing on two feet, with a bow in her front hooves. She had on a small dark green leather jerkin, and a pointed green hat. The arrows were feathered with green as well. Her eyes were also green, but her mane was a russet brown, like autumn. Her cutie mark was an arrow, but around her neck, hanging from a simple leather strip was…

“Kindness!” Starlight said, disappointed. It was clearly not going to be as easy to get the Element as Crabapple had been. The green pony look sharply at the alicorn, then lowered her bow. She signaled to the rest of her band to also drop them. They did so, and the pony walked over to the ponies.

“Who…are…you?” She asked suspiciously.

“I’m Starlight, and this Crabapple…what’s your name?” said Starlight.

“Fletcher. What are you doing in here? Nopony comes this far in to Everfree, not unless they are looking for trouble, or to join the Gang.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Are you?”

“Lookin’ fer trouble? No ma’am.” Said Crabapple. “And isn’t Fletcher a boy’s name? What’s a slight thang like ya’ll…” Crabapple did not get to finish her sentence as an arrow flew past her ear.

“Never mind that. Since you refuse to tell the truth, I must assume your trouble.” Fletcher raised her hand, ready to give the signal to charge, when a roar came out of the brush to the left. The group of Everfree ponies dove for cover, but Starlight, Crabapple and Scales were caught in the open. They looked in the direction of the sound, and from out of the undergrowth came a large snake. It was no ordinary snake however; it was a Wyrm, or young dragon. It’s purple scales were pointed and the spikes on its back were tipped with a green poison. Its yellow bedy eyes showed none of the intelligence of Scales, but all of the malice. It hissed at the trio, forked tongue whipping up and down.

Crabapple slowly picked up her axe from the floor, while Starlight readied her magic. Before either pony could react however, a notched arrow flew from the cover of the Everfree Gang, and struck the Wyrm directly in the eye. It roared in pain as a blue-green fluid gushed from the wound. It turned toward the source of the pain, and Fletcher came charging out of the trees, welding a small dagger, wickedly sharp and with a serrated edge on one side. The rest of the Gang rushed out with a resounding battle cry.

“EVERFREEEEE!”

The ponies swarmed the Wyrm, while Crabapple and Starlight joined in the fray, Crabapple with her axe, and Starligth with her magical bolts. Scales, meanwhile, had wandered off to scavenge for mice or any other unlucky rodents; he had no wish to see his kind slaughtered.

The Wyrm hissed in both amusment and frustration at the ponies attacking it. It whipped its head into the air , and bought it crashing inot the ground. While it did throw many of the ponies from its back, it also misjudged the force of the impact, and stunned itself. The Wyrm had no time to recover before Crabapple leaped into the air and bought the massive axe down on the Wyrms neck. The beasts’ head rolled over and over, blood pouring from the area, and creating a sickly sweet smell in the air.

“DecapitationnNNNNNNNNN!” yelled Crabapple. “YEAH!” She slammed her hoof into the ground. “How’d ya like THEM apples!” she mocked the severed head, kicking it into a ditch.

Fletcher and the Everfree ponies looked at the newcomers with newfound respect. Flecther walked over to the two, and bowed her head.

“You have rid this area of a great threat. That wyrm has been plaguing us for the last few weeks, and we were unable to rid ourselves of it. Now, follow me; I must see to the welfare of my tribe.” The new friends followed the tribe into a large clearing, and what they saw there took their breath away.

“Sweet apples…what is this place?” Asked Crabapple.

“We call it Freedome. It’s the only location that Discord hasn’t been able to track; there are magic’s even older than Discord here. His power cannot find us. “ one of the Everfree gang remarked.

Starlight and Crabapple looked in awe at the sprawling, if somewhat primitive and ruinous, city/village. It seemed like a combination of ancient ruins and half constructed cottages. Wooden planks encompassed destroyed towers, to make some form of roof and walls. Wicker furniture was alongside faded tapestries showing scenes of before Discords’ rule; what they showed, no pony could say. The windows of many houses were either smashed or covered, and there were many more ponies than Starlight had figured on seeing. Every kind of pony was there; Unicorns, Earth Ponies, and Pegisii. They all seemed to get along fine, but each was poor as the other.

“When you have nothing left to lose, you become a better person; these ponies have lost everything. Not only will they give their lives to save the future of Chaotica, but they share what little they do have with the refugees we bring back, or those who come to join us. Everyone is equal in poverty, and none are poorer than those who have given up everything.”

Starlight and Crabapple did not immediately realize that it was Fletcher who was speaking. However, once Starlight heard her speech, she knew that there was no pony better to be kindness than a pony that cared for an entire town of the worst possible ponies. She looked at Crabapple, who nodded. Starlight turned to Fletcher.

“We have…some rather urgent business to discuss with you. Would you mind if we went somewhere more private?” She asked.

Fletcher looked suspicious, but nodded. She dismissed her party, and led the two ponies over a house just like any other. However, inside was a much larger room than had been expected. Inside was a large table, with several hastily constructed or repaired chairs. Fletcher sat at one end, while Starlight and Crabapple sat to either side. Starlight then proceeded to tell Fletcher all the things that had happened between her realization and the Wyrm fight. She told how she had read Twilight’s letter, and the warning about the Armor of Chaos. Fletcher listened, the whole time playing with her dagger, with the point stuck in the table, twirling it, like a ballerina of death. Finally, she removed it from the table and pondered Starlight’s words.

“So, you say these elements are the only thing, combined with the Armor of Chaos that can stop Discord? I don’t know…seems like an old pony’s tale to me. Anyway, I cannot simply abandon my post as leader. I would have to elect a new one, and that could take time.” She sighed. “I shall call a council, see what the other ponies think.” She pulled a small rope, and a bell dinged somewhere. After a second or two, a small gray pony with bubbles as her cutie mark tripped over the threshold. Her golden eyes were crossed, and she worse a big goofy grin. She saluted clumsily, knocking off her frying pan helmet. “

“Derpy, please go and call a meeting. There are some important things to be done.” Derpy, if there as such a name, bowed, picked up her helm, and trotted outside, once again falling over the door frame.

“Oops. My bad!”

Chapter 7: Changelings and Cannons

“Hold still… this may sting a little.” Starlight, as a battle mage, was used to inflicting wounds on ponies; but, since she was highly skilled in magic, she had been asked by Fletcher to help tend to the wounded. She recoiled slightly at the horror that the Wyrm had caused to these ponies bodies with his poison spines. They were weeping openly, spewing gunk and blood everywhere. One pony was trying desperately to gnaw off his own arm to escape the pain. Starlight was trying to bind it, but he refused to remove his mouth. Finally, Starlight cast a simple sleeping spell, and the poor ponies head lolled to one side. She wrapped the clean dressing over the old one, and then prepared to clean the next ponies wound.

“Thank you, ma’am.” The pony said.

“It’s no problem sir.” Starlight said as she worked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Pwah! What IS she doing! I taught her to be one of the greatest battle mages! Not a nursemaid!”

Discords pride was wounded as he watched Starlight cleaning and dressing the wounds of the ponies that had been injured in the attack on the Wyrm. The slaughter of that wyrm had been very depressing for Discord…he had sent it to try and eradicate the Everfree gang, or at the very least, drive those Ponies out of hiding. Now, however, it seemed he would have to result to more dramatic tactics…he snapped his fingers. The small brown pony appeared again.

“Go and call the Queen. I want a word with her…I need numbers. LOTS of numbers…” He grinned wickedly.

“When I’m done with this place, no pony will EVER remember it existed!” he laughed heartily.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starlight finished sewing the wound shut of the last pony, and looked with pride on her work. Many of the ponies, after drinking a mug of “cure-all-Ale”, fell asleep. She left the tent and trotted back to Fletcher’s rooms. Inside, she found Scales curled up by a fire, and Crabapple discussing the best plan of attack with Fletcher. The 3 had planned earlier with the council to leave the following morning, while a pony named Greenhorn would be in charge. Despite his name, which stemmed from his knowledge of plant life, he was an experienced captain under Fletcher, and one of her closest allies. The trio prepared to leave for the Colossal Hills the next morning. Scales was to remain behind, to take messages.

The three left early, with no fanfare. Just three ponies; an Alicorn, an Earth pony, and a Pegasus. They walked east, in the general direction of the Hills.

“Now, here’s the problem as Ah see it…these are the Colossal hills, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then how in the hay are we ‘spoused to find one single pony in them huge hills!”

There was silence. Starlight had never considered that. The hills were pretty huge, and she had only glanced at a map of them. She knew general geography, but if she was going to narrow it down, she would assume they should start at the tallest peak, and said so.

“Why would Laughter be in the Hills anyway? It’s even more dangerous than the Forest” said Fletcher. “There are all manner of beasts up there; Yetis, Snow Dragons, Wulfs, and the like. And no pony lives up there. How would they pass on the Element?” Fletchers concern was apparent in her voice. She felt that they were no embarking on a fool hardy voyage, and that nothing would come of it.

“Well, we need to find Laughter to complete the set of the Elements of Harmony. If we don’t find something, then…I don’t think we could ever defeat Discord.”

“Your quest was doomed before it even started ponies!” The trio turned to see Queen Chrysalis, the Queen of the Changelings, laughing at them from a nearby hill. Her blue mane was draped across he face, but all the ponies could see her fangs gleaming in the light.

“Now, my Changelings. ATTACK!” the queen raised a hoof and all the Changeling minions swarmed across the plains where the trio stood. Crabapple had now time to even raise her axe before she was covered by the foul, black creatures. The changelings may not have been very powerful, but they lived by “Strength in Numbers.” Starlight managed to blast them off Crabapple with a burst of magic, then scooped up Fletcher and Crabapple in a sphere of magic, carrying them high above the commotion.

Unfortunately, The changelings took wing and would have swarmed the trio again, leaving no hope of survival, expect for one thing; something which no pony expected.

A cannon ball came out of nowhere, exploding in midair and driving away many of the Changelings. Looking up, the trio saw a large airship, with multiple cannons on each side, and flying around it, with swords and daggers, a crew of Pegisii pirates!

“Oh no…not again” groaned Fletcher. “It’s HER again…”

“Who?” asked Crabapple. Her answer came when a dark gray pony with a white mane flew down. She was wearing a leather jerkin, and had a belt, into which were thrust an assortment of weapons. On her head was a bandanna, and she had a patch on one eye. Her cutie mark was a cannon and crossed swords. She shook her head at the misfortunate ponies.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” She said. “I’m Shadow Skies, feared pirate of the Clouds, and YOU are trespassing!” she whipped out a dagger and pointed it at them. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t gut you now!”
In response, Starlight used her magic to turn the dagger into a limp noddle. Shadow made the dagger wobble a few times before throwing it away.

“Ah well…I can still fight you!” and she put of her hoofs in an imitation of Irish Boxers. At that moment, however, a rouge changeling came barreling out of the sky, and crashed dead on into Shadow. They went tumbling out of the sky, and Shadow would have fallen to her death if Starlight had not caught her with her magic. She floated Shadow to the magical platform, but kept her wings bound.

“Can we have safe passage on your ship? We’re kind of in a hurry.” Fletcher growled.

“Uh…yeah…sure…but I get 40% of all booty acquired at the end of the voyage.”

The platform floated up to the airship, where Starlight could see the name written on the side in large letters.

Sonic Rainboom

Chapter 8: Road Trip!- or Sky Trip?

The captains quarters were more comfortable than the rest of the ship. Starlight and her companions had quickly realized that the whole affair was a hastily thrown together and patched over many times deal. The balloons seemed to be more patches than balloon, the crew looked they would munity at the first sign of larger glories, and many were hungry. It was no surprise, since the food that Shadow Skies cook served couldn’t really be considered fit for consumption.

“Now, suppose you 3 tell me what you were doing in the territory of the great Shadow skies?” the Pegasus said.

“We can’t.” Said Fletcher shortly.

“Hold on miss. What’s the deal betwixt you and this here Shadow?” asked crabapple.

Fletcher huffed, and began.

“Shadow and I were originally part of the same gang. But she decided to be stuck up-“

“Untrue! I saw greater glories in the heavens!” Skies interrupted.

“- and she left to seek her life in the skies, where “true pegisii belong, not skulking on the ground like a worm” Fletcher
sneered. “THOSE were the last words you gave me before I left. And look at you now… starved, poor, in a floating wreck, working for anyone with a bit of meat and some gold. You disgust me! We started out so well!”

“Now, hold on, missy.” Said Crabapple.

“NO! This has been a long time in coming, Crabapple, and I intend to do it!” Fletcher withdrew a knife from her belt and flew
across the table. Shadow saw it coming however, and blocked it with her own dagger. A fight would have broken out, had not
Starlight used her magic to create a barrier between the two pegisii.

“Enough chit chat. Shadow, where is the element of Loyalty?” The Pegasus looked confused.

“You know…the lightning bolt?”

“Oh that…I uh…I lost it.”

“HOW” Starlight used her magic to conjure spikes in the wall, and slowly moved it toward Shadow.

“Don’t we need her?” whispered Crabapple.

“Yeah…but she doesn’t know that yet.” Starlight replied with a grin. She continued to push the walls further and further in,
until she saw Shadow’s eyes grow wide.

“Alright, alright! It’ll tell you!” She cried. “I lost it in a game of cards! I had to bet it all. This isn’t even my ship! I bought it with
what little I could save from the game!

“So…the old ship has your element?”

“Yes! Now get these off!”

Starlight sighed and the magic spikes went away. Shadow breathed easily again. She led the ponies to a room where she
kept her maps and charts. Opening one, she spread it on the table. She pointed with her hoof to a remote location, some
miles away from where any town should have stood.

“But there’s nothing there.” Said starlight. She had memorized maps of all of Choatica when Discord had told her she would
be given a piece. The area Shadow suggested was empty of life.

“As far as you know. I know, however, that there is the remains of a town called Appoloza. Now of course, its just a ghost
town, but ponies still life there.” Crabapple replied.

“How’d you know that?” inquired Starlight. She disliked being wrong.

“The old Apple family lived near there, before they were given a rule over Ponyville.”

“well, the saloon at least is still open. I lost it there about 4 months ago. As far as I know, its hasn’t moved.

“Then get this hunk of junk in gear and let’s go!” said Fletcher angrily.

“It’s…not that simple…” said Shadow shly.

“WHYYYYYYYYYY.” Said Flecther, dragging out her words to make it sting.

“I’m…kinda…not allowed back in.” repldied Shadow sheepishly.

“UGH” moaned Starlight. “Well, fly us as close as you can, and we’ll get it for you.”

“No way!” said Shadow. “Why should i?”

“Because if you take us there, we’ll win your ship back.” Said Crabapple.

“Are you crazy? What would-“ Fletcher started.

“Deal! And I’ll fly where ever you need to go!” said Shadow heartily.

“Then all’s settled; Shadow, fly us in.”

“Aye aye, cap’n Crabapple!” said Shadow, flying out the door, and the rest of them could hear the Pegasus yelling at
her crew to ready the balloons for a flight.

“Fletcher, send a letter to Scales.” Said Starlight. “He needs to know, and so does the rest of your gang.”

Fletcher nodded. Her pink butterfly glowed, and a scroll appeared.

Chapter 9: Fletcher's Quest and the Fall of Everfree

Starlight scratched a few lines onto the parchment with a feather quill, and then went above decks to see how Shadow was handling her crew.

The mare was flying all around the airship, doing a little of this, a little of that, helping any member of the crew with odd jobs. The captain, going about like a common sailor! Interesting…

Starlight now knew why Shadow was Captain; she was loyal not to her crew, but her ship, no matter which one she had. And now she knew, without a doubt that they would recover the Element of Loyalty. The captain would see to that.

The other pony that immediately interested her was the pony talking to Crabapple. Unlike many of the other ponies on board, he was tall, and well-muscled. Unusually, he was also an earth pony; but he wasn’t the cook. Instead, he bore on his flank a compass and crossed swords. His fur was also gray, but unlike Shadows, it was a light gray, and spotted with darker spots. His mane was closely shaved, but he wore a pony tail in the back. The effect was a pony of quiet power, and also one of knowledge. His eyes were brightest blue, and you could tell he had sailed all over the skies.

“Starlight, come over here, I want’cha ta meet some’un” said, Crabapple, noticing her nearby.

Starlight walked carefully, not fully used to the swaying of the Sky-deck. Once she stood beside Crabapple, she gestured to the pony.

“Starlight, this is Atlas. He knows where the Colossal Hills are.” She nodded, and Atlas bowed his head.

“Indeed I do,” he said in a gravelly voice, but not unkind. “I have flown over them many a times, and I am sorry to say, no pony could survive for long…those hills are full of all kinds of monsters, and even my friends, the Mountain goats, can barely survive those hills.” He pointed a thick hoof out west. “That way is the Town of Appaloosa. It is a rought town, but with the myself guarding you, you should be fine.”

“No offense sugar-cube, but Ah think we can handle ourselves in a ghost town” smiled Crabapple, loving rubbing her axe handle. Atlas shrugged.

“Be that as it may, I will still be accompanying you. The Captain has requested it.” He smirked. “For Loyalty, she doesn’t trust anyone.” Starlight looked quickly up in fear as he said this, but Atlas laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not a spy; I happened to overhear you talking in the captain’s quarters. Your secret’s safe with me.” He looked up as Shadow flew overhead.

“Atlas, what are you doing? I got no time for chit-chat aboard my vessel; go below and plot a course for Appaloosa.” she said crossly.

“Aye aye, captain” said Atlas, winking slyly, and blowing a kiss at his captain. She scowled and blushed simultaneously, then flew off to help with another part of the ship.

Fletcher came up from below decks having sent her letter. She looked grim. She flew over to Crabapple and Starlight, carrying a different scroll. Before even explaining it, she opened it and began to read.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fletcher, the town is destroyed. The villagers have been taken. They are all working in Discords mines and fields. All

our work has been destroyed. Derpy was slain; and the remaining ponies are arguing over who should be leader while

you’re gone. You need to return.

Scales.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Starlight and Crabapple looked in horror as Fletcher’s eyes weld with tears. She looked up sternly.

“I need to go back.” She said firmly. “They need me; they’re nothing without me.”

“Fletcher, no; you’re needed here as well” said Starlight, not unkindly. “If you leave, we may never have another chance to defeat Discord. Can’t you just send another letter, telling them who should lead, and what to do next?”

“I would…if they listened to me in writing.” Fletcher spat. “Morons; they barely acknowledge me when I’m yelling in their faces. No, Starlight, you need to let me go and tend to my gang. We may never have a chance to recover after this if I don’t help them.” She looked at Crabapple, who backed off.

“Ah want no part of this here decision; if you feel you should go, then git.” She said.

Fletcher looked back at Starlight, who had her head bowed, deep in thought.

“Once we have finished in Appaloosa, we will return for you.” She said finally. “Good luck.”

With those words, Fletcher ran to the side of the ship and flung herself over the edge.

“Pony overboard!” one of the crew yelled, and then he and several other crew members ran over to get a closer look, and try to save the fallen pony.

“Wait…never mind, it’s a Pegasus.” He and the several other crew members resumed their duties.

Crabapple and Starlight looked out over the clouds, watching Fletchers falling form. Soon, her wings opened, and her descent slowed. She began flying back eastward, toward Everfree. The sunset on her fur made it look like she was a glowing angel, returning home.

“We may never see her again, and all our chances of defeating Discord will be gone.” Said Starlight matter of fact-ly.

“Quit yer worrying; she’ll come back. And if she doesn’t, we’ll find her.” Replied Crabapple. She turned awa from the rails and look back toward the west.

“Now, pick up the pace ya’ll” she called. “we got to git to Appaloosa!”