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                    Of Hands and Hooves                    
                   -by StarlightFeather-                   
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                     Through The Glass                     
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Through The Glass
     Twilight sat dejected in the basement of her castle. Also in the room were Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie and Spike, all looking scared. There were some special guests there, as well. The other Equestrian Princesses were here, as were the cutie mark crusaders. The fillies had been saved in the nick of time by Applejack, Rainbow and Rarity only this morning.
     Nopony really knew what happened. There was this strange phenomenon that began cropping up just days ago all over Equestria. The land, the creatures, the very air there had taken on this dull purplish-gray coloring. It was as if those places were frozen in time. There was no wind, no movement, no heat. The ground was hard and cold underhoof, like stone that had never felt the sun's warmth. Any ponies caught in this were frozen in time along with the land. In just days, it had spread nearly everywhere. Ponyville was covered by it this morning, and Twilight's Castle, for whatever reason, was the only place left untouched.
     Shinning Armor was back at the Crystal Empire retrieving what help he could. He suddenly appeared in a flash of whitish-blue light, along with three of his castle guards. The first was a familiar face that cheered Twilight up only a little. A hansom pegasus stallion by the name of Flash Sentry. The second was a tall green earth pony stallion with his mane in two shades of green. Lastly was a unicorn stallion who...bore something of a resemblance to her mother. A distant cousin of theirs, perhaps? Their names were Lucky Streak and Shooting Star.
     “Everyone here?” Twilight asked in a broken voice.
     “Yeah, they were the only three left at the castle.” Shinning Armor said. “What's your plan, Twilie?”
     It was odd to the guards, hearing their prince talk in such and informal manor, even the supposed cousin. Lucky and Comet exchanged looks of mild surprise. Flash's eyes, however, remained trained in the forth princess. They'd barley spoken before, but he was often struck by her beauty. Her coat was the most lovely shade of lavender and her eyes sparkled as her name suggested. The pegasus shook his head. No, no, he was a mere guard. To instigate such a liaison with an alicorn princess would be highly improper. To pursue the younger sister of his kingdom's prince and former captain, basically his boss ether way, would be suicide.
     “Actually, I have something to say.” Celestia said. “Twilight, did you and your friends try the elements of harmony?”
“Yes,” Twilight nodded. “but they...failed.” Twilight and her friends grew even sadder hearing this. The elements had never failed them before, was this plague really so powerful?
     “I feared as much. I'm afraid I know why they failed.” Celestia said, gaining the curious attention of everypony. “Because they are incomplete. Their is a seventh element of harmony.”
     “Seventh?” the bearers of the elements questioned together.
     “Yes, the element of love.” Celestia said. “Love is the foundation of all friendship, but the bearer of this element is no longer with us. I had to omit the seventh element from everything, books first and foremost knowing you, Twilight The element itself can only exist in this world as long as it's bearer is in our world.”
     There was silence for a moment. If the elements of harmony weren't enough, what was? Well, first was first, they had to find someplace safe to come up with a game-plan.
     “We can't stay here, but I think I know where we can still go.” Twilight said. Her horn become bathed in a magenta aura, and in a burst of magic came some kind of device. The other princesses vaguely recognized the mirror to the other world. “I...made a few modifications to it.” Twilight smiled bashfully.
     “Well, what other choice do we have.” Celestia sighed. “Some of us will have to stay and at least try to find a solution to this.”
     “Wait!” Rainbow said, her eyes shinning. “We actually get to go this time?” she asked excitedly. She'd always wanted see what was on the other side of that mirror, specifically the other her. Pinkie's eyes also shone and Fluttershy backed away. Applejack and Rarity exchanged excited looks.
     “Yes.” Celestia nodded. “Twilight, you and your friends will need to cross over to the other side and try to find something or somepony that can help us.”
     “Hey, what about us?” Apple Bloom asked.
     “Yeah, they go, we go!” Scootallo frowned.
     “Very well.” Luna sighed, smirking to herself in amusement.
     “My guards will accompany you, too.” Shinning said. “I'm not letting my sister go into this world without protection.” he turned to the three stallions. “Solders, while you're over there, Princess Twilight both your commander and your top priority. Understood.”
     “Yes, sir.” they spoke in perfect unison.
     “Okay, I'm not sure what'll happen.” Twilight took a breath and activated the mirror with her magic. One by one, the six bearers, the three fillies and guards and the young dragon disappeared into the mirror.
     One by one, they appeared on the other side. It was daybreak in this word, just starting to become light. Twilight looked down and was surprised to find herself still in her pony form.
     “Everything okay, Twi?” Applejack asked. Twilight looked over everypony to see they all maintained their native forms as a small herd on ponies and a baby dragon.
     “Well, whenever we came here before, Spike and I always transformed.” Twilight said. “I'm just a little confused that it didn't happen this time. I'll explain everything soon, let's just find a place to hide for now.” The ponies and Spike nodded in agreement.
     At the same time, somewhere in the suburbs, she was awoken by an itch on her face that she absently scratched. Had she been more awake, she would have probably noticed something was off. She tried turning over in the bed to escape the sunlight, she had had such a nice dream. When that proved in vain, she groaned and got up.
     How unfair it was that she should be forced awake so early, and on a Saturday no less. Oh well, no use getting mad about it. Maybe she'd call up Rainbow or AJ or someone, see if any of them wanted to get breakfast or something. It wasn't until she was out of bed that she noticed the off something. She finally opened her eyes in alarm when she stood up and started to fall forward but managed to catch herself. She opened her eyes and all coherent thought left her head.
     She was looking down not at skinny arms with hands on the ends, but thick, strong front legs ending in large hooves. She gasped and looked herself over. She was naked and covered in pale orange fur, a bright red and yellow tail and main and just a hint of a familiar fiery mark on her flank. Steeling herself, she looked in the full length mirror that stood across from her bed – a gift from Rarity. A pale orange unicorn with striking green eyes stared back at her.