All together, the six prepared to finish their ordeal.
Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash and frowned. "Hold on there," she said, raising a hoof. "How come you got the Element of Loyalty again?"
"Um... because I didn't take the Shadowbolts up on their offer?" the pegasus replied, raising an eyebrow. "Why, what's—"
"That was an obvious trick, an' hardly makes up for how you usually act. And actually ah don't think Honesty especially describes anythin' ah did today. Ah might be a sight more honest than you, but ah'm more loyal than that. Here, trade me."
Before Rainbow could respond, the necklace had been unhooked from around her neck, and now adorned Applejack; meanwhile, the Element of Honesty was thrust into her hooves.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" she protested. "It doesn't even look as cool!"
"Wait a second," Pinkie interrupted. "Shouldn't the Element of Honesty belong to somepony who values it above anything? You know, like somepony who holds a code of conduct meant specifically to bind ponies to their word, and would rather have her eyes filled with pastries than violate it?"
"You mean you?" Dash asked pointedly.
"Huh? Oh, I was talking about Rarity. She's big on Hoofurabi and all that. But now that you mention it, yeah, that does sound like me! Gimme that!"
And thus, Pinkie snatched the Element of Honesty away from Rainbow Dash, replacing it with Laughter.
"You know, come to think of it..." Rarity mused.
"Oh, not you too," the increasingly tired pegasus groaned.
"Why, charming ponies is my job, darling," the white mare pointed out. "I could hardly go far in my line of work without a sense of humor. I'm not sure what this Generosity business is all about, anyway. I'd never be the clever society mare I am if I were willing to give everything away."
And leaving it at that, the Elements were once again swapped.
"Ugh. Okay. Fine," Rainbow growled. "So what next? Fluttershy, you don't want the Element of Generosity now, do you?"
"Um, actually, now that you mention it..."
"Oh for Pete's sake just take it."
Exasperated, the rainbow mare tossed her new necklace to Fluttershy, who flinched, but just barely managed to catch it. After a moment's fumbling, Fluttershy gently placed the Element of Kindness around Rainbow Dash's neck.
Dash glanced back at Twilight. "And you?"
"No, I'm good," Twilight responded. "Can we get on with saving the world now?"
And then they fired the friendship laser.
