The Darkest Night

Chapters

Chapter 2: The Moon Princess
Chapter 3: The Guard, the Chef, and the Stylist
Chapter 4: The Council of Friendship
Chapter 5: The Counselor and the Storyteller
Chapter 6: Queen of the Changelings
Chapter 7: Nothing But a Withered Dream
Chapter 8: The Everfree Enchantress
Chapter 9: To Canterlot
Chapter 10: Grumpy Ole Trolls
Chapter 11: Avalanche
Chapter 12: Together
Chapter 13: Inside Us All
Epilogue
Chapter 1: The Dream

Chapter 2: The Moon Princess

Chapter Two

“No!” Misty screamed, bolting upright. Cold sweat dribbled down her face. Her hooves, indeed her whole body, shook with utter terror. Her heart pounded painfully in her breast, and her breath came in strained gasps.

However, Misty Moonrise was the only one in the room. The polished floor was tinged gold by the late morning sunlight where books, scrolls, star charts, and other clutter did not completely obscure it. The oaken desk, almost as cluttered as the floor, rested against one wall beneath a painting of the constellation Pegasus. Left of the desk was a floor-to-ceiling window, the deep blue drapes still drawn, and a telescope. On the desk’s right stood a tall, thoroughly overstuffed bookcase. Directly across the room, Misty’s circular bed lay upon a slightly raised dais with a window on either side, the curtains closed to block the sunlight. All the doors leading into and out of the room were shut, except for the glass panes that led to the balcony, which were open to let in the spring breeze and birdsong.

The dream had been just that—a dream. But Misty had not intended to dreamwalk. She did that at night when most other ponies slept, not when they were awake. However, that awful dream, that nightmare, was eerily reminiscent of the time Misty Moonrise had accidentally stumbled into Princess Luna’s dreams.

That had been many moons ago. Now Misty Moonrise was far more capable in her dreamwalking abilities and interpretation of dreams, not to mention the advances she had made in her magic. But this dream had felt more real, more true than any others. This dream—Queen Chrysalis’s dream—would come to pass.

Misty was on her hooves in a flash, hastening out of her quarters and into the tower’s spiraling stairwell. She hurtled down countless steps until she reached the ground floor.

Outside, Canterlot teemed with energy. Ponies of all kinds and colors mingled on the cobblestone streets, chatted at café tables, and waved from open windows. Cheerful voices filled the air almost as much as the clopping of hooves. The smell of fresh bread wafted on the breeze from the nearby bakery. Bright green leaves rustled softly on the branches of the slender trees and decorative shrubs. Flowers swayed and danced in their garden plots, their dazzling rainbow of petals seeming to smile at everypony who trotted past.

Unfortunately, Misty had not the time to savor any of it. She galloped down the street, darting between ponies and carts. She had to leap a group of young foals playing hopscotch, which earned her surprised and curious glances from nearby ponies. She ignored their scrutiny as she followed the winding thoroughfare all the way to the palace. The Royal Guards standing watch outside the entrance recognized Misty and did not bother to bar the way. One started to wave at her, but Misty galloped past before he could so much as raise a hoof. She would need to apologize for that another time. This could not wait.

Inside the palace, the Great Hall opened before her. With its vaulted ceiling and towering windows, the massive chamber held a number of Canterlot citizens awaiting an audience with Princess Celestia. A few ponies in the white and gold uniforms of Celestia, with her sun crest sewn on the front, were present as well, dusting the antique sculptures and vases, cleaning the window glass, attending the waiting citizens, and suchlike. Several pairs of guards, all in the golden armor of the Sun Princess—a blazing sun of orange and yellow enameled on their breastplates—were stationed at closed doors and the intersections of corridors that led farther into the grand castle.

Misty Moonrise slowed to a halt as she approached the doors to the throne room, panting from the long run. She wondered whether she ought to tell Princess Celestia of the dream first. Princess Luna spent her nights awake and vigilant while her sister slept. She would not appreciate being woken so soon after the moon had set. But Misty was not as comfortable around Princess Celestia as she was with her mentor. Besides, dreams were the realm of the Moon Princess—Celestia could wait.

Misty turned down an adjacent hall instead. Within a few minutes, she stood outside the door to Princess Luna’s private chambers.

Two thunderhead grey unicorn stallions stood guard. Their ears were uncannily long and tufted like lynx ears. Their armor was deep, royal purple filigreed with obsidian, and the crest on their breastplates was a waxing crescent moon of white enamel. The horns that spiraled from their foreheads were wicked, curved things. Their eyes, yellow like a timberwolf’s but more terrifying, bore into Misty like four icy daggers.

Trying not to appear as intimidated as she felt, Misty took a silent breath to calm herself and stood a little straighter. Those two could probably smell her fear, but she would put on a brave face anyway. If she tried hard enough, she could convince herself she was not afraid of them, the same way she convinced others that nothing in dreams was real.

Except for this dream. That thought calmed and worried her simultaneously. Misty met the guards’ cool gazes and said, “I realize the princess must be exhausted, but it’s imperative that I see her immediately.”

For a moment, it seemed that the guards would turn her away. Then one of them smiled and said brightly, “Of course, Misty Moonrise.”

Misty blinked, surprised by the use of her name. She glanced at the guard’s cutie mark—a sword crossed by a key—and realized, belatedly, that they had met before. She quickly returned her attention to the guard himself. I really should try harder to remember other ponies’ names, Misty thought. What is it, what is it…? Keystone! That’s it! “Thank you, Keystone,” she replied at last, returning the smile.

Keystone bobbed his head in a brief bow, a dark purple aura springing up around his horn. The door swung inward on silent hinges. Misty hurried through, and it slid quietly shut behind her.

The chamber Misty entered was dark and cool, though some embers still glowed fitfully in a hearth that was so wide it took up much of one wall. The deep sapphire glow of Misty’s magic glittered in the darkness as she shifted a few logs from the neat pile beside the fireplace instead to the pile of embers. A spark of magical fire was all that was needed to set the logs alight. The logs began to spit and crackle as the yellow-orange flames hungrily engulfed them.

The firelight warmed and brightened the whole room. Tables of polished ebony stood on slender, vine-like legs against the walls, bearing vases of night lilies and ornamental figurines. The opal tiles gleamed rosy pink in the fire’s glow where thick rugs made to resemble the night sky did not lay. Opposite the hearth, the walls were lined with ebony bookcases that stretched almost to the high ceiling, their leather-bound tomes neatly arranged. A desk, also of ebony and lightly gilded, rested in one corner, papers stacked neatly on one side beneath a paperweight, inkwells stoppered and in a single row, and raven-feather quills arranged just so. The tall windows were cloaked in velvet drapes such a deep blue they were nearly black. An ancient tapestry hung above the marble mantel, picturing an elegant alicorn flying amidst stars and a harvest moon.

On the bed—round and white like the full moon—rested the alicorn depicted in the tapestry, and the tapestry did not do her justice. Though not quite as tall as her elder sister, Princess Luna was nevertheless a sleek and majestic creature. Her coat was the dark, velvety sapphire of the night, and the stars themselves twinkled in her nearly translucent, cobalt mane and tail, though the latter was hidden under the blankets. She was not wearing her customary onyx crown, silver slippers, or onyx torque with its waxing crescent moon picked out in moonstones. Princess Luna slept so peacefully that, for a moment, Misty considered not disturbing her at all.

However, the memory of Chrysalis poisoning the Tree of Harmony firmed her resolve. Misty Moonrise approached the princess and said, quietly at first, “Princess Luna?” When that was not enough, Misty raised her voice and repeated, “Princess Luna? Princess, I’m sorry, but this is important.”

The princess shifted and at last opened her eyes. Her cyan gaze was glazed with drowsiness, but she raised her head and focused blearily on Misty. After a moment, Princess Luna blinked to clear her vision and said wearily, though not unkindly, “Misty Moonrise? What is it? Has something happened?”

“Forgive me for disturbing you, princess, but…” Misty explained what had occurred in the dream in detail and to whom she believed the dream belonged. After she finished, she asked softly, “The Tree of Harmony can’t really be killed, can it?”

For a while, Princess Luna did not answer. She scowled down at the floor in silence, deep in thought. When she finally lifted her gaze and spoke, her eyes were determined but her voice was tinged with worry. “These are tidings most troubling. I shall consult with my sister at once.” As she spoke, Princess Luna stood and went to one of the ebony stands, her waxing crescent moon cutie mark like a ghostly specter amidst the black clouds splashing her hindquarters. Over the stand was hung a large mirror. On the same table lay her crown and torque, and beneath it were tucked her silver slippers. Her light blue aura sparkled to life as she donned her royal regalia.

“Is there anything I can do to help, princess?” queried Misty.

“Thou hast already provided us a means of retaliation,” said Princess Luna, hastily smoothing her rumpled mane and tail with a brush. As so often happened when she spoke with Misty, the princess had slipped back into her archaic manner of speech. “There is little else thou can do in Canterlot.”

“But I can’t just sit and watch Chrysalis invade Equestria,” Misty protested. “I won’t stand by and do nothing, princess.”

Princess Luna faced her pupil with a gentle smile. “I wouldst not ask thee to sit idle, Misty Moonrise. I have another task for thee.” Princess Luna opened the door and, with Misty following alongside her, departed her private quarters. The two guards saluted as the princess passed.

“What is it?” Misty asked as they made their way through the corridors.

“Thou shall journey hither to Ponyville,” replied Princess Luna. “Tell Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends of Queen Chrysalis’s plans. If ’tis not already too late, they should be able to protect the Tree of Harmony and its Elements.”

They had arrived at the doors to the throne room. Misty Moonrise shuffled her hooves nervously and said, too quietly for anypony but Princess Luna to hear, “What if it is too late? What if Chrysalis is already at the Tree? What if—?”

“Misty Moonrise,” Princess Luna intervened gently, “I believe in thee and thine abilities. I wouldst not ask thee to do that which must be done if I did not think thee ready. Go to Princess Twilight Sparkle, help her stop Chrysalis from destroying the harmony in Equestria.”

Misty sighed inwardly, but bowed respectfully to the princess. “Yes, Princess Luna,” she said, straightening, and turned to leave.

Princess Luna placed a wing over Misty’s shoulder, stopping her. “Be wary, little pony mine,” cautioned the Moon Princess. “The Changeling Queen is not to be underestimated. Find friends thou can trust—thou will need them before the end.”

Chapter 3: The Guard, the Chef, and the Stylist

Chapter Three

The train ground to a halt, breaks squealing. Misty Moonrise jerked awake, flattening her ears against the awful screech. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked out the window. Outside was the Ponyville train station, with ponies disembarking and boarding. She must have slept through the whole journey.

As Misty quickly made her way off the train, a tall pegasus stallion in violet armor trimmed with gold greeted her. His breastplate sported the magenta star of the Princess of Friendship. Under the armor, his coat was mahogany, and his mane and tail were the color of aged ivory. Though shadowed by his helm, the guard’s eyes were leafy green, and on his flank was a gleaming silver shield.

The pegasus guard abruptly laughed. “Have you forgotten me already, Misty Moonrise? Here.” He removed his helm, letting his short mane fall messily over his face. “Remember me now?”

Misty gaped in astonishment. “Steel Shield!” She threw her forelegs around him in a tight hug, which he returned heartily. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “And when did you get so big?”

Steel Shield laughed again. “I hit a growth spurt the summer after I moved away from Brumbyburg. Now I’m part of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s new Royal Guard. ‘Sir Steel Shield’—it has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

“I suppose it does,” Misty replied. Then she remembered why she was in Ponyville at all and looked up at her old foalhood friend seriously. “Did Princess Luna send a letter ahead of my arrival?”

Sobering, Steel nodded. “Yes, but she didn’t say anything about why you were coming.” He paused, waiting for an explanation.

Misty averted her gaze and shuffled her hooves. “I can’t tell you, at least not yet. I need to speak with Princess Twilight first.”

“I understand,” said Steel. He replaced his helm on his head and gestured with a feathered wing. “Follow me.”

Ponyville was a quaint village, not unlike Misty’s own hometown of Brumbyburg. The houses were white-washed, their roofs were woven thatch or tile, and potted ferns and flowers hung outside windows and doors. The streets were packed dirt with a few paving stones every so often, and everywhere green grass rippled in the soft breeze. Some ponies stood at stands selling wares in the market square, while others walked about browsing and chatting. Everypony seemed to know everypony else, all cheery and smiling and laughing. A trio of foals sped across the way in some sort of game, one of the three riding a blue scooter.

“Wait up, Scootaloo!”

“We cain’t get our high-divin’ cutie marks on dry land!”

“Woohoo!”

Misty paused to watch the fillies pass. Soon all three rounded a corner and were lost from view. “What was that about?”

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Steel Shield explained as they started walking again. “You’ll get used to them.”

“The what?”

Before Steel could respond, however, the earth trembled with a great explosion. Ponies fled a café whose windows were pouring smoke and hurtling honey-hued globs. One of the flying globs splashed onto Misty, thick and gooey and smelling of pineapple. She tried to shake the stuff off, but it clung to her like glue. Beside her, Steel Shield tried to withhold his laughter.

“Oh, my goodness!” A sky blue earth pony came running out of the café, teal eyes tight with apology. Her curly mane and tail, magenta striped with teal, were spotted with the same yellow goop that covered Misty. On her flank, almost hidden by another sticky glob, was a sprig of purple juniper berries. “I guess my pineapple soufflé didn’t come out quite right, huh?”

“No, no,” chuckled Steel Shield, bubbling over with mirth. “It looks great! It really brings out her… eyes?”

Misty Moonrise shot him an unamused glare.

“Oh, dear,” the blue mare said. “Here, come with me. I know somepony who can get that off quick as a whistle.”

“Thank you, but I really don’t—” Misty began, but the blue mare started pushing her along from behind.

“No, no, I insist! Lilypad can get that ick out of your mane faster than a speeding breezie! You’ll see. The name’s Juniper Berry, by the way.”

“I really can’t—” Misty tried again, but this time Steel Shield interrupted.

“This is my friend Misty Moonrise,” said he cheerfully. “She’s come all the way from Canterlot.”

“Canterlot!” Juniper Berry bounced up excitedly. “I didn’t know you had any friends in Canterlot, Steel! Oh, we’re here.” She knocked on the door of a hairdresser’s salon.

A white pegasus mare answered. Her pastel gold mane was tied back in a tail, and on her flank was a blooming lily with rosy petals. She swept long-lashed, seafoam eyes over her visitors once and gasped. “My stars! You poor thing! What’s happened to you?” she exclaimed, ushering them inside. She swiftly sat Misty down before a mirror, fluttering her wings and hovering to get a better view of the mess that was Misty’s mane. “Is this your doing, Juniper?”

Juniper Berry giggled and licked some of the yellow goop from one of her curls. “Yep! This is Steel’s friend from Canterlot. Misty Moonrise, this is Lilypad.”

“I’m sorry, but I really can’t waste time. I need to—” Misty began.

Lilypad was not listening. “Oh, dear, dear,” she muttered over and over again. She finally seemed to settle on a strategy and whisked Misty off behind a standing screen. A clamor of whirring, squirting, squelching, stretching, and all sorts of other noises soon ensued.

Juniper Berry finished licking up the last of the pineapple soufflé from herself and turned to Steel Shield. “So what’s Misty Moonrise doing way out here in Ponyville?”

“She’s here to see Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Steel replied.

The ruckus from behind the screen abruptly ceased, and Lilypad shot into the air above it. “The princess?!” she exclaimed. She quickly shoved the screen aside, revealing Misty Moonrise wholly free of soufflé goop, with her usually untidy mane and tail strung up and braided with colorful ribbons and elaborately arranged. “You’re here to see the princess?!” Lilypad went on excitedly, grasping Misty’s face with both fore hooves.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell everypony,” Misty sighed, exasperated. “I’ve been sent here by Princess Luna to—”

“Princess Luna?!” Lilypad and Juniper Berry gasped simultaneously. The pair began rattling off questions like shrill rapid-fire, overlapping each other to the point that Misty could not understand a word either one of them was saying. She pinned back her ears and squeezed her eyes shut against the chaos. Without thinking, she summoned her magic and wove a spell that would save her from this nightmare.

In a shimmering shower of stardust, Misty Moonrise vanished.

Juniper Berry and Lilypad fell silent and exchanged worried glances.

“Oh, dear,” said Lilypad, crestfallen. “I think we frightened her off.”

“And after the first mess I made…” added Juniper, ears drooping. “Some welcome to Ponyville.”

Steel Shield sighed. He should have known something like this would happen. “I’ll talk to her,” he said, starting for the door.

“Will you tell her that we’re sorry?” asked Juniper. Lilypad nodded in agreement with the sentiment.

“Yeah,” Steel assured them. “Don’t worry.”

When Misty opened her eyes, she was mercifully alone. She released a relieved sigh, but, moreover, she was surprised with herself—that was the first time she had ever performed that transportation spell. Then Misty Moonrise looked up at whatever had become of her mane. With a tendril of magic and a shake of her head, she freed both her mane and tail from the ribbons and braids. She felt a twinge of regret as her hair returned to its normal disheveled state—Lilypad had worked hard to get the soufflé out of it and to style it. And Juniper Berry had not meant for her pineapple soufflé to explode all over Ponyville and Misty.

I’ll find them and apologize, but later, she promised herself. Right now, there are more important matters at stake. Misty scanned the area to orient herself and found the tree she had appeared behind was no ordinary tree. As she walked around to the front, her eyes grew wide with wonder.

The violet castle stood resolute and glistening among the crystalline branches of an enormous tree much like the Tree of Harmony. The sunlight was reflected lavender, blue, and pink as it bounced off the tree’s innumerable facets. The tiles of the tower roofs gleamed golden, and a great flag bearing the crest of the Princess of Friendship fluttered in the breeze. Strands of rainbow crystals hung from the two balconies and many crystal boughs, and upon the tallest spire glittered a great crystal star. A flight of stairs led up to a two-leaved door, which was flanked on either side by lancet windows. A pair of Royal Guards in the same gold-trimmed violet armor as Steel Shield stood at attention on either side of the stair.

Misty Moonrise gathered her wits and approached the grand castle. The guards glanced at her, but allowed her to pass without a fuss. The great doors swung inward to admit her, and Misty had to glance back before she realized the unicorn of the two guards had used his magic to open the door for her. After a brief word of thanks to the guard, Misty entered the castle.

The interior was just as magnificent as the outside, with high ceilings, long rugs in a rich rainbow of colors, and a grand marble stair that split into two flights leading to the upper levels. Crystalline scrollwork columns lined the walls, and between them were soft green-glassed lancet windows depicting leafy geometric trees. From above were strung twinkling gems that glowed warmly like lanterns with lights all their own. Streaming sunlight illuminated every nook and cast shafts of rainbows across the regal halls. A few ponies from the village were about, as well as a sprinkling of Royal Guards, but the corridors were empty for the most part.

As Misty stood there wondering where exactly to look for Princess Twilight’s throne room, a small purple dragon with green spines and emeralds for eyes walked up to her. In his claws he carried a scroll bearing Princess Luna’s seal.

“Hello,” said the dragon pleasantly. “You must be Misty Moonrise.”

Misty nodded. “I have urgent news for the princess.”

“This way.” The dragon bowed and led the way up the grand stairs and through the halls. He glanced over Princess Luna’s letter as they walked. “Hmm. Princess Luna doesn’t say why you’re here. What news do you have for Twilight?”

“I’m sorry, but I must speak with the princess first,” Misty replied, beginning to feel like a broken record.

The purple dragon paused at a great two-leaved door and turned to regard Misty Moonrise curiously. “You know, you remind me of Twilight when we first came to Ponyville.”

Misty was unsure what to make of that. “Is that a good thing?”

The dragon shrugged. “Depends on how you look at it, I guess.” Then he turned the knob and pushed the door inward.

The chamber they entered was wide and round, ringed by windows of soft green glass and walls of crystal. At the head of the room was the tallest window, whose olivine glass depicted the same leafy tree of geometric design as adorned the other castle windows. In a circle at the room’s center were seven thrones, six of which bore the marks of those to whom they belonged: three pink butterflies, a cloud and rainbow lightning bolt, three blue and yellow balloons, three blue gems, three red apples, and a magenta six-point star. Beside the princess’s throne was the seventh seat, smaller and just the right size for the pleasant purple dragon. Before the thrones was a raised dais, upon which rested a crystalline star to match the one that kept vigil atop the castle’s tallest spire.

Six ponies inhabited the throne room. One hovered lazily in the air high above—a sky blue pegasus with rainbows for her mane and tail and magenta eyes. Another pegasus sat on a throne, with a pale yellow coat, flowing pink hair, cyan eyes, and a white rabbit perched atop her head. The third mare, a light pink earth pony with wild, dark pink curls and bright blue eyes, was practically bouncing off the walls. The fourth—an orange earth pony with straw-colored mane and tail tied off simply at the ends, a brown rodeo hat, and determined green eyes—was trying desperately to calm the third. The fifth was a white unicorn with dark purple hair elegantly curled, and she was watching the progress of the orange mare with worried sapphire eyes. The last mare sat upon her throne, but was so surrounded by stacks of books that it was hard to see more than the tips of her ears.

The pink mare suddenly froze, spying the dragon and Misty. Then she began hopping in place. “They’re here! They’re here!”

The other ponies followed their energetic friend’s gaze.

“About time,” said the blue pegasus, swooping down and alighting on her seat.

The white unicorn tsked disapprovingly. “Don’t be so rude, Rainbow Dash. And Pinkie Pie, could you be a dear and please calm down just a smidge now?”

Pinkie Pie grinned and nodded, returning to her own seat.

“Landsakes!” exclaimed the orange mare as she trotted over to Misty and the dragon. “I thought she’d never stop! I reckon you’re Misty Moonrise. Name’s Applejack, an’ this here’s Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, an’ I reckon ya already met Spike.” She gestured to everypony as she named them. Then Applejack realized the seventh member of their company was still buried behind her books. “An’ that there bookworm’s Twilight Sparkle,” she said, loud enough to be heard by the pony in question.

The violet alicorn’s head popped up from the stacks of books, dark purple eyes blinking curiously at the mention of her name. Then she saw Misty and quickly enveloped her books in her magenta magic, setting them aside in neat stacks. Without the books hiding her, Misty could see her feathered wings and rose-and-purple-striped navy mane and tail. The princess was not wearing her royal crown, however.

Misty bowed respectfully as the princess approached her. “Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

“Please,” Twilight said, motioning for Misty to rise, “there’s no need to be so formal. Just ‘Twilight’ is fine.”

“Princess,” Misty repeated, “I have news of the utmost importance. Queen—”

“There you are!”

Misty ground her teeth in frustration as Steel Shield trotted up from behind her. The Tree of Harmony was going to be poisoned by the Queen of the Changelings and all Equestria invaded, and all anypony seemed to do in this place was cut Misty off!

“I thought I’d lost you,” said Steel Shield. “I wish you wouldn’t run off like that, Misty. The girls were worried they’d scared you off.”

“Do you know each other?” asked Twilight Sparkle.

“Oh, yes. We’re old foalhood friends.”

Misty Moonrise angrily stamped a fore hoof and shouted, “Queen Chrysalis has returned!”

The silence that fell upon the whole room was deafening. After a moment, Twilight turned to Steel Shield and said, “Wait outside please. Don’t let anypony disturb us.”

Steel glanced worriedly at Misty, but then saluted his princess and retreated. He closed the door firmly behind him.

Twilight returned her attention to Misty. “Tell us everything.”

Chapter 4: The Council of Friendship

Chapter Four

When Misty Moonrise’s tale was complete, silence reigned. It was a suffocating silence, as heavy and humid as a muggy summer afternoon. Everypony seemed too stunned to speak, even Princess Twilight, who sat upon her throne frowning, deep in thought. Misty shuffled her hooves nervously as she waited.

Fluttershy was the one to finally break the anxious atmosphere. “Is that even possible?” she asked quietly, glancing at Twilight Sparkle. The white rabbit that had been perched contentedly atop Fluttershy’s head throughout Misty’s recounting hopped down into her lap. Fluttershy began to absently stroke him as she continued, “Can the Tree of Harmony really be… killed?”

Twilight Sparkle shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“ ‘Eyes leaking shadow,’ ” Applejack muttered, scowling. “That sounds an awful lot like Sombra, but what the hay’s he doin’ back?”

“Quite right,” agreed Rarity. “I thought Princess Cadance defeated him for good when the Crystal Heart was recovered.”

Rainbow Dash harrumphed. “If Chrysalis can come back, why not King Sombra?”

“She does have a point,” put in Pinkie Pie.

“I don’t think Sombra has anything to do with this,” Misty interjected. “If he did, he would have been part of the dream.”

Twilight Sparkle rubbed her chin speculatively with a fore hoof, and then raised her gaze to Misty. “Was there anything else in the dream, anything at all?”

Misty Moonrise shook her head. “Nothing. But if Queen Chrysalis isn’t at the Tree by now, she’ll be there soon. She and her changelings will invade Equestria again.”

“Ya sound like we’ve already lost,” Applejack noted.

“I don’t know how,” said Misty, “but I know the dream was more than a dream. It will come to pass, very soon if it hasn’t already.”

Rarity shuddered. “Do you mean that, no matter what we do, we can’t stop this from happening?”

Before Misty could respond, Rainbow Dash suddenly shot into the air. “If Chrysalis thinks she can kill the Tree of Harmony, she’s got another thing coming!” she declared, zooming around the room and punching the air for emphasis. Then a magenta glow sprang up around Rainbow, pulling her up short.

Princess Twilight Sparkle returned her overenthusiastic friend to her seat, only then releasing her magic. “Rainbow, last time we were up against the changelings, only Cadance and Shining Armor had the power to defeat them. I doubt things will be any easier this time.”

“But last time you were just a plain old, everyday, ordinary unicorn, Twilight,” piped Pinkie Pie brightly. “Now you’re a superly fantastic, completely amazing, ultra-powerful alicorn!”

“Princess Celestia is an alicorn,” replied Twilight, “and even she didn’t last long against Chrysalis. But…” She smiled at her friends. “We do have a power stronger than alicorn magic.”

“If the Magic of Friendship can defeat Tirek,” said Spike, “surely it can stop Queen Chrysalis.”

“Misty,” said Twilight Sparkle, “have you ever experienced a dream like this before?”

The memory of Princess Luna’s nightmare flashed through Misty’s mind. She shook her head. Dreams belong to their dreamers alone, Princess Luna had said when she swore Misty to secrecy. She did not intend to betray that trust. “Not exactly…”

“Wait a minute.” Rainbow Dash darted into flight again and stopped, hovering, before Misty. Rainbow scowled at her suspiciously and jabbed a hoof at her. “How do we know this isn’t some scheme Chrysalis is pulling on us? You could be one of her changelings sent to lead us on a wild goose chase.”

Misty Moonrise rolled her eyes. “If I was a changeling—which I’m not—why would I choose to be somepony you’ve never met before?”

“You wouldn’t need to know anything special to fool us, that’s why,” retorted Rainbow Dash, wrinkling her muzzle and pushing her face even closer to Misty’s threateningly.

Misty snorted, nudging Rainbow Dash out of her personal space with a fore hoof. “Changelings feed off love. They’re more likely to disguise themselves as somepony you know so they can fool you and get a snack while they’re at it.”

“That’s true,” Fluttershy offered softly. “It wouldn’t make sense to trick us with somepony we don’t already know and trust.” She paused suddenly and blushed, ears falling as she glanced apologetically at Misty. “Oh, not that we don’t trust you, Misty Moonrise. I just meant, um…” Fluttershy trailed off.

“Besides,” Misty went on, “Steel Shield can vouch for me. We grew up together. A changeling pretending to be me wouldn’t know that.”

“The same way Chrysalis didn’t know Cadance was my old foal-sitter,” said Twilight as she stood and walked over to Misty. “When Cadance didn’t seem to remember me and didn’t act like the Cadance I remembered, I was suspicious. We can use gaps like that to ensure a changeling doesn’t trick us again. We needn’t be suspicious of everypony we meet. That sort of distrust will only help Chrysalis.” Twilight Sparkle turned to Misty and asked, “Did Chrysalis notice your presence in her dream?”

Misty Moonrise shook her head. “No. Princess Luna taught me not to interfere with somepony’s dreams unless it was absolutely necessary.”

“What does that mean?” queried Pinkie Pie.

“I can only reveal myself in somepony’s dream if their dream becomes a nightmare. Only then may I help them overcome whatever it is that caused the nightmare.”

“In any case,” said Princess Twilight, addressing her friends, “it’s just as well that Chrysalis doesn’t know we’re ready for her. We have the advantage.” She stepped onto the dais and walked up to the crystal star. “Come on, girls.”

The five other ponies left their thrones and joined Twilight Sparkle around the crystal star. As one, they each raised a fore hoof and closed their eyes. A strange wind picked up, tugging at Misty’s mane and tail. Light began to swirl within the crystal star, changing and flickering, strengthening and brightening. Then flashes of rainbows rippled from around all six ponies’ cutie marks, and a pillar of every color known and unknown erupted from the crystal star. It was so blindingly bright that Misty had to shade her eyes, watching as the beam of rainbow magic soared higher and higher, until it pierced the tower rafters far above them. With a single, resounding peal, a wave of power shot up the pillar and then back down to splash against the crystal star and bathe the six ponies in brilliance.

Misty blinked to clear her vision as the light finally faded. She stared in pure awe at the dissipating rainbow magic—she had never witnessed such an incredible display before. Power still hummed in the air like the lingering warmth from a doused fire.

“The Elements are safe,” announced Twilight as she and the others reopened their eyes. “We still have time to stop Chrysalis.”

“Then we’d best git movin’,” said Applejack. “There ain’t no tellin’ when Chrysalis’ll find the Tree.”

The others nodded and murmured in agreement, and they moved to leave.

Misty Moonrise hurried to block their way. “Wait!”

Princess Twilight raised an eyebrow, confused. “We can’t afford to wait, Misty. Queen Chrysalis may already be on her way to the Tree of Harmony.”

“But you don’t understand,” argued Misty. “You can’t stop her from getting to the Tree. You can’t stop her from tainting the Elements.”

Rarity trotted up to her, brow furrowed with concern. “I’m afraid you’re not making any sense, darling. You just finished telling us that Chrysalis intends to invade Equestria, starting with killing the Tree of Harmony.”

“Yes, but—”

“Simmer down, sugar cube,” said Applejack, joining Rarity. “Take a deep breath an’ start over.”

Misty did so, and then continued, “This was no ordinary dream. Queen Chrysalis will find the Tree of Harmony, she will try to kill it, and she will invade Equestria. None of that can be prevented, not even by you, princess.”

“The future isn’t set in stone, Misty,” said Twilight Sparkle gently. “A dream, even one belonging to Queen Chrysalis, is only a vision of what could happen. What really happens can be changed.”

Misty pinned her ears and shook her head. How could she make them understand? “I can’t explain it, Princess Twilight, but you just can’t change this.”

Twilight exchanged glances with her friends and said, “We leave for the Tree of Harmony in less than an hour.” She waited until her friends had filed out of the throne room. Spike paused at the door and looked back. “Give us a moment,” said Twilight.

Spike nodded. He pulled the door closed behind him, leaving the princess and Misty Moonrise alone.

Princess Twilight Sparkle fixed her amethyst gaze on Misty. “I understand you’re worried about Chrysalis’s return,” she said, not unkindly. “I also understand how hard it is to feel like no-pony believes you.”

Misty nodded, eyes downcast. “Everypony said that the Mare in the Moon was just an old pony’s tale, but you knew that Nightmare Moon would return. Princess Luna told me.”

Twilight smiled, placing a foreleg across Misty’s shoulders. “Princess Celestia believed me then, even if I didn’t know it at the time. And I believe you, Misty Moonrise, as I’m sure Princess Luna does.”

“But, princess—”

“Please, just ‘Twilight,’ ” she said, walking toward the door. “You’re among friends, Misty Moonrise. If you wish to accompany us, we’ll meet you at the edge of the Everfree Forest.”

Misty opened her mouth to argue, but then just sighed softly. “Yes, princess.”

Chapter 5: The Counselor and the Storyteller

Chapter Five

Steel Shield poked his head into the room after Princess Twilight had gone. Seeing Misty standing there alone, head hanging and ears fallen, he thought she looked almost about to cry. But Misty never cried, not even when they were foals. Concerned, he walked over to her. “Everything okay?”

Misty sighed and shook her head. “No, nothing’s okay. Steel, Queen Chrysalis is going to try to kill the Tree of Harmony and invade Equestria. No-pony will listen to me. They just hear ‘Chrysalis’ and decide they’re going to get to the Tree first, but they can’t.”

“Why not?” asked Steel, perplexed.

She released another hopeless sigh. “I don’t know.”

Steel Shield was quiet for a moment, and then an idea struck him. “Come on, Misty.”

“Where are we going?”

“To somepony who can help,” he replied confidently, leading the way out of the castle. As they walked through Ponyville, he tried to reassure his friend. “Don’t worry, you’ll like Nightingale. She’s not quite as… enthusiastic as Juniper Berry and Lilypad.”

“Whoever said I didn’t like Juniper Berry and Lilypad?” Misty asked suddenly.

Steel Shield raised an eyebrow. “Well, you did kind of run away from them.”

“But I didn’t dislike them,” she insisted. “They were a little noisy and they crowded me, but I know they didn’t mean to upset me. Besides, I was in a hurry to reach Princess Twilight. Not that it matters much now…” Misty hung her head again.

Steel Shield settled a wing over her in a friendly embrace. “Don’t be so gloomy. If you keep frowning like that, I’ll have to find a raincloud to follow you around.”

Misty could not help but smile a little at Steel’s jest. “Do you really think this Nightingale can help me?”

“Come on, when have I ever let you down?” He ruffled Misty’s mane with a hoof. “I’ve always got your back, Misty.”

That was certainly true. There was not a time when Steel Shield had abandoned her. Even after he moved away from Brumbyburg, he would come back at a moment’s notice if Misty really needed him. She had not needed him in quite some time, though. Still, it was nice to know that some things never changed.

Steel Shield stopped at a meadow near the edge of Ponyville. Wildflowers bloomed in brilliant rainbows of colors, and hummingbirds and bumblebees flitted among the flora. A stream wound through the meadow and away into the distant hills. Weeping willows and wisterias were sprinkled along the stream’s banks, their vines trailing blossoms of their own. Sitting in the shade of one of the willows were two ponies, a small earth pony mare and a unicorn stallion. The stallion had a warm brown coat and short, dark brown mane and tail. His eyes were earthy and kind, and on his flank he sported a white cloud and bright red feather quill. The mare was dark periwinkle with magenta eyes. Her dark blue mane and tail were neatly braided, though her forelock was a bit long and untidy. White splashed her hindquarters like spots of paint, and on them were a rosy heart and musical note.

“Here we are,” said Steel, taking wing. He flew ahead of Misty and hovered before the other two ponies. “Hey, guys!”

“Hello, Steel Shield,” said the unicorn. Beside him, the mare smiled brightly but said nothing.

“I want you to meet an old friend of mine,” Steel replied, alighting. He motioned for Misty to join him, and when she had done so began the introductions. “Guys, this is Misty Moonrise. Misty, this is Cloudy Day—” He pointed to the unicorn. “—and this is Nightingale.” He hooked a foreleg around the mare.

Cloudy Day looked away uncertainly, ears back. He almost seemed to be blushing.

Nightingale, on the other hoof, stepped closer to Misty and offered her a welcoming smile. When Misty returned the smile, Nightingale giggled merrily. She began to walk slow circles around Misty, looking her up and down, never losing her smile.

“Uh, Steel?” said Misty, confused by Nightingale’s odd behavior.

“Don’t worry,” Steel assured her. “She’s just working her magic. Tell her what you told me back at the castle.”

Magic? What sort of earth pony magic could help Misty? She sat down and sighed sadly, but nevertheless explained Chrysalis’s dream, what Princess Twilight and her friends intended to do about it, and how Misty could not explain why she felt this was the wrong thing to do. When she finished, she felt more uncertain than before and looked down at her hooves hopelessly.

A lavender lily abruptly appeared before Misty’s eyes, enveloped in a silvery aura of magic. Misty raised her gaze to see the quiet Cloudy Day standing in front of her. The same silvery magic which held aloft the lily sparkled around his horn.

Then a voice, pure and clear, rang out across the meadow:

You feel like you’re alone in the world,

You feel like you’re on your own.

You find your path is blocked by a wall

Too high for you to climb alone.

Misty turned to see it was Nightingale who was singing. Nightingale smiled and slipped a foreleg around her. Cloudy Day tucked the lavender lily into Misty’s mane as Nightingale continued:

Challenges you must face head-on,

And once you do, you’ll fin’lly see:

The answer you seek is here within,

The magic inside is the key.

Misty regarded Nightingale quizzically. “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

Steel Shield rolled his eyes. “You’re thinking too much with your head,” he said, scrunching up her nose with a hoof. Then he nudged her lightly in the chest. “Try thinking down here for a change.”

Misty closed her eyes and tried to do as Steel said. Why can’t Chrysalis’s dream be changed? she wondered silently, repeating it over and over again to herself. Why, why? It doesn’t make any sense. If it was a vision of what might happen, why can’t it be changed?

Nightingale nodded in satisfaction and stepped away from her new friend. She shooed Cloudy Day and Steel Shield away, motioning for them to follow her instead. Nightingale paused long enough to give Misty Moonrise a last glance, and then led the other two off to let Misty concentrate in peace.

When they were a little distance away from the meadow, Cloudy Day stopped and looked back. “Are you sure we should leave her alone, Nightingale?” he asked worriedly.

Nightingale nodded.

“C’mon, Cloudy,” said Steel, hovering in the air beside them. “Have you ever known Nightingale to be wrong?”

“Well, no, but… I don’t know, she just seemed like she could use some friends. All that talk about Queen Chrysalis coming back…” Cloudy shuddered. “It’s enough to give anypony bad dreams.”

“Don’t worry about Misty,” Steel Shield assured him. “She’s one of the smartest ponies I know. She’ll figure it out.”

Time seemed to slow for Misty as she sat beneath the willow in the meadow. A breeze ruffled her hair every now and then. The hum of the hummingbirds and the buzz of the bumblebees seemed too far away to be of any concern. She could not even hear the distant bustle of Ponyville from here.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. Finally, she knew.

Then Misty noticed that the shadows were longer than they had been when she first arrived. She looked up at the sun and found it had moved considerably closer to the horizon. Reds, pinks, and purples were beginning to tinge the sky as dusk settled over Equestria.

“Oh, no!”

Misty launched into a gallop, racing out of the meadow and back into Ponyville. She skidded to a stop outside the castle, where Steel Shield stood with Lilypad, Juniper Berry, Cloudy Day, and Nightingale. Steel was no longer in his armor, but when he saw the anxiety in Misty’s face, he looked as serious and ready for battle as he could have in full Royal Guard regalia.

“What is it, Misty?” he asked.

“The princess, has she left yet?” Misty panted.

“Twilight and the others entered the Everfree Forest over an hour ago, dear,” Lilypad answered. Beside her, Nightingale nodded in agreement.

“They waited for you,” put in Juniper, “but when you didn’t show up, they left.”

“Oh, no! Oh, no, no, no!” Misty stammered, leaping into another wild dash, this time toward the Everfree Forest. The other ponies galloped after her, Lilypad and Steel Shield following above by wing.

“Misty, wait!” Steel yelled as he came abreast of her. “What’s wrong?”

“I have to catch up to them,” replied Misty Moonrise breathlessly. “They don’t realize the danger they’re in.”

“Then we’re coming with you,” stated Cloudy Day firmly, running up on her left. Nightingale galloped beside him, and Lilypad soared above them. On Misty’s other side, Steel Shield flew beside her, and beside him ran Juniper Berry. They all appeared determined to follow her into the Everfree Forest after Princess Twilight and her friends.

Misty dug in her hooves, sliding to a stop on the very edge of the Forest of Everfree. She turned to face the others as they hastily halted as well. “No, it’s too dangerous. I can’t—”

“No friend of ours is running off into some terrible danger alone,” countered Juniper Berry, resolute.

For a moment, Misty was speechless. I’m their… friend? However, she quickly recovered and shook her head. “No, you can’t come with me, none of you.”

“Why ever not?” asked Lilypad as she and Steel Shield landed.

“I need you to stay here,” explained Misty, “in case the changelings start their invasion with Ponyville. Without Princess Twilight, Ponyville will be without its leader. I need you all to defend it until I can bring the princess and the others back.”

“Changelings?!” Lilypad gasped. “What are they doing in Equestria?”

“I’ll explain later,” Steel said hastily, and then returned his attention to Misty. He held her gaze for a time, but it was clear that her mind was made up. He sighed in defeat and wrapped his friend in a hug so tight Misty could barely breathe. “You better come back alive, Misty Moonrise,” Steel Shield said, releasing her. “I’ll never forgive you if you don’t.”

Misty nodded, and then turned to face the shadowy forest. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and set off as fast as she could through the trees. She had to catch up with Twilight Sparkle and her friends before it was too late.

Chapter 6: Queen of the Changelings

Chapter Six

Twilight Sparkle alighted at the bottom of the ravine. The cave which housed the Tree of Harmony was nearby, but there was no sign of Queen Chrysalis or her changelings.

Applejack walked up beside her. “Seems awful quiet.”

“A little too quiet,” agreed Twilight.

Suddenly, an avalanche of rock roared down the slope. The thunderous din was so jarring that the ground beneath their hooves trembled as with an earthquake. When the ravine was again still, Twilight turned to see what had been the cause of it all.

Standing atop a pile of rubble, Pinkie Pie dusted herself off. She noticed the sharp glares from her friends and ducked her head apologetically. “Sorry, my bad.”

Hovering above the others, Rainbow Dash let out an exasperated sigh. “So much for the element of surprise.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” said Rarity, hopping down from the last step of the stairs cut into the cliff. “It doesn’t look as if anypony’s been here since that horrid incident with Lord Tirek.”

“It does seem that way,” Twilight allowed, but she was still skeptical. There may not be any tracks, but changelings could fly just as easily as they could walk. She glanced at the others to make sure they were all present. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Spike, and… “Fluttershy?”

A pale yellow head peeked out over the top of the cliff. “Yes?”

Applejack scowled. “What the hay are ya doin’ up there?”

“Fluttershy, darling,” encouraged Rarity. “We need you to come down now.”

“Um…” Fluttershy mumbled. “I don’t think… I mean, if it’s not too much trouble… What I’m trying to say is, um…”

“Ugh! Spit it out already!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

“I… I don’t think this is a good idea,” Fluttershy managed at last.

“Why not?” asked Twilight Sparkle. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“Oh… well, um… I didn’t want to be a bother.”

“You’re being a bother now,” Rainbow grumbled.

Fluttershy did not appear to have heard. “It’s just that… well, I think we should have brought Misty Moonrise with us. She seemed so worried…”

“But we already waited a long time,” Spike said, “and she never showed up. It’s not like we can ask the changelings to wait until we’re ready to kick their tails.”

“I know, but…”

“Fluttershy.” Twilight stepped forward, careful to maintain a patient tone. “We can defeat Chrysalis without Misty Moonrise, but we can’t do it without you. Will you please come down?”

Fluttershy considered Twilight’s words, eyes still tight with anxiety. Then she took a deep breath and started down the stone steps. Though her progress was slow, Fluttershy did eventually join her friends at the bottom of the ravine.

“Okay,” said Twilight Sparkle, facing the cave. “Let’s go.”

They set off at a brisk trot, but slowed once they reached the yawning mouth of the cavern. The constant, faint glow from the Tree of Harmony within painted the earthen walls a pale, cool blue. Cautiously, they made their way inside.

A figure stood in shadow before the crystalline Tree. She was tall and slender, with a horn and wings.

Twilight Sparkle and the others stopped.

“It’s over, Chrysalis,” Twilight announced.

The figure turned upon hearing her, and a lush, flowing mane and tail billowed gently in a nonexistent wind. She was as white as snow, with mane and tail swirling with seafoam, blue, indigo, and pink. The royal purple eye which was not hidden by her thick forelock sparkled with an eternity of compassion. Upon her head she wore a golden crown, upon her hooves were golden slippers, and around her neck lay a golden torque. Both crown and torque bore identical amethysts. A blazing sunburst adorned her flank.

Twilight’s jaw dropped in amazement. “Princess Celestia?”

“Twilight, thank goodness you’ve come,” said the Sun Princess. She looked back at the Tree of Harmony. “The Elements of Harmony… they’re gone.”

Incredulous, the seven friends hurried up beside Princess Celestia. To their horror, the six Elements of Harmony were indeed missing. The niches which usually held them on the Tree were bare.

“We’re too late,” Twilight gasped.

Misty Moonrise tore through the forest as fast as her hooves could carry her, dodging trees and plowing through the underbrush. She leapt a washed-out embankment, nearly stumbled over knotty roots, jumped fallen logs—but no matter how hard she pushed herself, it felt like she was getting no closer to her destination. The path Princess Twilight and the others had taken was narrow and winding, but at least their tracks were still visible. She just hoped she was not too late.

Suddenly, the earth disappeared from under her. Misty plunged downward with a startled cry. Bits of rock and loose earth carried her down a steep slope like the inescapable rapids of a raging river. She scrabbled desperately for purchase, and her fore hooves found it in a narrow ridge of stone jutting out slightly from the cliff. Heart pounding wildly, Misty clung to the ridge for dear life, suspended over a sheer drop that would not end well if she let go.

The ridge began to crack, the rock Misty had thought was solid quickly turning to rubble. She scrambled to pull herself up, to somehow climb her way out of danger, but it was too late. The ridge crumbled. Screaming, Misty plummeted toward the ground.

Then, all of a sudden, she was not falling. Wind tore at her hair and face, so strong her eyes began to water. For a moment, Misty thought Steel Shield or Lilypad had followed her after all and had caught her midair. But then she saw the pair of sky blue wings rapidly pounding the air and the rainbow mane billowing in front of her.

“Gotcha!” cried Rainbow Dash triumphantly.

While relieved and grateful she was safe, Misty nevertheless felt a stab of disappointment when she realized it was neither Steel nor Lilypad who had saved her. She looked toward the ground as Rainbow Dash banked around to return to the ravine. Below, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Spike, and Princess Twilight Sparkle were racing out of the cave and gazing skyward. Relief washed over them all when they saw that Rainbow Dash had succeeded. When Rainbow at last landed, Misty Moonrise climbed off her back. Her legs were still a little wobbly, but, sweet Celestia, did it feel good to be on solid ground again!

“Thank you,” Misty said sincerely.

“Don’t mention it,” replied Rainbow Dash. “But what are you doing here? We thought you’d decided to stay in Ponyville.”

Misty shook her head. “No, I was trying to figure out why I felt Chrysalis couldn’t be stopped from getting to the Tree or invading Equestria, but I lost track of the time.”

“It doesn’t matter now, in any case,” said Princess Twilight. “Chrysalis has already been here—the Elements of Harmony are missing.”

“I know,” said Misty solemnly.

“You do?” the dragon and six ponies exclaimed as one, surprised.

Princess Twilight asked, “How?”

“It’s why we can’t prevent what happened in the dream,” Misty explained. “You were right, princess. A vision of the future can be changed, but this dream wasn’t of what might happen. I dreamed—no, Chrysalis dreamed—of what had already happened. We were too late from the moment I stumbled into that dream.”

“But that means…” sputtered Spike.

Wicked laughter from hundreds of raspy throats resounded throughout the ravine.

Princess Celestia walked out of the cave. She was searching for the source of the laughter as well, eyes scanning the area warily. “Twilight,” said Princess Celestia anxiously as she approached them. “We must hurry. There isn’t time to lose.”

Without thinking, Misty Moonrise sent a sphere of sapphire magic hurtling toward the Sun Princess. Celestia gasped and threw her wings up in an attempt to shield herself, but the orb was faster. She crashed into the far side of the ravine, rocks cracking and dust springing up at the impact.

Applejack jumped in front of Misty, scowling angrily. “Have ya lost yer mind?!”

“You just attacked the princess!” Rarity exclaimed in horror.

Rainbow Dash tackled Misty, pinning her to the ground. “No-pony hurts our princess, traitor!”

In a magical cloud of stardust, Misty vanished and reappeared a little ways from Rainbow Dash, standing upright. “She isn’t the princess!”

“What a clever little pony,” said Princess Celestia as she picked herself up, smirking at Misty. “But not clever enough.” A lime green aura sparked to life around her horn. Her eyes became black orbs of shadow, streaming purple smoke.

Suddenly, silvery mist poured over both sides of the ravine. It cascaded over the cliffs like foaming tides that soon surrounded them. From within the silvery clouds glinted the insectoid carapaces and hungry stares of changelings. Their gleeful hisses slithered through the air like a serpent through autumn leaves as they and the mysterious mist closed in.

“It’s a trap!” Twilight realized.

Princess Celestia laughed, the same cruel, warped laughter from the dream and from the day changelings had swarmed the streets of Canterlot. It did not belong with the princess’s regal visage, just as the sickly green magic was not hers. In the blink of an eye, Princess Celestia began to melt away to reveal another—the Queen of the Changelings.

“Such a bright little princess,” crooned Queen Chrysalis. “Tell me, Twilight, was I really so easy to forget that you couldn’t recognize me when you saw me?” She cackled, flying through the mist on buzzing, tattered wings. “Well, do you know me now?”

Twilight Sparkle glanced at Misty. “I’m sorry we didn’t listen to you, Misty.”

“I wouldn’t have listened to me either, princess,” Misty Moonrise assured her.

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Applejack intervened, “but how the hay are we gonna git outta this one?”

“Together,” answered Princess Twilight. Aside to Misty and Spike she whispered, too low for Chrysalis to hear, “Except for you two. Misty, use the transportation spell to get you and Spike to the top of the cliff.”

“But, princess—” Misty protested.

“No arguments! We need you to get back to Ponyville and warn the other princesses. We can hold them off for a little while, but if Chrysalis is anywhere near as powerful as she was before, we’ll need help. Now go!”

Misty wanted to stay, but she also knew that Princess Twilight was right. Somepony had to warn the real Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Reluctantly, Misty Moonrise relented. “Yes, princess.” She lifted Spike onto her back with a wisp of magic and promised, “I’ll come back for you, all of you.”

“We both will,” added Spike firmly.

Then, amidst a shimmering stardust haze, Misty Moonrise and Spike disappeared.

Queen Chrysalis laughed again. “Yes, warn your precious princesses! I welcome the opportunity to see them bow before their new queen!”

Angered, Twilight Sparkle sent a beam of magenta magic straight for the Changeling Queen. Chrysalis’s eyes narrowed, and she summoned a beam of her own magic to counter the attack. Like a clap of thunder, they collided. The blast sent both ponies and changelings sprawling.

Twilight hurried to all fours and turned to her friends. “Quickly, we must harness the Magic of Friendship before she recovers.”

The others hastily picked themselves up, but the changelings were doing the same. Queen Chrysalis was already airborne once more and scowling darkly at the six ponies. Then she smiled deviously, her aura swirling around her twisted horn.

“Not this time, princess!”

The mist surged forward, thick and cold and ominous. Like a great monster the mist converged on the six ponies, swallowing them whole.

It was difficult to see the others through the mist—they were only vague shadows and muffled voices. Twilight tried to dispel the silvery clouds with her own magic, but was shocked to find that her magic was dampened, as if covered by a blanket and suspended beyond reach. The edges of her vision began to blur, and her thoughts were becoming muddled and confused.

“We need to get out of this, now!” urged Twilight, searching the mist for her friends. She stumbled over something, landing splayed on the ground. When she looked at what had tripped her, she found Fluttershy curled into a tight, fearful ball. Twilight unsteadily got to all fours and helped Fluttershy do the same. “Come on, Fluttershy, we need to get the others and fly out of this.”

Fluttershy blinked slowly, almost as if she were drowsy. “I… can’t…” she admitted sadly. She tried to flap her wings, but barely managed to twitch a feather. “I just… can’t.”

“No, keep trying!” Twilight Sparkle ordered, scanning the mist for the others. “Applejack! Rarity! Pinkie! Rainbow!”

“Twilight?” Applejack called, walking on wobbly legs out of the gloom to her and Fluttershy.

Abruptly, Rainbow Dash crashed to earth nearby. She seemed to have trouble standing up again, and her wings hung useless at her sides. “Twilight, you’ve gotta zap us out of this stuff!” Rainbow shouted.

“I can’t,” Twilight responded. “My magic isn’t working. Where are the others?”

“We’re here!” came Pinkie Pie’s reply. A pair of fuzzy shadows resolved into the pink mare and, leaning on her for support, Rarity.

Suddenly, Queen Chrysalis’s voice resounded from all directions. “How do you like my new power, little ponies?” Her mad laughter echoed as if from inside a cavern. “Isn’t it just fabulous! I learned it in that wasteland I was sent to when I was banished from Equestria.”

“Together, girls,” said Twilight Sparkle, trying to ignore Chrysalis.

The others dragged themselves closer, until they were in a circle. They closed their eyes and each raised a fore hoof, looking deep within for the magic which had allowed them to defeat Lord Tirek. Warmth began to fill their hearts, and a spark of light glimmered in the center of their circle. The river of rainbow magic which had rushed through them on that fateful day raced for them now.

Rarity collapsed.

The rainbow magic vanished.

“Rarity!” the others exclaimed.

Then Applejack, too, fell to the ground. Pinkie Pie was the next one to fall, followed by Rainbow Dash, and then Fluttershy. Twilight felt unconsciousness tugging at her mind, weakening her will to resist. She struggled to stay upright and awake as long as she could, but soon it was too much even for her. She collapsed, unable to keep her eyes open any longer.

Just before she slipped away, Twilight heard the triumphant laughter of the horde of changelings and the warped voice of Queen Chrysalis.

“Equestria is mine! All mine!”

Chapter 7: Nothing But a Withered Dream

Chapter Seven

A biting chill swept through the darkness which had consumed Twilight Sparkle. Her head throbbed with a terrible ache, but her thoughts were a little less foggy. She slowly raised heavy eyelids, bleary and dazed. The world was hazy and indistinct for a few moments, but soon her vision sharpened.

She was no longer out in the ravine. Instead, she and the others were inside the cave which sheltered the Tree of Harmony. The Tree itself looked as it always had, glittering and crystalline and flawless. Silvery mist hung in the air here as well, though not nearly as thickly as it had outside. The ethereal vapor maintained even now the spell which prevented Twilight from using her magic and kept her friends unconscious.

The buzzing of wings from the cave mouth alerted Twilight first. She tried to push herself up, to stand and face the changelings before they descended on her friends again, but the pervading mist sapped all strength from her limbs. Twilight Sparkle was only able to achieve a sitting position, but she held herself upright with all the dignity befitting a Princess of Equestria.

The black form of Queen Chrysalis appeared, flanked by a pair of changelings. She alighted nimbly on the stone floor before the Tree of Harmony. Her eyes retained that unnatural black glow, those streaming shadows. Chrysalis regarded the Tree with a faint smile upon her lips, and then she turned to Twilight.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” asked the Changeling Queen. “I expected more of a challenge, really. I never thought getting here would be so easy.” She chuckled darkly.

“You won’t succeed,” Twilight countered.

“But I already have,” responded Chrysalis. Then she tilted her head to one side, as if a thought had just occurred to her. “Oh, that’s right… I nearly forgot.” Her sickly green aura pulsed around her twisted horn, and a ray of magic struck the Tree.

The air shimmered, blurring the Tree. When the mirage fell away, the healthy, pristine Tree of Harmony was no more. Instead, there now stood a Tree whose crystal was dull and swimming with shadows. Veins of black and red clawed up the trunk and along the branches like poisonous spider webs, pulsing. Cracks like wounds had split across the carvings of the moon and sun, bleeding acrid smoke.

The Tree of Harmony was dying.

Horror, terror, pain, sorrow—they all flooded Twilight’s heart at the sight. She wrenched her gaze away, forcing herself to remain calm. She would not give Chrysalis the pleasure of seeing how truly shattered and hopeless she felt inside. “Don’t you have better things to do than gloat?”

“But of course,” replied Chrysalis, walking over to Twilight. She looked haughtily down at the fallen princess and crooned, “Tell me where you hid them.”

“What?”

Chrysalis scowled darkly, sneering. “Don’t play coy with me! I know you’ve hidden them somewhere!”

“Hidden what?” asked Twilight Sparkle, completely bewildered.

Queen Chrysalis’s magic blazed to life as she took a threatening step closer. “You try my patience, princess,” she warned, voice low and venomous. “Answer me! Where are your precious Elements?”

Comprehension flickered amidst Twilight’s muddled thoughts. She felt a confident smile tug at her lips and a new strength rise in her heart. “The Elements of Harmony are everywhere,” stated Twilight boldly, meeting Chrysalis’s black stare unwaveringly. “If you cannot find them, you are not meant to have them. Only those with friendship in their hearts will ever know the true power of the Elements. You will never know it.”

Chrysalis bared her fangs in a snarl, her magic spitting and sparking almost as much as her own fury. “Fine,” she hissed, summoning new waves of mist. “I do not need the Elements to claim what’s rightfully mine. By dawn, your precious Harmony will be nothing but a withered dream.” Queen Chrysalis buzzed into flight and departed, her changeling guards following close behind.

Twilight Sparkle glanced up at the tainted Tree as the fresh mist swirled around her, drawing her deeper into the folds of unconsciousness. There was no doubt that Chrysalis’s new, evil power was killing the Tree of Harmony, but Twilight did not feel fear or despair now.

She felt hope.

Queen Chrysalis hovered in the starry sky far above the Everfree Forest. The land was spread before her like a canvas beneath the shadowed dome of night. From this height, she could see across the Everfree treetops to the castle reigning over Ponyville, and beyond to the rolling hills and mountains. Canterlot was an indistinct smudge on the horizon, barely perceptible but there nevertheless.

She turned to her subjects, sweeping her gaze over the hovering ranks of the changeling army she had rallied for this very moment. They looked upon Chrysalis with worship in their eyes and devotion in their hearts. The buzz of their beating wings and the rasping of their whispers drowned out the normal nighttime noises of the forest below, replacing fiddling crickets and hooting owls with a changeling symphony.

“The time has come, my subjects,” announced Queen Chrysalis, voice ringing through the night. “We have waited in the shadows long, but we shall wait no more. We found Equestria’s greatest defense and shattered it! It’s time to take back what was ours so long ago! It’s time to feed on these pathetic ponies’ love, feed like we never have before! These are their final hours! Tomorrow, the dawn shall break upon a new empire—the Changeling Empire!”

The changelings roared in response, cheering, frenzied.

Queen Chrysalis summoned an emerald bolt of lightning from the clear sky. The air itself trembled with the force of the jagged bolt’s screaming crack. The changelings unleashed wild howls and screams of delight.

Chrysalis smiled. Equestria’s end had begun.

Chapter 8: The Everfree Enchantress

Chapter Eight

“Can’t you go any faster?” Spike urged from astride Misty Moonrise.

Misty flicked her ears back in frustration, but pushed herself for every last scrap of speed. “I’m running as fast as I can,” she replied, trying to ignore the exhaustion burning in her legs and lungs. She came to a fallen log and leapt clear over it. She stumbled a little upon landing, but recovered quickly and galloped onward.

Spike fought Misty’s flying mane out of his face—Twilight’s mane was never so long and bothersome when he rode on her back. “What about that transportation spell? Just zap us to Ponyville!”

“I can only use that spell over short distances,” said Misty. “I’m not practiced enough to transport myself, let alone both of us, all the way from the Tree of Harmony to Ponyville. Besides, we’re almost—”

Before she could finish, a blue blur tackled her to the ground. Spike was sent rolling through the brush, until he slammed into a pair of large hooves about as movable as a mountain. He rubbed the back of his head, which had taken the brunt of the sudden stop, and looked up to see a familiar mahogany pegasus.

“Oh, we were so worried!” Juniper Berry exclaimed, hugging Misty tightly.

Misty tried to pick herself up and respond, but Juniper just tightened her embrace more, squeezing the breath from Misty.

Lilypad came to the rescue. “Juniper, dear,” she said, fluttering over to alight beside them. “Your enthusiasm is appreciated, but you’re crushing her.”

Juniper Berry quickly released Misty with a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

Finally able to breathe again, Misty replied, “It’s okay. But what are you doing here?”

“We took care of things in Ponyville,” answered Steel Shield, helping Spike to his feet. “The Royal Guard’s assembled and ready for the changelings, and everypony else has been told to stay indoors.”

“And we sent word ahead to Canterlot,” Lilypad put in. “The princesses won’t be caught off guard.”

“So we came to help you,” added Cloudy Day, walking out of the shadows. Nightingale was with him, and she nodded firmly in agreement.

“But…” Juniper Berry looked back the way Misty had come anxiously. “Where are the others?”

Misty and Spike traded glances, and then they quickly explained the situation. When they had finished, the other five ponies stared at them in stunned silence. Cloudy Day’s ears drooped, and he looked ready to huddle in on himself. Nightingale appeared bewildered, but also determined. Lilypad began to hover slightly above the ground, fretting quietly to herself and seemingly unaware that she had taken flight. Juniper Berry was crestfallen, with ears back and eyes downcast.

Steel Shield, however, was angry. He snorted and stamped a fore hoof emphatically. “Well, what are we standing around for? Let’s go!”

“Wait!” Misty forestalled. “The mist—I don’t know what it does, but I know it’s dangerous. We can’t run blindly into this.”

“Then what’re we supposed to do?”

“Zecora!” Spike exclaimed, suddenly excited. “If anypony knows how to get rid of that mist, it’ll be her. C’mon, her place isn’t far from here.” With that, he hurried off into the Everfree depths once more.

They followed Spike down a path lined with ferns and bracken, brightly colored mushrooms, and moss that hung from branches like curtains. At the end of the path, Spike pulled aside more of the draping vegetation to reveal a gnarled and ancient tree with looping jungle vines and corked potion vials suspended from its twisting boughs. Sprawling roots formed the front steps, which led to a door and windows that gave the wide trunk of the old tree the semblance of a face. An exotic mask watched the path to the hut, and another mask hung upon the door lintel. From within, the warm glow of a fire signaled that somepony was home.

A zebra answered Spike’s knock, her black and white mane standing up stiff and straight, her mysterious blue eyes widening in surprise. Around her neck she wore golden dzilla bangles, with more gracing her left foreleg, and heavy gold earrings. Upon her flank was a curious, tribal spiral sun in the same black and white which striped her body.

“This night is a most unfriendly one,” said Zecora, her voice deep and rich, with an accent as exotic as her appearance. “Tell me, why is it that you have come?”

“We need your help,” replied Spike, and he swiftly explained to the zebra what he and Misty had told the others. “We have to get through the mist,” he finished.

Zecora nodded, brow furrowed in thought. “The Shards of Shadow are being gathered,” she muttered. “The Fell Mists are a dangerous hazard.”

“Do you know how to dispel them?” Misty Moonrise asked.

“Fell Mists without their conjurer will fade,” said Zecora, disappearing inside her hut briefly. When she reappeared, she wore a brown cloak and satchel. “ ’Til then, their ill effects we must forbade.”

“ ‘Ill effects’?” echoed Cloudy Day with a shudder. “What do they do?”

Zecora closed her front door and started off into the forest. She waited until the others had caught up to her before replying, “These mists so silver seem harmless at first, but, of all dark magic, they are the worst. Unicorn magic like a candle they snuff out, and even pegasi can no more fly about. Even the earth ponies’ strength they sap! The Changeling Queen has set a mean trap.”

Suddenly, the shuttering of changeling wings rasped from overhead. When the ponies, zebra, and dragon looked up, through the branches they glimpsed the racing horde. Hundreds—no, thousands—of changelings blotted out the night, cackling and hissing like the last brown leaves of autumn on a blustery evening. Their passing made the Everfree trees shiver. The very air seemed to grow cold with fear. By the time the terrifying army had gone, dark clouds had settled over the heavens, hiding the stars and moon and casting all Equestria in shadow.

Misty Moonrise recovered first, fighting back the terror gripping her heart. “We’re wasting time.” She placed Spike on her back with a wisp of magic and forged ahead at a full gallop. The thunder of the others’ hooves were not long in following.

They reached the ravine without encountering any more changelings. They stood along the ridge, gazing upon the silver river of Fell Mists that swirled below. There was no sign of Princess Twilight or the others.

Steel Shield spread his wings, but Zecora stopped him before he could take flight.

“Our friends below in the silvery deep,” Zecora cautioned, “would not want us also to fall asleep.” She retrieved from her satchel a vial of dark orange liquid. “Breathe of the sun-nectar before descent—the Fell Mists cannot overcome its scent.” Zecora unstoppered the vial and held it before her nose, inhaling deeply. Then she passed the vial to Spike, who did the same.

“Gah!” Spike’s eyes began to water. He quickly gave the vial to Misty, glad to be rid of it. “You could have warned us, Zecora.”

A bit suspicious now, Misty cautiously sniffed the potion. She immediately wished she had not, squeezing her watering eyes shut. It felt like a spear of pure flame had shot through her nose to her brain, igniting a blaze inside her that burned and raged like nothing she had ever felt before.

“The initial spark does not last long,” urged Zecora, a little impatiently. “Hurry now, before all hope is gone!”

Misty gritted her teeth and inhaled the fiery aroma deeply, sending a wildfire racing through her from horn to hoof. She passed the vial on to Steel Shield, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the others as they each breathed in the scent of the sun-nectar and encountered for themselves its inferno effects. But the fire soon cooled inside Misty Moonrise, just as Zecora had said it would, though she felt a residual warmth in her breast, like a shield of embers protecting her heart.

Misty started down the stone stairs, but then hesitated. She looked back at Zecora and asked, “The mists won’t harm us now? It’s safe?”

Stoppering the vial and returning it to her satchel, Zecora nodded.

Misty Moonrise turned back to the swirling silver mist. She could feel Spike’s claws gripping her mane tightly—he was so worried about his friends, he probably did not even notice.

It’s time to stop being afraid, she told herself firmly, plunging into the mist.

A part of her expected something to happen, but with the sun-nectar warming her Misty felt only the cool vapor’s dewy caress. With the clopping of the others’ hooves as they descended the stair behind her to bolster her confidence, Misty Moonrise hurried to the bottom of the ravine. Her sapphire aura glowed as she illuminated the Fell Mists’ concealing gloom. Neither the princess nor anypony else were where Misty and Spike had last left them, so Misty led the way instead into the cave.

The mist was thickest here, but the tainted Tree of Harmony was no less obscured. The sight sent a chill quite different from the Fell Mists coursing through Misty. Then she saw the figures slumped on the ground before the dying Tree.

“In here!” she shouted, going to the sleeping ponies. Spike slipped from her back and ran straight to Twilight.

Zecora produced the sun-nectar again and began administering it to each of the six ponies in turn as Steel and the others gathered around. The effect was immediate.

“Wow!” Pinkie Pie bounced up, her already crazy curls frazzling wildly.

Rarity delicately covered her muzzle with a fore hoof. “Sweet Celestia, what a positively horrid incense!”

Fluttershy released an involuntary scream, as if struck by lightning.

“Hoo-wee!” exclaimed Applejack. “That’ll clear the sinuses, sure as shootin’.”

Rainbow Dash shot into the air from the jolt of the sun-nectar, inadvertently ramming her head against the cavern ceiling. “Ow! What the—” Then she blinked, realizing she was airborne, and grinned. “Yes! The Dash is back!”

“Twilight!” Spike wrapped his arms around his friend. “Told you we’d come back. Are you okay?”

Twilight Sparkle shook her head to clear it of the sun-nectar’s fiery aroma. Then she smiled at Spike and returned the hug. “I am now. Thank you.” She glanced over Spike’s spines at Misty Moonrise and her companions. “All of you.”

“Relieved we are that all of you are well,” said Zecora as she set her satchel on the ground before the tainted Tree, “but Chrysalis sounds a terrible knell. You must not tarry longer, Twilight. Defeat Chrysalis this darkest night.”

“She’s right,” agreed Twilight, picking herself up. “We must hurry. Chrysalis is already on her way to Canterlot.”

“Canterlot?” echoed Lilypad, puzzled. “Why ever would she go there when Ponyville is closer?”

“It’s where she was defeated last time,” supplied Rarity. “It only makes sense for her to want to start there.”

Applejack snorted derisively. “That changelin’s got a hankerin’ for punishment, if ya ask me. What makes her think she’ll do better this time ’round?”

Fluttershy let out a startled squeak, drawing everypony’s attention to her. She stood with her back to the others, staring fearfully up at the tainted Tree. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack gasped simultaneously—it was the first time they had seen the Tree of Harmony in its withering state.

Misty Moonrise just sighed. She had thought that Chrysalis would return the tainted Elements of Harmony to the Tree before making for Canterlot. “Chrysalis still has the Elements, then.”

“No,” Twilight assured her. “Chrysalis doesn’t have them. She doesn’t even know where they are.”

“But she had them in the dream,” Misty went on. “She used them to taint the Tree. I saw her do it.”

Zecora walked over to Misty and Twilight. “A vision of the past you might have seen,” said she. “Nevertheless, it was still just a dream.”

“Don’t worry about the Elements, Misty,” said Twilight Sparkle. “They are quite safe. But we must leave. I can get us to Ponyville, but we’ll need to find another way to reach Canterlot after that. Zecora, Chrysalis said the Tree will be dead when the sun rises. Will you stay here and do what you can to keep the Tree alive?”

“Of course, I will try to slow the poison’s progress,” said Zecora, already taking from her satchel more vials and herbs and a worn book with strips of cloth for bookmarks. “However, to cure it by dawn… I can’t promise.”

“Thank you, Zecora.” Twilight returned her attention to the others. “All right, gather around. I don’t want to leave anypony behind.” When they had done as she said, Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes and summoned her magic. No sooner had her aura begun to glimmer than a blazing magenta light engulfed them all.

Chapter 9: To Canterlot

Chapter Nine

The Queen of the Changelings flew slowly through the grand city of Canterlot. The cobblestone streets were deserted, not a pony to be seen. Not a light shone in the whole of the city; every window was dark. Canterlot felt… empty.

Her faithful changelings looked to her for orders. Queen Chrysalis gave them leave to search the city and feed, but had a portion of the vast army remain with her just to be safe. She beckoned ten of them closer.

“Watch the roads to the city,” Chrysalis instructed. “Discourage any visitors.”

The ten changelings snickered wickedly among themselves and flitted away.

As Queen Chrysalis began her cautious progress deeper into the city, the dark clouds blotting out the night above were pierced by a shaft of pale, cold light. The clouds recoiled from the beam, baring a circle of starry sky. The sliver of moon shone ghostly and ethereal upon Canterlot through the break in the clouds. The shaft of moonlight fell on the city square before the gates of Royal Palace, bathing the great fountain therein in its glow.

Intrigued but wary, Queen Chrysalis and her entourage followed the moonlight into the square. Chrysalis alighted before the fountain, eyes narrowed suspiciously. Water flowed from the mouths of a pair of marble, rearing unicorns, splashing into the clear pool at their hooves.

Suddenly, a blast of golden magic sent Chrysalis and her changelings flying. They crashed into the side of a building and fell, sprawled, to the ground. Chrysalis hissed in fury as she quickly righted herself and searched the square for the attacker.

Her black stare found the amethyst, resolute gaze of the Sun Princess. Celestia stood at the far side of the square, horn aglow with her golden aura and great white wings raised. Her vibrant mane and tail streamed in the still air as if in a wild storm.

Queen Chrysalis smiled wickedly and took flight, slowly closing the distance between them. “Well, well, well. Celestia, it’s been too long.”

“Not long enough,” retorted Princess Celestia.

“Come now, Celestia,” crooned Chrysalis, pausing beside the fountain. “Is that any way to address your queen?”

A second bolt of magic, this one as blue as the sea, collided with Chrysalis. Caught by surprise yet again, she careened into the side of a tailor’s shop and collapsed in a cloud of rock and dust. Her changelings swiftly went to her aid, clearing the debris and helping her to stand. Infuriated, Chrysalis shook them off and glared at her newest opponent.

The Moon Princess stood upon the pedestal which supported the fountain’s statues, but now one of the marble unicorns was gone. Princess Luna’s horn was alight with her cobalt aura, and the last vestiges of the statue disguise were fading from her legs and tail. When she leapt from the fountain to the cobblestones of the square, the illusion had disappeared completely.

“You are not our queen,” intoned Princess Luna, “and you never shall be.”

“This is your one and only chance, Chrysalis,” stated Princess Celestia, joining her sister. “Leave Equestria peacefully.”

Queen Chrysalis began to laugh, wild and cruel laughter such as the two princesses had never heard. The Changeling Queen rose into the air on buzzing wings as she cackled, her sickly green aura enveloping her twisted horn. An otherworldly wind gusted through the square, causing the dark clouds above to shiver and roil, tangling her lank mane and tail. The unnatural black light of her eyes seemed to grow at once darker and brighter, and the streaming purple shadows writhed madly as her dark power surged.

“You really think to challenge me now?” Chrysalis cried. “I am far more powerful than any alicorn! I have poisoned your Tree of Harmony and defeated your champions of friendship! Your precious Harmony is gone forever! After tonight, Equestria will be no more! Even the great Crystal Empire will cower before me and fall! And from the ruins of war will rise a new and glorious Changeling Empire!”

Princess Celestia exchanged a silent glance with her sister.

Princess Luna nodded, and then fixed her gaze on the changelings.

Resigned, Celestia faced the Changeling Queen once more. “So be it.”

Ponyville was silent and still, devoid of the ponies that had flooded the streets earlier that day, though Misty did spot a curious foal in a window briefly before its parent ushered it back and drew the curtains. Princess Twilight Sparkle stood beside one of the ropes tethering the town’s hot-air balloon to the ground, speaking with Steel Shield. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity were already aboard the massive balloon’s basket. Spike had been sent to take charge at the castle.

“I don’t understand,” whispered Juniper Berry, who stood beside Misty. Cloudy Day, Lilypad, and Nightingale stood on Misty’s other side. “Why didn’t Twilight take us straight to Canterlot? Traveling by poof! is way faster than by hot-air balloon.”

“Even alicorns can get tired from using complex magic for a long period of time or over great distances,” Misty Moonrise explained patiently. “The transportation spell is relatively simple, but Canterlot is too far away. Princess Twilight wouldn’t have any strength left to fight Chrysalis if she took us all the way there from the Everfree Forest.”

“Oh…”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news,” said Lilypad quietly, “but we aren’t all going to fit in that basket.”

“That’s why we’re taking the train,” replied Misty. “It won’t be as fast as hot-air balloon, but it’ll be fast enough.”

“Misty Moonrise.”

Misty hurried to Princess Twilight. “Yes, princess?”

Rainbow Dash kicked free the pegs from the earth that anchored the balloon. As the balloon rose into the night, she called to Twilight, “Ready!”

Twilight Sparkle looked like she had been about to say something important, but instead she just sighed and said to Misty, “Be careful.”

“You, too, princess,” Misty returned. She stepped back as the princess spread her wings and launched into flight. Above, Fluttershy gave both Twilight and Rainbow ropes that had been secured to the basket at one end and fashioned into hasty loops at the other. All three winged ponies slipped the simple harnesses on.

“C’mon, Steel!” Rainbow Dash shouted, holding a fourth rope harness.

Misty looked at her old friend in shock. She had thought he would come with her and the others on the train.

Steel Shield averted his gaze, as if ashamed. “I’m a knight in the Royal Guard,” he said by way of explanation. “I must protect my princess.”

Misty Moonrise smiled kindly and hugged him. “I know. I understand.” She stepped back to give Steel room to take off. “We’re right behind you.”

Steel nodded, and then shot skyward. He put on the makeshift harness and, along with Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Princess Twilight, pulled the hot-air balloon faster than it could fly on its own. Soon, they were just a speck in the distance.

Returning to the task at hoof, Misty started off toward the train station. The others quickly followed. Spike must have sent word ahead, for the engineers had the train’s engine roaring and ready to go. Only one car was linked behind the engine and coal car—the others had been uncoupled. They would need all the speed they could get, and extra weight would only slow them down. Once the five ponies were aboard, the engine whistle shrilled and the train chugged forward, swiftly gaining speed.

Misty Moonrise took a seat by a window. She watched the shadowed scenery roll by for a time, but soon her eyes were inexorably drawn to the silhouette of Canterlot far ahead. Flashes of light like bursts of lightning ignited into being every so often—the battle was underway. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would prove a mighty challenge to Chrysalis, Misty had no doubt. But how long could they hold out against the Changeling Queen’s newfound power? Princess Twilight and the others had barely lasted a few minutes, although that had been because of the Fell Mists, and everypony was immune to those now. Except for Celestia and Luna.

And the Elements. Princess Twilight had said not to worry, that they were safe, but where in the wide, wide world of Equestria were they? If Chrysalis did not have them and Twilight did not have them, who did? Misty Moonrise had been so sure they would be with the Tree of Harmony—it was through the Elements Chrysalis poisoned the Tree, after all, in the dream. But was Zecora right? Was that part of the dream just a dream?

Juniper Berry plopped down on the seat next to Misty, startling her. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to make you jump,” Juniper apologized with a giggle.

“It’s all right,” Misty assured her, looking out the window again.

Juniper followed her gaze and asked, “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You look a little scared.”

“I’m not scared,” Misty lied.

Juniper Berry gave her a smile that said she was unconvinced. “You shouldn’t keep stuff like that all bottled up inside, you know. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid.”

Misty turned away from the window to regard Juniper Berry seriously. “Fear keeps you from doing what needs to be done. You can’t be happy when you’re afraid. You can’t do anything, you’re just… frozen.”

Juniper laughed.

Misty scowled in confusion. “Why are you laughing?”

“Why not?” Juniper replied through her giggles. “There’s nothing a good laugh can’t fix—Pinkie Pie taught me that. Try it.”

“This isn’t the time for laughing!”

“Silly filly.” Juniper raised a hoof and wriggled Misty’s muzzle. “Nothing can scare you if you just laugh. Laughing makes everything brighter and better.” Then she tickled Misty’s ribs, finally drawing out a giggle from her. “See?”

Misty swatted away Juniper’s tickling hooves, but it was a half-hearted motion. She did feel better. “Okay, okay! I guess you’re right. Thank you, Juniper.”

Juniper Berry beamed.

“Uh, guys…” Cloudy Day called from the front of the car. He stood at the door leading out to the coal car, peering anxiously through the window. “We have a problem!”

Misty Moonrise, Juniper Berry, Lilypad, and Nightingale hastened to the window and huddled together to get a look outside.

Four changelings hovered between the passenger and coal cars. Three of them were straining to unlatch the coupling that linked the cars together. The overseer glanced back at the ponies and grinned evilly.

“We can’t simply stand here gawking!” Lilypad cried. “Open the door!”

Cloudy tried, but the door would not budge. “They’ve locked it from the outside!”

“Stand back!” Misty interceded, summoning her magic. The others swiftly retreated behind her. In a shower of sapphire sparks, Misty launched a swirling sphere of magic straight for the door. A flash of light, an earsplitting explosion—the door was blown clean off its hinges. The changelings scattered, but then regrouped and faced the ponies with angry hisses.

With her friends beside her, Misty charged. As they clashed with the changelings, the changelings morphed into exact replicas of the ponies. It was so disorienting that the ponies hesitated, staring not at changeling soldiers, but at mirror images of themselves.

Then bright laughter rang out. They all turned to see Juniper Berry—the real one—doubled over in a fierce fit of giggles. The changeling-ponies exchanged puzzled glances, but Misty Moonrise had an idea. She fixed her gaze on the changeling-Misty across from her.

And laughed.

It was a wonderful feeling, laughing at the utter absurdity of it all. How could the changelings think this would work? Turning into ponies, into herself and her friends—it was absolutely ridiculous! Who could not laugh at such a thing?

One by one, Nightingale, Lilypad, and Cloudy Day joined Misty and Juniper, laughing in the face of danger, refusing to let fear best them.

The changelings were baffled by this turn of events. They were so flummoxed that they backed away a little, unsure how to proceed. But a fifth changeling buzzed into the car, surveyed the situation, and shrieked an order. The transformed changelings immediately abandoned their disguises and advanced with fangs bared in devilish glee.

In an instant, Misty raised a sapphire shield before her and her friends, stopping the changelings in their tracks. They hissed in frustration and swooped around the barrier. Misty dropped the shield and instead sent another sapphire sphere hurtling toward the center changeling. Beside her, Cloudy Day reared and struck down a changeling with his fore hooves. Nightingale dodged a diving changeling, whirled around, and sent it sprawling with a powerful kick from her hind legs disproportionate to her small size. Above them all, Lilypad danced circles around a changeling midair, making it so dizzy that it could not fly straight.

The fifth changeling, still hovering in the doorway, growled angrily. It flitted down to the coupling lock and began tugging fiercely on the latch. When the bar barely budged, the changeling shrieked for assistance, and the four changelings fighting the ponies hastened to their leader’s aid. With the strength of all five changelings, the latch began to rise.

Misty prepared a third magical sphere, but, before she could launch it, a large pegasus suddenly fell upon the changelings like a whirlwind. In a flurry of hooves and feathers, the changelings were pummeled and sent packing. When the changelings were gone and the action died down, the pegasus turned to the five ponies and joined them inside the car.

“I’m gone for five minutes and look what happens,” said Steel Shield, folding his wings. “Admit it, you guys would be lost without me.”

“Steel!” they exclaimed simultaneously and tackled him in a crushing group hug.

“Ack! Don’t go getting all mushy on me,” Steel protested, but it was clear that he was just as glad to see them as they were to see him.

“What are you doing here?” asked Misty as they finally released him. “You’re supposed to be protecting the princess.”

“The princess isn’t exactly helpless,” replied Steel Shield. “More importantly, though, I couldn’t just leave you guys. It just wasn’t right. You’re my friends—if I belong anywhere, it’s here.”

A warmth that had nothing to do with the sun-nectar rose in Misty Moonrise, and she smiled. “It’s good to have you back, Steel.”

Lilypad fluttered over from the doorway abruptly, long-lashed eyes wide in panic. “I hate to interrupt, but we have company.”

The ponies followed Lilypad out onto the platform. Lilypad and Steel Shield flew out alongside the car, giving the others room to stand and crane their necks to look around the coal car to the engine.

Five more changelings were attacking the engine, harassing the engineers and preventing them from controlling the train. On the outside, the changelings battered the metal frame. Inside, they smashed the controls and dowsed the fires that gave the engine speed. By the time Steel Shield and Lilypad flew over to intervene, the changelings had finished their demolition and buzzed away, cackling in victory.

Without its fires to propel itself along the tracks, the train slowed to a crawl, and then finally ground to a halt. Misty and the others hopped off the platform and hurried up to the engine, where the engineers were assessing the damage with grim expressions.

“Is everypony okay?” asked Juniper Berry.

“We’re fine,” assured one of the engineers, “but this train won’t be going anywhere any time soon.”

“Thank you for taking us this far,” said Misty Moonrise sincerely.

“Right,” Steel Shield put in. “We’ll send some help once we take care of things in Canterlot.”

“Don’t you worry about us none,” said the other engineer. “Go give those changelings what for!”

Misty Moonrise turned to the mountain that towered into the dark sky before them. Canterlot awaited at the top. “Come on,” she said to the others. “We can follow the rails up the mountain.”

“Ya’re takin’ the long way ’round,” said an unfamiliar, heavily accented voice.

Misty paused and glanced back at the other five ponies. That accent reminded her an awful lot of Applejack, but none of these ponies talked like the Apple family. Still puzzled, she asked, “Is there a faster way?”

Nightingale, of all ponies, trotted up to Misty and said, “Course there’s a faster way.”

Misty’s jaw dropped—she could not help it. She had only ever heard Nightingale sing! And her singing voice was nothing like this country drawl.

“Whatcha gawkin’ at, hon?” chuckled Nightingale. “Ain’t ya never heard an Appleloosan talk a’fore?”

Lilypad came over and discreetly snapped Misty’s mouth shut with a nudge from a wing. “It really isn’t polite to gape, dear.”

At last, Misty Moonrise managed to collect her wits. “You said there’s another way up the mountain?”

“Does a buffalo like apple pie?” Nightingale remarked, nodding. She trotted off ahead and called over her shoulder, “Whatcha waitin’ fer? We ain’t gonna git nowheres with y’all draggin’ yer hooves now, ya hear!”

Steel Shield walked up beside Misty as they followed Nightingale away from the train tracks. “Learn something new every day.”

“You didn’t know she could talk either?” asked Misty.

Steel snorted. “Course I knew, hon,” he said, mimicking Nightingale’s drawl.

Misty shoved him lightly with a foreleg. “Stop that!” she chastised, though she could not quite stop herself from giggling. She returned her attention to the front, where Nightingale led the way up the first ridge of the mountain. Learn something new every day, indeed.

Chapter 10: Grumpy Ole Trolls

Chapter Ten

Nightingale’s shortcut was a steep climb, but it did not wind this way and that like the train tracks. It was a straight course, more or less, and it did not take long at all before they found themselves halfway up the mountain. The path came to an end at a bridge that had seen better days, with ivy and moss clinging to its rope rails, and a couple of its wooden planks were missing. The bridge spanned a yawning chasm, on the other side of which the path continued.

“Almost there,” said Nightingale as they approached the old bridge. “Watch yer step now, everypony. This here riggin’s been ’round ’bout as long as the mountain itself, I reckon.”

“Oh, dear,” Lilypad murmured. “Perhaps we should cross one at a time?”

Steel Shield barked a laugh. “Who’s ‘we’?” He spread his wings pointedly and leapt into flight.

Lilypad chuckled at herself, also taking wing. “Oh, right.”

The two pegasi had soared almost halfway across the chasm when a terrible roar resounded from below. Nightingale, Cloudy Day, Juniper Berry, and Misty Moonrise stopped dead in their tracks and took a few wary steps back from the edge of the chasm. Lilypad dashed back with a startled yelp, fluttering behind Misty and peering around her anxiously. Steel Shield, however, glared down into the chasm, searching for the source of the roar.

Then a hairy arm as thick around as three ponies swept up out of the darkness, swatting Steel Shield aside with a meaty hand. As Steel tumbled to ground amidst the others, a knobby, ugly head followed the arm up, and then a second huge arm, a robust body, and two stout legs with great, furry feet. The enormous creature had a bulbous nose and beady eyes, and a broken tooth jutted from its drooping jaw. Its ears were weirdly small and round, and each of its fingers and toes was fat and topped by an unclipped, dirty nail. Its flabby belly was large and round, and it jiggled when it moved; and the creature was covered from head to toe in bluish fur.

Cloudy Day shrank back, joining Lilypad in hiding behind Misty Moonrise. “W-w-what is th-that?” he stammered fearfully.

“A troll,” answered Misty.

The troll glowered at the much smaller ponies, fat lips turned down in a frown. “This be my bridge,” he rumbled, voice like rolling thunder.

Misty Moonrise gulped. She had never met a troll before, but she had read about them. They were a very grumpy, ill-tempered bunch. Still, she stepped forward and attempted a polite transaction. “And it’s a lovely bridge, Mr. Troll. But it’s really important that we get to the other side of the chasm, so could we please use your bridge to get across?”

The troll’s frown deepened. “No.”

“Aw, come on,” said Juniper Berry, bright and friendly as ever. “Pretty please? Can’t we just hop over?”

“No.”

Steel Shield scowled, spreading his wings. “Hey! Ugly!” He darted up to hover before the troll’s face. “We’re gonna cross and you’re gonna let us—got it?”

The troll growled angrily and clenched his meaty hands into fists. “No!”

“That’s it!” Steel swooped forward and kicked the troll square in his squishy nose.

The troll barely flinched. He snarled and raised a hairy hand, flicking the pegasus away like a pestering fly. He laughed as Steel crashed to earth, flabby belly jiggling.

Steel Shield picked himself up and glared furiously at the troll. “Right. Now I’m gonna hurt him,” he growled under his breath.

Nightingale latched on to one of his wings with her teeth before he could take flight again. “Whoa, there, whippersnapper!” she said through the mouthful of feathers. Only once she was sure Steel was not about to take off did Nightingale release him. She spat out some stray fluff and said, “Just ’cause trouble comes a-visitin’ don’t mean ya should give it somewheres to sit.”

Steel shook his head, at a loss. “What does that even mean?”

“It means, when ya’re throwin’ yer weight ’round, be ready to have it throwed ’round by somepony else.”

“Well, that didn’t help at all,” Steel snorted.

Nightingale sighed in exasperation. “Quit fightin’ an’ let me settle things!” She walked off, right up to the troll, and her annoyed expression switched to her usual cheery smile as she looked up at the humongous creature. “Beggin’ yer pardon, Mr. Troll, that feller don’t like thinkin’ with his head much, no sir. Now, let’s talk civil-like.”

The troll glared down at the tiny pony, and then squatted, hands on his knees, to get a better look at her. His immense bulk loomed over Nightingale like a mountain over a pebble. “This be my bridge.”

“I hear ya,” said Nightingale pleasantly. “Ain’t no-pony an’ no thing gonna take that there bridge away from ya. Me an’ my friends’re in a bit o’ a pickle, though, Mr. Troll. See, we need to git to that big city up there.” She pointed to the silhouetted Canterlot with a fore hoof.

The troll scrunched up his brow quizzically and scratched his bald head. “And my bridge be the fastest way?”

“Now ya’re gittin’ it,” answered Nightingale, nodding. “So what d’ya say? Will ya let us cross?”

“No.”

“Well, why not?”

“Ponies don’t like trolls.” The troll rubbed his big nose where Steel Shield had kicked him. “Call us names.”

Nightingale gave the troll her sweetest smile, batting her eyelashes. “Aw, shucks, is that all? Listen here, pardner, ponies ain’t all like that. Most o’ us, why, we’d never kick ya or call ya names. Shoot, we’d rather be friends.”

“Friends?”

“Don’t ya have any friends?”

The troll thought for a moment, but then frowned sadly. “No…”

“Sure, ya do!”

The troll looked at Nightingale in confusion.

“Ya got one right here,” said Nightingale, pointing to herself. Then she gestured to the other five ponies behind her. “An’ ya got five more right there—that’s six friends altogether.”

For a minute, the troll did not seem to quite grasp the situation. Then his face split in a wide, toothy grin that somehow made him appear a little less monstrous. “Friends!” He suddenly scooped them all up and wrapped his great, hairy arms around all six ponies in possibly one of the biggest hugs in all of Equestria. Then the troll carefully set them down again and lumbered to one side, clearing the way across the bridge. “Friends can use my bridge,” said he happily.

“That’s mighty kind o’ ya,” said Nightingale, and she trotted across to the other side of the chasm. Steel Shield, still a little frazzled from the troll’s hug, and Lilypad flew over after her.

Misty Moonrise let Juniper Berry and Cloudy Day cross ahead of her. She turned to the troll and thanked him. The troll beamed, his smile stretching all the way to his ears. Misty returned the smile and trotted across the bridge.

On the other side, the others were already beginning the next leg of the climb. Nightingale hung back to wave goodbye to the troll, who was descending once more into the chasm the way he had come up. When he was gone from sight, Nightingale smiled in satisfaction and began to follow the others.

Walking alongside Nightingale, Misty asked, “How did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Convince the troll to let us cross his bridge.”

Nightingale chuckled. “ ’Tweren’t nothin’, hon. Everypony needs a friend, even grumpy ole trolls, an’ givin’ the gift o’ friendship’s ’bout the best thing a pony can give. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with bein’ gen’rous.”

Misty paused and watched the little mare walk on ahead, struck by the sincerity and kindness of her words.

Nightingale glanced back at her. “Saddle up now, hon!” she called. “ ’Tain’t no time fer dawdlin’!”

Misty blinked, coming back to herself, and hurried to catch up with the others.

Princess Luna crashed into the castle gates. Metal screamed in protest, but the gates held fast. Luna pushed herself back to all fours, every inch of her aching and bruised. But these pains were nothing before the challenge she and her sister faced. The Changeling Queen had grown more powerful than either she or Celestia had expected. They were hard-pressed to keep Chrysalis at bay. Most of the changelings were still consumed with searching the city, thank the stars, but it would not be much longer before they realized the whole of Canterlot was empty.

Except for the castle. The castle was where the citizens of Canterlot had been evacuated, where they would all be safe from Chrysalis and her army. The protective spells Luna and Celestia had laid upon the castle to shield their subjects were strong and would withstand much more than a dented gate, but as long as Chrysalis remained, so, too, the danger. This was something the Two Royal Sisters would not allow.

“Luna!” Celestia cried, running to her sister’s aid.

“Worry not, my sister,” said Luna, glaring up at where the Changeling Queen hovered in the sky. “I shan’t be bested so easily.”

Celestia sighed, with both relief and weariness. The battle was draining—they would both be too exhausted to fight if it continued too much longer. “I saw the Ponyville balloon prepare to land not a moment ago. We will have help soon enough.”

A spark of excitement lit within Luna. “ ’Tis nearly time. Chrysalis will fall beneath the combined powers of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and mine own student,” said she, confident.

“Sister, I didn’t see your pupil among them,” Celestia admitted quietly. “I’m sorry.”

Despair settled over Luna like a shroud. Chrysalis was too powerful now. If they did not have both the pure Magic of Friendship and the Elements of Harmony, no amount of magic could save Equestria…

No! She would not lose hope! Luna summoned a pale beam of moonlight from her crescent moon above, willing it to shine brighter—a guiding light in the darkness to hasten her student on her way. “She will be here,” Luna stated, forgoing any argument to the contrary. “She will come.”

A flash of green magic—Celestia raised a golden dome just in time to deflect the attack. Luna fixed her eyes on Chrysalis, calling forth a cobalt lightning bolt from the heavens to strike down the Changeling Queen. But Chrysalis darted to safety, her insane cackling ringing throughout Canterlot.

Hurry, Misty Moonrise, Luna prayed.

Chapter 11: Avalanche

Chapter Eleven

Misty Moonrise shivered as the crescent moon above began to shine as only a full moon ought to shine. The pale gleam fell upon Canterlot, beckoning. They were running out of time.

“How much farther, Nightingale?” asked Misty.

“Just past the next bend.”

Their path had finally leveled out, but it was now a narrow, serpentine road that clung to the mountainside with the delicate temerity of an eyelash. On the ponies’ right rose the face of a cliff, and on their left was a sheer drop into oblivion. They walked in single file now, forgoing speed for safety. Nightingale led the way, followed by Misty, then Lilypad, Juniper Berry, and Cloudy Day, with Steel Shield bringing up the rear. Thankfully, they had not yet encountered any more obstacles.

“There aren’t any more bridges, are there?” asked Lilypad. “I doubt my hair will survive the affections of a second troll.”

“Yeah, because your hair is what’s really important right now, Lilypad,” Steel said, voice thick with sarcasm.

Lilypad sniffed primly. “I wouldn’t expect a stallion to understand. We ladies have an image to uphold, even if we are charging headlong into the thick of battle.”

Nightingale giggled at their banter. “Naw, no more bridges. ’Round the corner, an’ then it’s a straight shot into the city.”

“Good,” Misty sighed. Hold on just a little longer, Princess Luna. We’re almost there.

Suddenly, the mountain trembled. It lasted only a moment, but it was enough to dislodge loose bits of earth and rock from the cliff above and the precarious path beneath their hooves.

“What,” whispered Cloudy Day fearfully, “was that?”

Steel Shield hopped off the path and into flight, craning his neck to get a better look up the mountain. The shadows were so deep that he could make nothing out of the gloom. “Misty, can you give me some light?”

Misty nodded, summoning her magic. She gathered a small teardrop of soft blue light and sent it where Steel indicated—up the cliffside to illumine the darkness.

Steel’s eyes widened in shock. High above them, the ten changelings that had sabotaged the train were heaving against great boulders. The huge rocks teetered upon the very edge, ready to fall at any moment.

“Changelings!” Steel shouted. “Run!”

The other five ponies wasted no time, but they could only run so fast on the narrow, winding path without plunging over the side. The bend, however, was not far. They just needed a little more time.

To buy his friends that time, Steel Shield shot up to meet the changelings. Two abandoned their posts on buzzing wings, hissing taunts and spitting beams of changeling battle magic from their horns. Steel Shield dodged the attacks and fell upon the pair in a flurry of striking hooves and beating wings.

As their comrades distracted Steel Shield, the other eight changelings continued shoving with all their might against the boulders. Finally, one swayed… and plummeted.

In a flash, Misty grabbed Nightingale by her braided tail and yanked her back just as the boulder crashed onto the path where the little mare had been. Misty Moonrise felt one of her hind hooves slip off the side of the path, but Lilypad quickly steadied her before she fell.

The path was blocked at the very bend that had so recently symbolized the end of their long climb, and now they could not afford to go back.

We aren’t going to make it, Misty realized with horror. She looked back at Lilypad, Juniper, and Cloudy behind her, and then at Nightingale before her. Fear shone in their eyes as they anxiously looked to her for leadership, waiting for a plan to get them out of here. Misty Moonrise could not give up—for them. After a tense moment of thought, Misty instructed, “Lilypad, take us one at a time over the boulder. Quickly!”

Lilypad did not hesitate. She wrapped her forelegs around Juniper Berry first and spread her wings. She struggled with the vertical take-off for a breath, but was soon aloft. Lilypad carried Juniper up and over the boulder.

High above them, Steel Shield finally managed to dispatch his two opponents. But they had stalled him long enough for the other changelings to succeed. Eight huge rocks tumbled downward, freeing more and more shards of rock and earth as they bounced off the cliff, unleashing a deadly avalanche. Heart pounding like thunder, Steel darted down and scooped up Cloudy Day and Nightingale with ease, as Lilypad rushed to gather Misty.

“Look out!” Steel yelled as the rocks plunged straight for his friends.

Misty Moonrise scrambled back just before a boulder would have crushed her. She pressed herself as flat against the cliff as she could in an attempt to escape the avalanche.

Lilypad only just evaded another rock, nearly clipping one of her wings. She raised her voice over the roar: “Misty, I can’t get in there. You need to jump!”

Misty shook her head firmly. “Are you crazy?!”

“You’ll be safe!” Lilypad promised.

Everything inside Misty screamed against it. “No, I won’t!”

“Yes, you will!” urged Lilypad. “Trust me, Misty! Why would I lie about this?”

If Misty waited much longer, she would be buried alive. But if she jumped, she was certain to fall. ‘Why would I lie…?’ Lilypad had said. Squeezing her eyes shut, Misty Moonrise pushed herself off the cliff in a desperate leap. Air whistled by as gravity pulled her inexorably downward. She thought she heard somepony screaming—probably herself—but the wind and the avalanche drowned out all else.

And then a pair of hooves caught hold of her. Misty opened her eyes to see that Lilypad held her aloft out of reach of the avalanche.

“See?” said Lilypad as she flew them over to join the others. “An honest promise, yes?” She carefully set Misty down on solid ground, and then also alighted.

“Yes,” agreed Misty, still reeling from the adrenaline rush. “Thank you, Lilypad.”

Folding her wings, Lilypad responded with a smile.

Then Misty Moonrise turned to the others. “Is everypony okay?”

They all nodded.

“Good.” Misty faced the towers and spires of Canterlot, now only a short gallop away. She could see the cobblestone streets and the flitting shadows of changelings running amok. The flashes of magic were fiercer and brighter now—Princess Twilight and her friends must have arrived. It was an intimidating sight, to say the least. “You don’t have to come with me, you know,” Misty said quietly. “You can still back out.”

Juniper Berry laughed. Nightingale joined her.

“Face it,” said Steel. “You’re stuck with us.”

“Absolutely,” agreed Lilypad at the same time that Cloudy Day said, “Like glue.”

Misty smiled to herself. How could she think that, after all they had been through, these ponies would leave her now? “Then let’s go!” And with her friends beside her, Misty Moonrise galloped into Canterlot.

The city was overrun. Everywhere, changelings flitted and buzzed and hissed. But they were so consumed with searching the empty city that most of them barely noticed the six new arrivals. The few who did attack were quickly blown back by one of Misty’s magic orbs. Their pounding hooves rang loud against the cobblestones as the six ponies galloped up the main thoroughfare. Soon, the sounds of battle filled the air and mad peals of laughter resounded.

In a burst of desperate magic, Misty Moonrise transported them the rest of the way in the blink of an eye and a shimmer of stardust. They reappeared amidst a scene of pure chaos.

Rainbow Dash was a blur in the dark sky, tackling changelings midair. On the ground, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie stood back-to-back as they fought off a circle of changeling soldiers. A changeling attempted to best Applejack by latching onto her back, but the rodeo pony immediately bucked it off and swung her hind hooves at another changeling in the same motion. Rarity was pitted against a changeling in a battle of wills as much as strength, their horns locked and glowing with ready battle magic. Princess Twilight was airborne, sending shafts of sparkling magenta magic hurtling for the changeling soldiers as much as for Queen Chrysalis herself. The Changeling Queen was dodging more than just Twilight’s attacks, however—Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were hurling their own magical volleys.

Then the Queen of the Changelings summoned glaring, jagged bolts of lightning. The forked claws of green fire stretched forth for each of the alicorn princesses. Twilight Sparkle evaded the attack easily, and Celestia raised a golden shield that absorbed the lightning altogether. But Luna was distracted: she had spotted Misty Moonrise and her friends, and she felt the elation of new hope; was blind to the danger.

“Princess Luna!” Misty screamed.

Chapter 12: Together

Chapter Twelve

The explosion sent shudders through the very earth, all the way to the roots of the mountains. Deafening thunder roared. Blinding light filled the square. A shockwave of heat and power expanded in all directions. Changelings and ponies alike were thrown back, those on the ground knocked from their hooves and those in the air sent tumbling to the earth.

Misty Moonrise gasped, the wind knocked clean out of her. She raised her head and squinted through the clearing haze as the brilliant light faded once more to darkness.

A prone form lay where Princess Luna had stood.

A deathly chill settled over Misty as all her worst fears were realized. Frantic, desperate to be wrong, she staggered up and into a wild dash. Each step felt like an eternity. Her breath came in loud, shallow gasps. Her heart pounded like the funereal drum of a black parade. Time did not exist. Canterlot did not exist. All that existed was the still figure of Princess Luna.

Her starlit mane and tail no longer flowed in some unfelt breeze. Patches of soot from the magical battle stained her beautiful coat, obscured part of her cutie mark. One of her wings was caught underneath her, and the other lay fanned behind her. She had lost one of her silver slippers, and her onyx crown lay on its side beside her head. Her eyes, so mysterious and so gentle, were closed, as if she were only sleeping.

Somepony cried out, screaming, wailing. Was it Misty? She couldn’t tell; didn’t care. Hot tears spilled from Misty’s eyes, dripping onto Princess Luna. Misty tried to rouse her mentor, but the Moon Princess did not respond. “Wake up, Princess Luna,” Misty sobbed. “Wake up! We need you… I need you… Princess Luna, please!” Why won’t she wake up?

A warm brown hoof settled on Misty’s and gently drew her back from the princess. Misty Moonrise looked up to find Cloudy Day standing beside her. He appeared to be on the brink of weeping as well, earthy eyes glistening with sadness and compassion. His silver aura came alive, and he took from Misty’s mane the lavender lily he had given her at their first meeting—Misty had forgotten she was still wearing it. Without a word, Cloudy carefully set the lily instead in Princess Luna’s mane.

“What do I do now, Princess Luna?” Misty whispered between sobs.

“We keep going,” Cloudy Day said softly.

Misty Moonrise regarded him with despair. “How? It’s hopeless…”

Cloudy Day shook his head. “No, there is always hope. You are not alone, Misty,” he said, and then gently embraced her.

Slowly, Misty realized that others were there. Not just Cloudy Day, but Steel Shield, Juniper Berry, Lilypad, Nightingale—they were all around her, embracing her and each other. The warmth of their love seemed to thaw something that had been frozen within Misty. She felt… whole.

A tiny sapphire star twinkled in the depths of Misty’s eyes, a spark that ignited a newfound magic unlike any she had ever felt before.

Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends appeared, all of them staring at the fallen Princess of the Night in sorrowful disbelief. Twilight’s brow furrowed in woeful wrath, and she locked frighteningly steady eyes with Misty. “It’s time to end this,” Twilight Sparkle resolved. “Together.”

Misty Moonrise stepped out of her circle of friends, glancing worriedly at Princess Luna.

Princess Celestia, exhausted and battle-worn, had collapsed beside her fallen sister. She softly rested her head upon her sister’s mane, a tear rolling down her cheek. Then Celestia raised her gaze to Misty. “Go. I’ll watch over her.”

Finally meeting Princess Twilight’s level gaze, Misty nodded. “Together.”

Insane laughter rang through the night. “Witness this,” cried Queen Chrysalis, “the end of Equestria! Bow before your new queen, little ponies!” She sent a beam of sickly green magic straight toward them.

As one, Misty and Twilight raised a dome of sapphire and magenta that absorbed the attack in a spray of sparks.

Chrysalis was struck silent, but then she scowled and gathered her dark power once more. “If you will not bow to me, I will make you!” Another bolt of lightning tore from the heavens, striking the magical dome with deadly force. But the dome never wavered.

“We’ll take her from the right,” said Twilight Sparkle, glancing back at Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, all of whom nodded understanding. “Misty, you and the others take the left. On three—one… two… three!”

The dome flashed out of existence as the twelve ponies divided. Twilight and the others dashed across the courtyard, drawing Chrysalis’s attention temporarily. Misty led her own friends around behind the Changeling Queen, stopping only when they stood in a line opposite Twilight and her friends. They had Chrysalis surrounded.

When Queen Chrysalis noticed this, she hissed in fury. Power blazed around her like green fire. “You cannot defeat me!” she bellowed. “Equestria is mine!”

Twilight Sparkle spread her wings and raised her voice. “Equestria is not yours to take, Chrysalis. Your reign of terror ends now.”

“Bah!” spat Chrysalis. “There’s nothing you pathetic ponies can do to stop me! Love cannot save you this time! I have destroyed your precious Harmony! You are powerless before me!”

“No!” Misty Moonrise cut in sharply. “You may have tried to kill the Harmony in Equestria, but you do not have the Elements of Harmony.”

“I don’t need the Elements!” raged Chrysalis. “Your Tree of Harmony will be dead by dawn, and the Elements with it!”

“The Elements of Harmony are everywhere,” declared Twilight, the warmth of rainbow magic rushing for her and her friends. “Without them, you can never know what harmony is, much less destroy it. Only those with friendship and love in their hearts will ever know the true power of the Elements: Laughter…”

Suddenly, pure white light engulfed Pinkie Pie and Juniper Berry. In a flash of rainbows, Pinkie emerged with stars and streaks of bright yellow and blue in her curls, and her hooves were adorned with balloons like the ones of her cutie mark. Simultaneously, Juniper reappeared wearing a golden necklace with an amethyst jewel in the shape of a sprig of juniper berries—just like her cutie mark.

“… Loyalty…”

This time, it was Rainbow Dash and Steel Shield. From a burst of rainbows, Dash spread wings now alive with the same colors as filled her mane, and lightning bolts flashed upon her hooves. At the same time, Steel emerged from the brilliance wearing a golden necklace with an emerald jewel in the shape of a shield—just like his cutie mark.

“… Generosity…”

Rarity and Nightingale were surrounded by light. Rarity emerged resplendent with diamonds and soft yellow and blue streaks in her hair, and diamonds glittered upon her hooves. Nightingale now wore a golden necklace with a blue jewel in the shape of a heart.

“… Honesty…”

Light consumed Applejack and Lilypad. When Applejack was revealed, her mane and tail were streaked with pink and red, and apples danced upon her hooves. Lilypad now wore a golden necklace bearing a pink lily-shaped jewel.

“… Kindness…”

Fluttershy and Cloudy Day emerged from a flash of rainbows next. Butterflies floated upon Fluttershy’s hooves, and her pink mane and tail were streaked with teal, violet, and icy blue. Cloudy Day now wore a golden necklace with a red cloud-shaped jewel.

“… Magic!”

Princess Twilight Sparkle rose in the air as rainbows surrounded her, somehow raising her five friends simultaneously. She emerged in a shower of twinkling stars, her hooves graced with the magical stars of her cutie mark, her already purple-and-magenta-striped hair now also streaked with pale yellow, and her wings were flush with amethyst and magenta.

Misty Moonrise felt herself rise off the ground, felt the warm caresses of magic as light and rainbows enclosed her. Stardust shimmered all around her, coalescing into a silver coronet upon her brow, bearing a jewel whiter than new snow and carved to resemble a full moon. Power such as she had never known surged within her as the light withdrew, gathered into the Element of Magic borne by the coronet. Misty looked to her right and left, and she saw that all of her friends had also been lifted into the air by their Elements of Harmony. Disbelieving, she shifted her gaze to Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight smiled knowingly at Misty, and then returned her attention to Chrysalis.

The Changeling Queen stared at the twelve ponies with a mixture of awe and horror. The dark power burning around her began to weaken as utter terror gripped her. For a moment, the purple shadows streaming from Chrysalis’s eyes disappeared, and the black light dimmed to reveal her natural slit-pupil, blue-green irises. But then she visibly hardened her nerve and embraced the terrible power once more, her eyes reverting to the black orbs streaming shadows. Emerald flames leapt high all around her. “You have not the power to defeat me! I’ll finish you once and for all!”

“That’s where you are wrong, Chrysalis. We have the greatest power of all,” proclaimed Twilight Sparkle. “The Magic of Friendship!”

Rainbows burst to life above the twelve ponies, spinning and weaving at blinding speeds. With a force that sent a shudder through the very air, two spiral pillars of color and light surged high into the night sky. The dark clouds recoiled, dispersing, as the two enormous rainbows soared higher and higher, until they seemed to reach to the stars themselves. Suddenly, the rainbows shot together and began to spiral around and around each other, and dove as one for the Queen of the Changelings. Winds swept wildly through the city as if to usher the rainbows on their way.

Queen Chrysalis screamed, rearing up to meet the rainbows as they crashed down upon her. Spinning colors and brilliance swallowed her from all sight and sound. Like a rainbow tornado the whirling magic wrapped around and around itself, rocketing skyward as a single shaft of pure power. It broke upon the sky like waves breaking upon the shore. A pealing note rang true and clear across all Equestria, striking some deep, heart-wrenching chord in the hearts of all who heard it. Light, white and rainbow alike, brilliant and blinding and pure, flooded the world.

Chapter 13: Inside Us All

Chapter Thirteen

When Misty Moonrise opened her eyes, all was still and quiet. She wearily lifted her head and realized she lay on the ground now. She could not remember coming down. Glancing about her, Misty saw that her friends were also on the ground, some already picking themselves up. They all still wore the golden necklaces bearing their Elements of Harmony. She still had hers as well, could feel the silver coronet upon her head. As Misty slowly pushed herself to all fours, a violet wing settled across her back.

“Twilight?” Misty found herself standing beside the princess, whose appearance had returned to normal. The rainbow magic must have gone. “Twilight, where’s Chrysalis?”

Twilight Sparkle smiled and pointed to the center of what had been their circle.

There now stood a stone statue where Queen Chrysalis had made her last stand. The Changeling Queen herself was frozen in her rearing pose, eyes still ablaze with fury but now only graven rock.

“We did it?” Misty Moonrise could not quite believe her eyes.

“Yes. When the changelings saw what became of their queen, they fled,” replied Twilight. “And thank you.”

Misty regarded Twilight quizzically. “For what?”

“For not calling me ‘princess’ this time,” Twilight clarified with a wink.

Misty smiled, but, before she could say anything more, another voice interrupted.

“Everypony okay?” Applejack asked Misty’s friends. The orange mare, along with the other four of Twilight’s friends, had also reverted to their normal visages—yes, the rainbow magic had definitely subsided.

Steel Shield was the first to respond. He was up and examining the golden necklace, comparing the emerald, shield-shaped jewel to his silver shield cutie mark. “What the hay is this thing?”

Rainbow Dash zoomed over to hover beside him. “That’s our Element of Harmony, buddy. Like it? Personally, I think it looked cooler on me, but I guess you look pretty good in it, too.”

“Element of what?” asked Cloudy Day.

Fluttershy trotted over to him, explaining patiently, “Element of Harmony. You all must represent the spirits of the Elements just like we do. Ours is the Element of Kindness.”

“And ours,” said Rainbow Dash to Steel Shield, “is the Element of Loyalty.”

“We represent Generosity,” Rarity put in, helping Nightingale to stand.

“An’ we’re good ole Honesty,” said Applejack as she pulled Lilypad up to all fours.

“Ooh! Ooh! Me next!” Pinkie Pie piped up, bouncing over to Juniper Berry. She wrapped a foreleg around Juniper’s shoulders and, still bouncing, said, “We’re the Element of—!”

“—Laughter!” Juniper joined in, and the two fell into a fit of giggles.

Misty turned back to Twilight. “I don’t understand. I thought the Elements were bound to you six. It’s because you returned the Elements to the Tree of Harmony that you’re able to use the rainbow magic. How can we represent the Elements?”

“The Magic of Friendship isn’t something that belongs to just a few ponies,” replied Twilight Sparkle. “It’s everywhere. It lives inside every one of us. You don’t have to be a princess or a Wonderbolt, or even a pony. You just have to seek it out and let friendship into your heart.” She glanced up at Misty’s silver coronet. “We represent the Element of Magic,” she said, returning her gaze to Misty. “Without it, the others are unable to unite. But without the other Elements, there is no Element of Magic—just as our lives are incomplete without our friends.”

Steel Shield appeared beside her, along with her other friends. He ruffled Misty’s mane teasingly. “See? You’re stuck with us.”

“But there’s one thing I still don’t understand,” Misty Moonrise pressed. “Where were the Elements? They can’t have been with us the whole time. At the castle, you used your connection to the Elements to determine they were still with the Tree of Harmony.”

“No, we didn’t!” Pinkie Pie trilled, bouncing past Misty.

“We learned that the Elements were safe,” Twilight Sparkle explained. “Nothing more. Even I didn’t know exactly where they were—not until Chrysalis revealed that she didn’t have them, anyway.”

Cloudy Day spoke up. “So, does that mean we’re connected to the Elements now just like you all?”

“Everypony is connected to the Elements of Harmony in one way or another,” answered Twilight. “I think that, when the Tree of Harmony realized it was in danger, it found the first safe place to hide the Elements it could.”

“But that should have been you, Twilight,” said Misty Moonrise, still bewildered.

Twilight smiled knowingly. “Not this time. Misty, you said it yourself: Chrysalis was at the Tree well before you stumbled into her dream. More likely than not, she had already tainted the Elements and returned them to the Tree. But when the Tree of Harmony felt your presence—a presence similar to that of the previous spirit of the Element of Magic—it trusted you to keep the Elements safe in its stead. As your friendship grew with these ponies—” Twilight glanced at Steel Shield, Cloudy Day, Nightingale, Lilypad, and Juniper Berry as she spoke. “—you imparted to them your trust and love as well as the Element of Harmony they each represented. When all of us harnessed the Magic of Friendship, united, the taint in the Elements was cleansed and the Elements themselves were revealed.”

Misty Moonrise was silent for a moment, drinking in Twilight’s words. Then she embraced her magic and lifted the silver coronet off her head. She gazed at the intricate elegance and softly glowing full moon diamond. “I’m honored the Tree of Harmony trusted me to safeguard the Elements, but…” Misty presented the Element of Magic to Twilight Sparkle. “This belongs to you, Twilight.”

Twilight’s magenta aura enveloped the coronet as she received it. The smile she offered Misty was bright with gratitude, as warm and gentle as Princess Luna’s smile.

At that, sorrow swept through Misty Moonrise. She, Twilight, and the other ten ponies walked to where the Moon Princess still lay motionless.

Princess Celestia lay beside her sister, a white wing settled protectively over her like a blanket. She looked up as the twelve approached.

Misty Moonrise could not bring herself to meet the Sun Princess’s gaze. She averted her eyes as she sat down, ears laid back. “I’m sorry, Princess Celestia,” she said quietly, voice trembling. “It’s my fault…”

Twilight placed a hoof on Misty’s shoulder. “Misty, no—”

“Princess Luna was looking at me when she was struck,” Misty continued over Twilight. “If I hadn’t distracted her, she would still be…” She could not bring herself to say it. Fresh tears began to trickle from her eyes. “It’s my fault… I’m so sorry…”

Princess Celestia smiled softly. “No, my little pony,” she said gently. “Chrysalis alone is to blame, and she has received her just punishment. There’s no need for tears.”

“But—” Misty began, but stopped. Princess Luna’s mane—it was flowing without wind. Misty’s heart skipped a beat.

Ever so slowly, Princess Luna’s eyes opened. She blinked blearily, slowly, and settled her gentle gaze upon her student. “Why do you weep, Misty Moonrise?” asked she, her voice soft but strong.

Misty could find no words to describe the relief, the pure happiness, that now overwhelmed her. She could barely hold herself up, and so embraced her mentor, burying her face in Princess Luna’s starlit mane. “I thought… We thought you were…” She could not even finish a sentence.

“I think I understand,” said Princess Luna, smiling. She carefully lifted her head, wincing slightly. “Chrysalis, is she—?”

“Yes, my sister,” answered Princess Celestia. “Everything is going to be just fine now.”

Epilogue

It has been a full week since Queen Chrysalis was defeated. Her statue now stands in the castle gardens at Canterlot, where she will remain forevermore. There has been no sign of her changelings. Perhaps they have returned to that distant land whence they came. Without their queen to lead them, they are not so ready to invade Equestria.

The Elements of Harmony were returned to the Tree of Harmony. With Zecora’s help, the Tree lived well after the dawn. When the cleansed Elements were given to it once more, the Tree healed itself and now stands as pure and wondrous as the day it was first discovered by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Princess Luna has made a full recovery. Truth be told, it was difficult to keep her in bed and resting while she healed after the first few hours. Perhaps it has something to do with alicorn magic, or perhaps Princess Luna is just too devoted to her duties and her subjects to be bothered by severe magical trauma. Either way, she is in perfect health now and glad to be out and about once again.

A celebration has been declared in Ponyville, at Princess Twilight Sparkle’s castle, to honor the return of Equestria’s harmony and the ponies who rose to defend it. Everypony will be there, even Princess Cadance and her husband Shining Armor. Princess Celestia is set to lead the ceremonies, and Princess Luna will begin the festivities by raising the moon—

“Misty Moonrise?”

Misty paused, quill hovering above the paper, and turned to see Princess Luna entering the room.

“What art thou doing in the library?” asked the Moon Princess. “ ’Tis nearly time for the celebration to begin. Thy friends wonder what hath become of thee.”

“Princess Twilight—” Misty caught herself. “I mean, Twilight gave me this journal, so I can write about what I’ve learned.” She set the quill aside and closed the journal, on the dark blue cover of which was enameled a full moon partially veiled by clouds. “Look—she even had the cover made to resemble my cutie mark.”

“ ’Tis truly a special gift,” said Princess Luna, smiling. She peered closely at her pupil for a moment, and then remarked, “Thou hast brushed thy hair.”

Misty glanced up at her neatly brushed mane. It still fell over one eye and down both sides of her neck, and her tail still dragged the ground, but it was no longer unkempt. “Lilypad convinced me,” she explained. “I kind of like it.”

Princess Luna leaned close and whispered conspiratorially, “As do I.” She chuckled, straightening. “Thou hast enjoyed thy stay in Ponyville, then?”

Misty’s gaze fell, and she shuffled her hooves. “Yeah…”

“Is something wrong?”

“No. Well, not really…” Misty glanced out the nearby window, through which she could see the decorations and stage that had been erected for the celebration. Dusk granted an ethereal cast to all of Ponyville, but especially the front lawn of the castle. Ponies were beginning to arrive, but the princesses had been there since that morning. Princess Celestia stood talking with Princess Cadance, and Twilight Sparkle was running through her checklist with Spike one last time.

The ponies that drew Misty’s gaze most, however, were her own friends. Steel Shield was resplendent in his Royal Guard armor, and Lilypad had donned a lovely periwinkle dress for the occasion. Nightingale was practicing the song she was scheduled to sing as Princess Luna raised the moon. Juniper Berry was setting out a spread of treats she and Pinkie Pie had baked especially for tonight, her perfected pineapple soufflé among them. Cloudy Day was surrounded by a group of foals, relating some great story that had the foals utterly enraptured.

Princess Luna followed her student’s gaze. “Dost thou wish to remain with thy friends?”

“It’s just that…” Misty looked up at her mentor. “I’ve never had so many friends before, princess. What if I go back to Canterlot and they think I don’t want to be their friend anymore? What if they forget about me? What if—?”

Princess Luna slipped a foreleg across Misty’s shoulders and drew her close. It was a brief embrace, but a warm, sincere one. “If this is what thou wishest,” she said, stepping back, “thou need’st only ask.”

“But what about my studies?” worried Misty. “I haven’t been your student that long. There’s so much more I have to learn.”

“And thou will. Thou can learn much from thy friends, as well as from Princess Twilight and hers. Besides, we have the realm of dreams. We can continue thy studies there when needs we must.”

A smile began to stretch across Misty’s face. “So I can stay?”

Princess Luna nodded.

Misty Moonrise hugged her teacher in thanks, and then galloped out of the library to tell her friends the good news.

Princess Luna stepped up to the library window. She watched as Misty Moonrise ran out of the castle and gathered her five friends around her. A moment more, and all six ponies were celebrating and embracing one another. Luna glanced over at her sister, who was gazing knowingly up at her. Celestia dipped her head in approval of Luna’s decision, and then returned to her conversation with Cadance.

Luna smiled to herself and turned to take her leave of the library. She paused beside her student’s journal. With a tendril of magic, she opened the book and flipped to the last page. She took up the quill with a second thread of magic, dipped it in the inkwell, and set to write. But then she stopped, contemplating the wisdom of what she was about to do.

After a minute, Luna decided to err on the side of caution. She pressed quill to paper and in an elegant script wrote:

Misty Moonrise,

When the Shards of Shadow are again one,

Seek not the darkness, nor the dying sun;

Seek not the Nightmare if she chooses flight;

Seek out instead the long forgotten Light.

When the stars are lost and all hope is gone,

Look to the Sunset to restore the dawn.

Thy teacher,

Princess Luna

Chapter 1: The Dream

Chapter One

Mist swirled in the night. Through the towering trees, gnarled and foreboding, the cool vapor wound and wended; through the ferns and bracken of the underbrush it rolled like a silent tide. The sky was shrouded from view by the dense, leafy canopy, deepening the already pitch black shadows of the Everfree Forest. Disembodied eyes peered out from the dark crevices, glinting with the light of a moon that could not be seen. Crackles and cackles, shivers and slithers, sniffles and piffles—they were a hushed discord, filling the heady atmosphere with frightful noise that could barely be heard.

Misty Moonrise inhaled deeply to steady her nerves. This is a dream, the unicorn reminded herself silently. Nothing in this Everfree Forest could harm her. None of it was real. But just whose dream was this?

Cautiously, Misty pressed onward, her pale grey coat melding seamlessly with the silvery currents. Her mane and tail—white, unkempt, and nearly trailing the ground—soon grew damp with a layer of dew. She jumped when a finger of briar, twisted and skeletal, brushed against her flank. A streak of grime from the branch obscured her cutie mark like a sinister ray of shadow. Misty quickly rubbed away the grime, revealing the full moon partially veiled by a pair of clouds which rested, in a night sky of dark blue, on her flank. She swept her sapphire gaze anxiously around the shadowy wood as she continued walking. Something did not feel right.

Suddenly, the ground vanished from beneath her hooves. Misty plunged straight down with a startled cry. She landed heavily on a narrow ridge, but lost her grip and slid over the side. She tumbled, skidded, and stumbled down a sheer, rocky slope that never seemed to end. Eventually, however, she toppled onto solid ground again, though she was bruised and battered and the breath had been knocked out of her. With a soft groan, Misty pushed herself to all fours and looked up at the means of her descent.

She was at the bottom of a deep ravine. The frothing mist spilled over the earthen walls like a waterfall. The tops of the trees peeked out over the lip of the cliffs on both sides, but only spindly vines and weeds clung to the rocks below. Without the thick canopy, the velvet dome of night was clearly visible. Stars glittered coldly in the inky void, and the thinnest sliver of a waning moon kept quiet vigil. Now that she was out of the mist, Misty could see a long stairwell that was carved into the cliff. A second stair clawed up the opposite side of the ravine.

Then Misty Moonrise noticed a break in the rock ahead of her—the yawning mouth of a cave. She would have overlooked it completely in the pervading darkness, but from within the cave a sickly green light shone. Faint wisps of shadows flitted along the cave wall, interrupting the eerie light. Indiscernible whispers and voices issued from within.

Swallowing her rising fear, Misty Moonrise entered the cavern. As earth gave way to stone, each hoof-fall became a dozen bouncing echoes. The cavern walls glistened with moisture and were lined with columns of stalactites and stalagmites, water dripping from tip to tip.

“At last…”

Misty froze. She recognized that warped, unsynchronized voice. Dread crawled up her spine.

Without thinking, Misty Moonrise shot into a reckless gallop. Surely she was mistaken—this dream could not possibly belong to that creature… could it?

The emerald light which filled the cave suddenly brightened, pulsing like a heartbeat. Blinded, Misty squeezed her eyes shut and skidded to a stop. A triumphant laugh, cold and cruel, resounded like the knell of a hundred funereal bells. The ground beneath Misty’s hooves seemed to quake in terror.

“My subjects will hunger no more…”

Shading her eyes with a raised foreleg, Misty squinted into the unnatural brilliance.

A great tree of glistening crystal filled the cavern, its icy violet and blue facets tinged green by the pulsing light. Fringes of crystal were draped from its boughs like hanging moss, twinkling like stars and tinkling like wind chimes. Upon its trunk were carved a star cradled by a crescent moon and, above it, a blazing sun. In the center of the bole from which its branches sprouted was a six-point magenta star, which seemed to flicker with an inner rainbow. On the tips of the surrounding branches hung five other gems, each one unique in shade and shape: a soft pink butterfly, a sky blue balloon, a ruby lightning bolt, a deep amethyst diamond, and a warm orange apple.

The Tree of Harmony.

A figure stood before the Tree, tall and slender and black, with a twisted horn and translucent wings. It was from her horn that the green light radiated. In the lime glow of her magic, her normally white fangs were painted emerald and the four blue opals which decorated her obsidian crown refracted and reflected her aura until they were like four drops from the deepest depths of the ocean. Her lank, teal mane and tail swirled about her face and hole-riddled legs. Gradient blue-green, chitinous plating wrapped around her middle like a cocoon. Her tattered, insectoid wings fluttered excitedly, the sound like the shuttering of a fly. Even in the light of her magic, however, her dark green eyes gleamed with their own inner illumination, the elongated pupils nearly blotting out the irises.

Queen Chrysalis.

She was the ultimate master of disguise, for that was the way of changelings—to take the form of loved ones and feed off others’ love for them. Queen Chrysalis had done it before, impersonating the beloved Princess Cadance on her wedding day, feeding on the groom’s love for the bride. But Shining Armor had been lucky that day. If his sister, now Princess Twilight Sparkle, had not seen through Queen Chrysalis’s ruse and found the real Princess Cadance, changelings may yet rule Equestria.

Misty shivered as a cold wind began to swirl into the cavern from outside. If this is Queen Chrysalis’s dream, why is she dreaming about the Tree of Harmony? she wondered.

The Queen of the Changelings sent tendrils of magic toward the Tree and its Elements. She pried the Element of Magic from its place, dampening the spark inside and infusing it instead with shadow. Then she began to do the same to the other Elements, one by one, until all six had lost their gleam and swam with darkness.

“Without their precious harmony,” rasped Chrysalis gleefully, “Equestria will be mine for the taking!” She laughed, low and callous and wicked, as she returned the tainted Elements to the Tree. Wherever they touched, the Tree turned ugly and lifeless. Veins of black and red clawed up and down its length, spider-webbing the graven sun and moon with cracks that bled acrid smoke.

Changelings suddenly poured into the cavern, buzzing and spitting and rasping as they swarmed around their queen. Like a torrential tornado they whirled, blocking all but blurred glimpses of the dying Tree. Chrysalis reveled in the chaos, cackling madly. Her eyes became solid orbs of black light, streaming poisonous purple fumes like wild tendrils of shadowy flame.

“MINE, ALL MINE!”