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.”