Bringing Harmony

        Just before eight pm, all six ponies met back on the doorstep to the orange orchard. At eight pm the door opened and Orange Julius let them inside. “So what did you fillies do today?”

        All six simultaneously launched into a description of who they met and what they learned.

        “Woah, woah, woah,” Julius laughed, “One at a time.”

          “I made a new friend!” Pinkie Pie started, bouncing in place, “Her name is Apricot. She got me a yellow bracelet, and let me work in her shop.”

        “Well, I met a pegasus colt on one of the clouds above Mountreal,” Rainbow Dash boasted.  “He said he has been trying to recruit people to help bring down the Queen, but it’s difficult  with the restrictions the Queen has placed.”

        Julius nodded acknowledging Rainbow Dash’s statement. “How about you Fluttershy?” He asked.

        “Huh? um, well, I went to see  Doc Vigor.” She answered meekly. “He told me a story about the former King’s son.  Supposedly the King had a son whose mother was a unicorn, not the former King’s wife. Since he is only a unicorn and lived with his mother, he might still be alive,” she paused, “or at least that’s what Doc Vigor said. He also said he can get us better suiting tracking bracelets.”

        “That’s similar to the story I read in the large book I was given. It was about the history of Everfree.” Twilight added.  “It confirmed that the King did have a son with another mare, and that the son was a unicorn.”

        “Well if that’s true, we need to get someone in contact with this unicorn prince.” Julius addressed the group.

        Twilight nodded, “We should stay in pairs, and since Rarity and I are already unicorns, it makes sense for us to go.” She reasoned. “How far is Unicornicopia?”

        Orange Julius answered, “I don’t know walking,  but just about five miles direct. To get in undetected you would have to leave through the forest.”

        “Oh goodness!” Exclaimed Rarity mildly, “I couldn’t walk all that way.  It’s much too far. Can’t I just stay here? You know, rally the troops? I am sure Julius needs help.”

        “OK, then who wants to go to Unicornicopia with me?” Twilight asked.

        “Me! pick me! I wanna make some new friends!”

        “Ok, Pinkie it is,” Twilight said somewhat defeated. “Rarity, can you fashion a horn for her?”

        “Ooo! Ooo!” Pinkie bounced around Rarity.  “Can it be pink?” she asked.

        “The group chuckled. “Of course!  I wouldn’t have it any other color!” replied Rarity.  “I know just the shade.”

        “Then Fluttershy will come with me to meet Storm Chaser tomorrow, right?” asked Dash.

        “Well... I, uh.  I told Doc Vigor I would be here to meet him when he brings the tracking bracelets tomorrow.” Fluttershy looked down and kicked the ground.

        “I guess that means I am going alone.” Dash shrugged.

        “Ah don’t think that’s a good idea sugarcube,” Applejack said, slightly concerned.

        Twilight had the solution. “I perfected the spell that gave Rarity wings,” She said happily, “I know where it went wrong. If you are willing I can give you pegasus wings.  Then you can watch out for Rainbow.”

        “Ah don’t know, you guys. Ah’m not one to mess with nature.”  AppleJack looked concerned.

        “Ahh, come on AJ. Can you honestly say that you never wanted wings?” Dash asked.

        “Ah can honestly say that ah’ve never wanted wings,” Applejack answered.

        “Never thought about beating me in a race on my own turf?”

        “Ah like the sound a that, but how safe is this, Twi? If ah get hurt what would happen ta Sweet Apple Acres? Applebloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith need me.”

        “It works fine. I tested it on myself last time I was in Canterlot. I stayed a week longer than I intended because I had wings. I wanted to test it with the Princess’ supervision after what happened last time.”

        “Every pony nodded in amused understanding, while Rarity sulked.

        “Fine, Ah guess ah’ll give it a try. It only lasts three days, right?”

        “Actually the pegasus wings last longer. About a week total.”  Twilight bragged. “But lets wait until tomorrow, so you don’t have issues leaving.”

        “Ok, now that that’s settled, let me show you to your room.” Julius instructed them to follow. “I know it’s not much, but it should work out well enough. I’m just glad that we house workers in groups of six.” He led them into a plain white room with six beds with grey wool blankets. “Sleep well.” he said, “The Bathroom is down the hall on the right.” He left them alone to prepare for bed.

        Fluttershy removed her dress and slowly pulled herself into bed beneath the heavy wool blanket, and sang softly as she drifted to sleep.

The rest followed suit. Quietly falling into bed and quickly to sleep, dreaming of their friends and families back in Ponyville, and how their lives would be affected if they couldn’t successfully stop the Queen.

They tossed and turned as their dreams became nightmares.  Thinking of Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake being separated from not only from their parents, but from each other as well, brought tears to Pinkie Pie’s eyes.

Futtershy whimpered as in her dream she was forced to live in Cloudsdale away from most of her furry friends.

Rainbow Dash tossed as she dreamed of missing the running of the leaves, of never running with Applejack again. She thought about the Apple Family Cider she wouldn’t be able to have.

Rarity appeared at ease while sleeping, but in her nightmare she was just as dramatic as ever. She designed beautiful dresses for each friend, but being separated, they couldn’t wear them. Eventually Rarity lost all inspiration to design. Her designs slowly became rancid. The Colors were terribly ugly, and out of style. They clashed. The shape was outdated. Rarity knew she could never let her dresses look like that.

Applejack dreamed that it was Zap Apple Season and watched all five signs pass. When she and Big Mac began to buck, each tree came to life. They took on the voices of her friends. “How could you abandon us?” They asked.

Twilight trembled and shook her head violently. She dreamed of Fluttershy looking longing at the ground. She thought of the missed picnics, and the galas they wouldn’t attend. She imagined being unable to support Rainbow Dash in her first performance with the Wonderbolts. Her heart twisted when thinking about the cakes, and Ditzy and Dinky Doo. The Cutie Mark Crusaders would be forced to split.

Why couldn’t Queen Gardenia see how she was hurting people... or why didn’t she care?