A Nice Jog in the Everfree.
I was nervous, I, along my other five friends were planning to take down Nightmare Moon. Not even the paycheck calmed my nerves, well I have no time to get relaxing things with the paycheck..
It was 10 minutes until Princess Celestia was meant to be called out and the six of us were out in town hall. This was the most nerve-racking wait in my entire life. Nightmare Moon could be any here any minute, the tension is KILLING ME!
“God, can she hurry up!” Dash complained.
“I feel you, Dash, this wait is utterly torture” I agree to Dash.
“She’ll be here any minute, hold your horses” AJ says to us.
“Yeah, well can you wake me up when she shows up, Applejack?” Fluttershy says.
“Ladies please, good things come to those who wait” Rarity chimes in.
“That really doesn’t help since we’re waiting for a BAD thing to happen” I roll my eyes.
“Twilight, I swear to god I will shove this hoof so far up your—“ Rarity starts.
“Fillies and Gentlecolts!” We heard Mayor Mare say from the front.
Well it’s about damn time! I think my mare skin is starting to get wrinkles...maybe once this is done I should go get some age-defying shampoo or something.
“Here is the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the mare who raises the sun each and every day: Princess Celestia!” Mayor Mare announced as the curtains were opened.
As predicted, there was no Celestia there, any second now…there! There’s Nightmare Moon! And the ponies are shocked, well the six of us weren't since we already knew, not that dramatic is it? It's like watching the Prequels to Star Wars knowing Anakin Skywalker comes Darth Vader and then you watch the Originals and it's revealed Darth Vader is Luke's Father and Anakin Skywalker, it's really a let down and you're a let down, you watched the Prequels first for the love all that is holy and unholy.
“Ah, my little ponies, it’s been so long since I’ve looked upon your sun-loving faces” Nightmare Moon started her speech.
“What did you do with our Princess?” Dash shouted out her line, guess she wanted to a part of it.
“What? Not enough royalty here for you to handle? Princess Nightmare Moon? Does my crown not count for nothing for being imprisoned in my moon for 1000 years? Did nopony honestly see my return coming? Did nopony see the signs? I mean it was in a legend book and I do have a holiday you foals ought to be thankful for.” Nightmare Moon asks.
“I did, and your goal is to bring about Eternal Night” I say to Nightmare Moon.
“Well, well. Seems like somepony actually remembered me, and here I thought everypony had become candy idiots to that stupid holiday that was all about fearing me!” Nightmare Moon looked surprised.
“Well, I do read you know” I say to the Nightmare.
“But that does not matter, it’s time for Eternal night and I will not be stopped this time!” Nightmare says, with her eyes locked on me.
“Not if I have anything to say about it, Luna!” A voice rang from the doorway behind us.
Wait, that voice. That’s Celestia! She’s here and she’s here to fight Luna! Celestia is even wearing armor with suns all over it. This is gonna get interesting.
“Wow, Princess Celestia is serious here, Twilight, we might not need the Elements after all” Dash says to me.
“No Dash, there still a chance this could go wrong, we must be ready to make a run for the Elements of Harmony any second” I shook my head at Dash.
“We should move when the action starts” AJ suggests.
“Got it, all you girls get that?” I ask at the others.
“Castle of the Two Sisters, got it!” Rarity nods her head.
“I’m ready to party” Pinkie says with a bounce.
Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon had been locking eyes for a full 30 seconds now.
“Well, Well, Well. Looks like my dear Sister decided to join us after all” Nightmare Moon says.
“Luna! Stand down at once! We don’t have to fight again, we can start anew!” Celestia says to Nightmare.
“Oh please, and you dressed in your armor to say that? Face it, you’re here to battle me, and this time, you don’t have to Elements of Harmony to save you!” Nightmare Moon scoffed.
That’s what you think.
“I am more than prepared to fight if I must, Luna. You know I will do anything for my subjects, this problem between the two of us ends here!” Celestia says to Nightmare Moon.
“I am not Luna! I am Nightmare Moon! If it’s a fight to get you off your throne, then on your own sun-loving head, be it! I hope you’ve said your prayer to the Creator!” Nightmare Moon then jumps off the balcony and level with Celestia.
“I’m sorry Luna, but if this is how it must be, better more time without you than Equestria being destroyed to your Nightmare” Celestia says as she got in a battle stance.
Celestia and Nightmare Moon stared daggers at each other, then they dived at each other with a punch which collided so hard that the hall started wobbling and everypony else started having sense and started running away.
“Girls, I think we should start going forward with Operation: Harmony” Applejack says to us.
“Good idea! Everfree Forest everypony, on the double!” I ordered the other five.
“Since when were you leader?” Dash asked me.
“Since now and no time to argue, we got an Equestria to save” I reply back to Dash.
We galloped out of Town Hall and to the direction of the Everfree, Ponies were running everywhere, but the six of us managed to weave in and out to get out of town. We sort of stopped in front of the Everfree Forest.
“Guys, if we don’t make it out or if Nightmare Moon finds us and kills us, I just wanna say, I’m glad I’m with you guys” Franklin says as he took a deep breath.
“Awwww!” Patrick said as he gave Franklin a hoof over the back as a sign on broship.
“Bah! Let’s not get too sappy, besides I don’t intend on failing so we don’t get back home” Don gives a mock disgusted look.
“Yeah! Besides, if think we all want our Elements of Harmony back if you know what I’m saying” I say to everyone else.
“Yes Eddie, we got what you meant there” Ron frowned at me.
“Well, can y’all get moving, else there won’t be an Equestria to save” Andrew interrupts.
“Okay, let’s go on an adventure” I say as I started trotting into the forest.
“We’re off to see the Elements, The Wonderful Elements of Harmony” Andrew sung as we passed the first trees.
Well now I want a yellow brick road to follow, I swear if the key to getting out of Equestria is clicking my hooves and saying there's no place like home, I will be pissed.
…
Back with Celestia and Nightmare Moon…
Both Alicorns landed equally on their footing in on the outskirts of Ponyville after a quick scuffle.
“I see you’ve actually gotten off your throne to train, “Tia”” Nightmare Moon says as they landed.
“If you thought you were getting Equestria without a fight, Luna, you are sorely mistaken” Celestia answers.
“Well, the thought DID cross mine mind, but it’s nice to know we settle this with a real fight, not that sloppy performance by you 1000 years ago” Nightmare replies to Celestia.
“You are right about one thing Luna, there are no Elements to save me this time, and there are no bearers to be found, I know because I have looked for potential ones and found no results for years. So, the alternative is an alternative I admit I have had a hard time coming to terms with the possibility, but if it means Equestria can live a little longer until the next crisis, then I am prepared to do what must be done” Celestia tells Nightmare why she won’t need the Elements.
“You actually think you’d kill your own sister? Liar! You don’t have the spine to do the necessary, Celestia! Too many villains have roamed free to try again because of your softness and your stupid Sun-loving ponies, I’m living proof, I came back 1000 years later and am ready to show just what a stupid mistake you’ve done” Nightmare called BS.
“You mistake my softness and my care for my little ponies as weakness, Nightmare Moon. That’s what seperates you from Luna. Luna deep down cared about the ponies that gave more love to me than her, If…If I had known just what Luna was enduring, I would’ve stopped it in a heartbeat, because I care for my little sister, I cared when Discord reigned, I cared when our parents disappeared and I care now, no matter the method, Luna will be separated from your evil. I know there’s good in there, all you, Luna have to do, is see that fact” Celestia finished her speech.
“ENOUGH! First Luna and I are the same! Second, you did not care, how dare you lie me! And Third, there will be good within me OVER. MY. DEAD. BODY!” Nightmare Moon says as she charges at Celestia.
Celestia quickly did a sidestep to dodge Nightmare’s charge and fired a few spells at Nightmare in which she either blocked or dodged as Nightmare shot a laser beam down at Celestia, whom dodged the beam and hit one spell on Nightmare who landed on the ground.
“I’m sorry Luna, but this is the only way now” Celestia had a very sad thought.
…
Back to the Elements…
“RAAWWWWR!” a monsterly sound came from in front of us.
Well, it looks like we found the Manticore, we didn’t fall off a cliff since Nightmare Moon is battling Celestia, you could feel the slightest shockwaves of power from here.
“So uh, Franklin?” Andrew talked to Franklin.
“Yes?” Franklin turned his attention.
“How good is your Manticore taming skills?” Andrew asked.
“Well I tamed an angry Bear that was off his pills so this is a step up, hell if I won’t try though” Franklin answered.
“An Angry bear?” I asked him.
“Let’s just say Fluttershy got some respect in my book for taking care of ALL those animals” Franklin replied to that question.
“So, you gonna tame the Manticore or not? We got a Eternal Night to thwart” I say impatiently to Franklin.
“Okay, okay! Keep your tail on” Franklin says as he approaches the Manticore.
Franklin went up to the Manticore, and he goes for the tame ANNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDD…it worked! YES! So we all passed while we can though, this could go wrong any second and I’d like our headstones to not have mauled by a Manticore on the way to six magical objects of power…imagine how embarrassing video game characters would have it if that happened, like Mario dying to a Goomba of all things.
That said, we’re getting closer to the castle, I can still feel the shockwaves of battle but I don’t know how long it will last or if Nightmare Moon will suddenly somehow know that we’re getting the Elements and stop us.
…
Back to Celestia and Nightmare Moon…
Princess Celestia was certainly putting up more of a fight than Nightmare Moon had anticipated, there was no denying she has improved her powers over the years, but Nightmare Moon was sure she was going to win, this has been delayed for far too long.
Celestia shot yet another laser beam at Nightmare Moon who blocked and sent one back at Celestia who met the laser with her own to battle for a tiny bit before letting the laser beam go and dodged to the left.
“Luna! You really need to stop the old laser beam tricks, I’d have thought 1000 years would’ve taught you a number of tricks” Celestia says to Luna.
“And you’re still passive in your fighting style. Like I said before Celestia, you’re too soft and that softness has been a thorn in my flank for far too long!” Nightmare Moon countered.
“Luna! Please understand that what you’re doing is madness!” Celestia tried the tired old plea for Luna to see the light.
“This again? I’d have thought even somepony like you would’ve spent their time and energy on fighting me rather than wasting time to see some “light”” Nightmare shakes her head.
“Because there is still a part of me that believes that just maybe, there’s a future for the two of us to live like we used to! No jealously, no Nightmares, no bad things! Ponies appreciate the night more than ever now, so one last time, come with me, Luna! Come where the two of us can be equal as we rule together as Sisters, laugh at a few jokes with a glass of cider and slice of cake after a hard days work” Celestia said her sincerity in wanting Luna back.
“ENNNOOUUUGH! I WILL NEVER JOIN YOU CELESTIA! NOW DO ME A FAVOUR AND DROP DEAD!” Nightmare Moon used the Royal Canterlot Voice.
Nightmare Moon then resumed the attack on Princess Celestia. At least Celestia tried…
…
“There it is, the castle!” Andrew pointed out.
“No, I thought it was Hogwarts” Don said sarcastically.
“Yeah and the Sorting Hat is waiting for you too” Andrew rolled his eyes.
“Alright, can we just get in the damn castle already?” I ask the five friends.
“Yeah, I kinda like my daytime and to be out of this forest preferably before we die of old age” Ron says.
Alright, Alright! Keep your Cutie Mark on!" Don says as we go in the castle.
Can I just say, wow! This castle is a M-E-S-S! Nightmare Moon and Celestia did a number on this castle, that or the builders of this castle really sucked. There were holes everywhere, lots of rips in fabric, the windows were pretty broken. In fact, all I'm waiting for is some hidden monster or something
“So where were the Elements again?” Patrick asked.
“Uh, from memory of the show, should be on some pedestal thing all stoned up, well five of them cause the spark of friendship summons the sixth element” I rack my brains to remember the second episode of the First season.
“You know guys, I always wondered, where does the sixth Element of Harmony go? Element of Magic was there with Celestia when she beat Nightmare Moon. It’s always been around when Twilight and the others had it, so why did it disappear in the 1000 years?” Andrew asked.
That’s…kind of a good question.
“Good question, we’ll save that one for Celestia shall we?” I say.
Okay, so these Elements have got to be nearby and…AHA! Bingo!
“There’s our prize” Don says.
“Let’s see…1…2…3…4…5, that’s all 5 now we just got to get back to Ponyville and use these on Nightmare Moon” I counted the Elements.
“Oh really? And what makes you think you’ll use those little stone balls on me?” A voice from behind us.
We all turned around and…oh FUCK. MY. LIFE! Nightmare Moon is here!
“I thought you were battling Princess Celestia?” Applejack asked.
“I was indeed but I noticed six little ponies going into the Everfree before, the good number for someponies to reawaken the Elements of Harmony. Even more so that it was you six, some of you talked out at my arrival so I just had a feeling you would be going for the Elements of Harmony, you weren’t very subtle with your plan, nor was Celestia, she was a distraction the whole time, wasn’t she?” Nightmare Moon spoke.
“No, she doesn’t know we went after them” Applejack answered.
“LIAR!” Nightmare shouted.
Suddenly before any of us can react, Nightmare conjured a magic rope and tied us all back to back in one rope. None of us could move.
“Now then, I would get of rid of you here, but you know, I think it would be much more satisfying to rub this in Celestia’s face before she and all six of you go on a non-refundable one-way ticket to the afterlife” Nightmare says to us all/
Oh god, we are so screwed…
Nightmare Moon's One Weakness: FRIENDSHIP MONOLOGUES!
With a flash of light, the six of us still in ropes were tied and teleported back to…Ponyville and there’s Celestia, weak, very very weak. This is not good, not good at all.
“So, it is true! Celestia, you were distracting me the whole time so these six would grab the Elements of Harmony. It almost worked, almost but not quite” Nightmare says to Celestia as she looked all of us in the eye.
“That’s…not true. I don’t have a clue who they are, I’ve searched for twenty years and not one pony was worthy enough” Celestia denies the claim.
“Liar! Why do you continue to lie to me like I am some gullible foal?” Nightmare calls BS.
“Because as a former bearer of Honesty I can tell you that I am not lying and in any case, I may not be worthy to be a bearer no longer, but something tells me that those who are worthy exist here” Celestia replies with a look in our direction.
Urgh! If only I could get rid of these ropes, the Elements are right there in front of us and behind Nightmare Moon, but we can’t get to them.
“Think of your friends, think of the qualities of the Elements and your path will be clear”
That was not me there...but I''ll do it, friends…got it. Wait, if Twilight realized a spark of her friends then there is no reason I shouldn’t be able to do the same thing with my friends. Best friends more like, I mean we have our differences sometimes but I don’t think any of us ever would live without each other.
“Girls?” I talk to my friends.
“Yes, Ed-Twilight?” Franklin answers to my left.
“I want to say, you guys are the best friends I could ask for. Sure sometimes we may argue but you guys are Loyal, Honest, Kind in your own ways, more generous than me and we sure as hell get a good laugh at a bar on a Saturday night” I say to my friends.
“Eddie, you getting sappy on me here?” Dash asks.
“Nope, I’m just saying it now in case this doesn’t work out, you guys are my best friends and when we get back, it’s to the bar and I’m buying” I say
“Yeah, Bros forever!” Dash says.
“Bros Forever!” We say together.
I feel a warmth, the Elements were glowing and floating over while Celestia and Nightmare Moon were still bickering. The Elements cut the rope and broke into pieces to circle everypony but me.
“What’s this? Impossible! How would the Elements choose you?” Nightmare had her mouth open.
“Simple, without chasing the Elements, we already proven our worth to them each and every day. Dash here may be a smartass and might argue but she has never abandoned friends for anything, even things beneficial to her. Fluttershy, always offered a hand of kindness when shit went down the drain and sometimes, a tough kindness was required but it was kindness nonetheless. Pinkie Pie, always pulls a joke, looks out with optimism most in our group and can host some decent parties. Applejack could tell the difference between truth and lies and knows the power of the truth thanks to a politics degree (despite politicians being lairs anyway). Rarity doesn’t have to be asked to give, she gave our friends stuff that we didn’t do anything to deserve her generosity, she might lend money, offer a service and whatever my friend here feels someone needs. As for me, I believe Magic has chosen me, not because of a skill of magic which I confess I have minimal skill, it’s the magic of friendship. You don’t have to be the best of friends to understand it, when you have a good friendship, you just know it. Magic has chosen me to be the leader and the one guide my friends home” I say my monologue.
The element of magic appeared and landed on my hand as the necklaces of Harmony appeared on my friends’ chests. I could feel the Rainbow power surging, it feels…happy, like things are going right in the world. I admit to being a simple university student, but I feel like this is so right for me.
I felt myself being lifted up and we fired off a rainbow beam at Nightmare Moon who screamed a huge “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” and urghh…Harmony takes a lot out of me…plus no sleep for whole day…zzzzzzzzzzzz…
…
Princess Celestia could not believe her eyes, the Elements of Harmony were re-awakened. Years and years of searching for any possible candidates for the Elements had come up fruitless but six mares Celestia had never seen before had popped out of nowhere and were now the bearers…and unconscious.
How was this possible? Nopony but long gone ponies and Celestia herself knew about the Elements’ location, how to become worthy of them, even what they looked like. Yet, here these six mares were, worthy of them, knew how to awaken them once more and turned Nightmare Moon into Princess Luna once more, also unconscious.
Could it be possible the deactivated Elements somehow guided these six mares to learn the secrets of how to wield them? Nay, they couldn’t do that with such little power. But the question is, who are these six mares? Where did they come from and what do they know? Celestia will have to wait for them to wake up.
…
Urrghh…is this the part where I wake up in my bed and this whole thing was a hangover? I open my eyes annnnnnddd…NOPE! Still Twilight Sparkle, damn it! I mean walking around as a pony is interesting and all, it’s just that I like to be home with my friends, oh and the male gender too, I think if I stay female long enough it might brainwash me into thinking this is a good thing.
Across from me and now awakened friends was Princess Luna and Princess Celestia, the latter of whom gave us a stern look, we might be in some shit.
“Did we do it?” Dash asks.
“Yes, Dash. We did.” I confirmed.
“Cool so what now?” Dash asks.
“Dunno, we could always talk to the Princesses” I say
On cue, Luna was coming our way in which all of us bowed just you know, in case the Princesses here do send us in jail for not bowing.
“Rise, Bearers of Harmony” Luna says to us.
We were kind of silent, what do you say to Princess Luna anyway? Oh hi Luna, how was the Nightmare? Oh it was good Edward, being on the moon for 1000 years was certainly fun!
“We art in thy debt, Bearers. Thy actions has released us from the Nightmare and for that we art indebted to thee, thank thee so much” Luna says in the old English.
“It was nothing” I say all heroic.
“Nothing? We say otherwise, who knows what mine actions under the Nightmare Influence could have done, we thank thee, fair maidens.” Luna says to us.
“Lulu, they do not blame you, although I think Luna and I would like to know the names of our new Bearers of Harmony” Celestia says
We looked at each other and said:
“Twilight Sparkle”
“Rarity”
“Fluttershy”
“Pinkie Pie”
“Applejack”
“Rainbow Dash”
AND TOGETHER WE ARE…what? Can’t a guy have a fantasy in his head without the stares?
“I thank you all for our efforts, I feel that you must be given some reward for your valiant efforts” Celestia says.
“Well it’s very kind but-“ I started
“Twilight, don’t be so rude, the Princess is offering generosity and it would be unwise to look the gift pony in the mouth, besides, we don’t have a home” Rarity says.
“Oh right, well as embarrassing as this is…we’re sort of homeless after a bit of…misfortune, so maybe a place to stay?” I say to Celestia.
“I’m sorry to hear you are without a home, hmm…Mayor Mare, a moment please?” Celestia calls over to the mayor.
“Your Highness” the Mayor bows to Celestia as she arrives.
“Our heroes are in need of homes, is there any available that they can use? I will pay for the houses of course” Celestia says.
“The library doesn’t have a librarian and there’s one bed there and a mini-home there. The building with the ponies around the outside has an upstairs that can be used and downstairs as a shop. If one of the Pegasi could take a cloud house on the outskirts of Ponyville, that is available. And I think there is a 4-bed house in the middle of town.” The mayor lists some houses off.
Well, that lists some options.
“I’d be happy to be the new librarian and take the Golden Oak Library” I speak up.
“Cloud House for me, sounds like an awesome place” Dash says (of course she would).
“I might take the pony house please” Rarity says politely.
“Hang on a second, your highness if ah may” Granny Smith’s voice came from behind Celestia.
Granny Smith is here huh? And Dash's supervisor and the Cakes.
“Ah, Granny Smith, haven’t seen you since last harvest season, what do you need?” Celestia asks.
“After seeing a fine job Applejack there had done on our farm, ah’ve considered giving Applejack a job at Sweet Apple Arces, and if she’ll accept, she may stay with us, as she needs an early start to her job” Granny Smith offers.
“I actually came to offer Miss Dash a job here too” Clean Skies adds in.
“Us too if we may for Miss Pie, we’ll even throw in the room upstairs as a bonus” Mr. Cake said.
Well this is working out quite well to our advantage.
“We’ll accept your generous and kind offers” Rarity says as Dash and Pinkie nod (Well Pinkie bounced yes anyway).
"What about me?" Fluttershy asks.
"Well, there is the animal shelter on the outskirts, I'm afraid your supervisor had a heart attack at the sight of Nightmare Moon and did not make it" Mayor Mare said gravely.
"I'll take it, to honor such a kind mare" Fluttershy says.
“Excellent, if nopony has any further comments, enjoy the rest of Luna’s returning party as the pair of us must go” Celestia says
Celestia turned and quickly muttered something to Mr. Cake…reckon it’s something to do with cake, speaking of which, I see cake and no immortal Sun Princess will stop me from devouring the cake.
OHM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!
This cake is delicious, I saved a Princess and got cake and I ain’t even an Italian plumber, today was a good day.
