Ghosts of the Past

by Dusk Cloud

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure
Length: 26158

Discord is back nuff said

With the help of his two minions, Doubt and Distrust, Discord has been freed. His first step, getting revenge on the ones that imprisioned him. Can Twilight and her friends heal their fractured friendship, or will Discord finally be victorious and rule Equestria? Contains violence (some gore), comic mischief, and gambling.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-07-04 06:59:41 UTC

Sowing the Seeds of Discord

"Well that was a bust," stated a dishearted Scootaloo.

"Yeah, what were we thinking?  Playin hoofball to get our Cutie Marks was a bad idea," replied Applebloom as she rubbed her sore flank.

"That's another one off the list," added Sweetie Bell.

They sighed collectively as they made their way back to their clubhouse on the edge of Sweet Apple Acres. The day was cool and sunny.  The pegasus ponies planned today to be a very calm and beautiful day so the other ponies could get ready for the gala without the worry of inclement weather messing up their styled manes.

"Do you think Rarity and her friends would want to help us today," asked Sweetie Bell innocently.

"Nah," replied Applebloom, "They're to busy getting ready for that fancy shmancy gala thingy."

"I thought they made the last one a disaster," said Sweetie Bell.

"Well," stated Applebloom, "the princess said it was the best gala ever and she wanted them to come to this year."

"Oh," said Sweetie Bell glumly as the thought of not being able to spend an afternoon with her big sister sunk in.

"Don't worry bout it," said Scootaloo. "We can do it ourselves. I mean we are the Cutie Mark Crusaders after all."

"Yeah.  We can do it ourselves," added Applebloom. "I mean after all, without our sisters watching us, we could try some dangerous activities.  We could try manticorn wrastlin or base jumpin."

Sweetie Bell brightened up at the thought of trying these interesting things.  She wanted to spend all the time in the world with her sister, but she wanted her cutie mark even more.  She mused about the fun and dangerous things they could try throughout the day while Rarity and her friends got ready for the Grand Galloping Galla.

"Race you to the clubhouse," said Scootaloo as she took an unfair lead.

"Oh you're on!" exclaimed Applebloom as she took off after her.

"Wait up for me guys!" Sweetie Bell yelled not understanding the concept of a race right away.

Sweetie Bell started after them, but stopped as she spied something rustling in a nearby bush.

A creature she never seen before lept out and walked cautiously over to her.  It was an orange creature with a white tip at the end of its bushy tail.  Its nose twitched at the end of its long snout.

"Hello," she said to the creature cautiously but curiously. "What are you?"

"Why I'm a fox my dear," replied the fox.

"Oh, well you're very pretty," said Sweetie Bell.

"Thank you," replied the fox.

"What are you doing out here?" asked Sweetie Bell.

"I was just out for a stroll when I came across you and your friends.  You know they were lying to you." said the fox.

"What do you mean?" asked the little unicorn a bit confused at what she was hearing.

"About asking your sister for help," the fox began, "They actually don't like your sister and think she's snooty and stuck-up."

"No they don't," replied Sweetie Bell.

"Oh they do darling, that's why they said they were going to do dangerous stuff.  It would distract you so you wouldn't realize their true feelings towards your sister.  They believe you to be very dim-witted and easily distracted when it comes to these things."

Sweetie Bell looked at the ground.  She didn't want to believe what she was hearing, but deep inside it was what she feared the others actually thought of her.  She knew she wasn't as smart as the others, but they were her friends and they would never think of her like that.

Or would they?thought Sweetie Bell.

The fox grinned knowing that she had this little foal exactly where she wanted her.

"And the worst part is, I overheard them saying these things the other day when you weren't around.  They insulted your sister and they insulted you.  Especialy that yellow filly with the pink bow in her mane.  She said you and your sister were brats that were only good for sitting around and playing dress-up."

"It's not true!" exclaimed Sweetie Bell and she ran from the fox to catch up with her friends.  The story the fox said still fresh in her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if it was true.

Distrust smiled knowing her job was done.  She walked down the path towards Ponyville.

I think I will start on the Cake family next.  I'm pretty sure I can make the wife think that her husband is cheating on her, thought the sly fox.

She went into The Candy Corner and did just that.  Then she moved on to the other ponies and spread her lies and planted seeds of distrust throughout Ponyville and met up with Doubt after he was done with the flightless one.

Scootaloo was far ahead of the other and started trotting slowly so they could catch up.

"Man," she said to herself, "I can't believe they are that slow.  I didn't even break a sweat."

"I know," came a voice from an unknown source, "you were ssssuperb."

"Who...who's there," said Scootaloo a little startled by the voice.

"Jussst an admirer," said the snake as he slithered out of his hiding spot.

Scootaloo jumped at the slight of the slimey serpent.  She's seen snakes before, but this one was different from the others.  She could feel it.

"You are the besssst athlete I've ever sssseeen," said the snake. "It'ssss sssuch a sssshame that you don't have your cutie mark yet."

"Yeah, I know.  It's kinda lame that I don't," replied Scootaloo still a little apprehensive.

"You want to know what I think," started the snake.  "I think it'ssss thossssse other poniessss that you hang out with.  They hold you back, esssspecially that white one with the horn."

"No way," said Scootaloo.  "They help me and Sweetie Bell is cool."

"Sssshe issss alwayssss whining and tripping over everything.  She doesssn't have the grace that you posssseesssss,"  said the snake.  "You would have your cutie mark if you jusssst ditched them."

Scootaloo thought for a minute about what the snake was telling her.  It was true that Sweetie Bell whined a lot and she did alway's trip over things.  It was also true she was more daring than the others, and the race proved she was more athletic as well.  She was the best at hoofball, but the others just couldn't keep up.

No, it's not true, she thought.  It can't be.  But maybe my friends do hold me back.  Maybe they do that so I won't earn my cutie mark before them.

"Uhhh," started Scootaloo, "Thanks for the heads up, but I have to get to the clubhouse.  See ya."

Scootaloo continued on the path to the clubhouse still thinking about what the weird snake said to her.

Doubt flicked his tongue.  He was satisfied that would be enough to rip those ponies apart.  He started down the path to Ponyville so he could meet his sister.  He helped her create so much chaos in the small town, he couldn't help but be happy at the prospect of reawakening his master.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were assembled in their small clubhouse. Scootaloo sat at the window, deep in thought.  Sweetie Bell was looking at the floor with a frown on her face.

"Well everypony," Applebloom said beaking the silence, "what do y'all want to try next."

"I think we should still ask my sister for help," Sweetie Bell chimed in.

"I told ya.  We can't because she is getting ready for the gala," said Applebloom.

"Is that the reason, or is it because she is snooty?" asked Sweetie Bell with a hint of distrust.

"No.  Well, she can be a little stuck-up at times but...." said Applebloom before being interupted by Sweetie Bell.

"She is not stuck-up," whined Sweetie Bell.  "She is just classier than your sister."

"What's that supposed ta mean?" replied Applebloom.

"Will you both be quiet," Scootaloo commanded.  "Applebloom, you are whining worse than Sweetie Bell."

"I'm not whining," whined Sweetie Bell.

"Yes, you both are and it's giving me a headache.  It's just like you two to mess up my thinking on how to earn my cutie mark," said the annoyed Scootaloo.

"What are you sayin," replied Applebloom with a hint of anger in her voice.

'I'm sayin that you two mess up everything," said Scootaloo matter-of-factly.

"No we don't," replied Sweetie Bell.  "Your stuff is just too hard and dirty."

"No, your just too whiny and stuck up like your sister." said Scootaloo.  "I'm outta here."

Scootaloo backflipped out of the window and landed on her scooter that waited for her at the base of the tree.  As she landed on the scooter, her helmet flipped onto her head and she sped off.

"I'm leaving too," stated Sweetie Bell.

She walked to the door and tripped on the first step.  She landed on the ground with a loud thump.

"I meant to do that," she yelled as she got up and walked in the opposite direction that Scootaloo went.

Applebloom stood alone in her clubhouse, both confused at what just happened and angry that who she thought were her friends would say such awful things to her.  Tears began to form in her big eyes.  She fell to the ground and began to whimper as she thought about what Sweetie Bell said about her sister and what Scootaloo said about her ruining everything.

Fights like this happened all over Ponyville.  Mrs. Cake took the kids and went to her mother's house.  She broke her husband's heart when she accussed him of not being loyal to her and told her to leave.  Berry Punch fought with her friends over how they thought she was ditzy.  All of these doubts were true, buried in the hearts of everypony.  Only Doubt and Distrust could see them and use them agianst everypony.  They were also the only ones that felt the gentle rumble that rippled throughout Equestria.  They hurried back to their cavern hoping their dreams would become reality.

They entered their hideout and stared at the statue of Discord.  They didn't understand what went wrong and felt they let their master down.  Then, the statue began to fracture.  Each piece fell down to reveal a fleshy part underneath.  The stone fragments crashed to the ground, turning into chocolate chips in the process.

Discord stretched his muscles and ate some of the chocolate chips off the ground.  He reached out his hand and summoned a glass of milk.  He drank the glass, as he was known to do, and threw away the milk.  It landed somewhere in the back with a quack.  He looked at the two animals that stared at him like dogs would look at their master.

"Massster," said Doubt with ecstasy in his voice.

"Did you have a nice nap?" asked Distrust lovingly.

"Well of course I did my minions," he said confidently.  "I was only asleep for a year and now it's time that we had a little fun."

"What ssshould we do firssssst?" asked Doubt.

"Well, we should find some very nice clothes," said Discord wolfishly.  "We wouldn't want to show up to a classy party looking like this now would we?"

Their laughter echoed throughout the cavern.  Discord was happy that he was back and could take over Equestria.  He remembered all the fun he had the last time he was freed.  He also remembered the six little ponies that stopped him before.

I won't underestimate those six this time.  I could have stopped the elements from turning me to stone if i was prepared.  They may have the six core elements, but they don't have the one that binds them together.  I made sure that one wouldn't be found a long time ago.  I will win this time. I mean after all, third time's the charm, Discord thought to himself as he and his minions walked out of the dark cavern into the unprepared world.

Party Time

The carriage jerked on the cobblestone road.  The night had finally come for this year's Grand Galloping Gala.  Twilight and her friends were busy talking about their dresses and their plans for the evening.

"I can not believe that I forgot to make new dresses for the gala and we have to wear last year's drab ones," said Rarity scornfully as she looked her dress over.

"Aw calm yer britches," replied Applejack.

"Yeah, last years dresses were awesome and it's not like anypony actually saw them.  I mean come on we ran outta there so fast I bet no pony even remembers them," added Rainbow Dash.

"If you say so," said Rarity.  "Twilight's suggestion of wearing our elements of harmony kind of makes up for last year's fashion."

"Well, I thought we should wear them and show everypony what they look like.  It could be educational to everypony to notice the items that saved them two times over," Twilight said barely keeping the excitement out of her voice.

"It's such a shame about Spike not being able to show up," said Fluttershy quietly.

"Yeah, what was wrong with our little Spiky Wiky?" asked Pinkie Pie.

'He had the Dragonfire Flu," replied Twilight Sparkle.

"What is that?  It sounds dreadful." said Rarity a little concerned for her scaly friend.

"It's when a dragon can't control when their fire breath comes out or how intense it is," answered Twilight Sparkle.

"Sounds kinda awesome," said Rainbow Dash.

"It is," said Twilight Sparkle sarcastically.  "Unless he burns three of your books, half of your furniture, and your favorite sandwich."

"Oh dear, whatever did you do.  If you don't mind me asking," said Fluttershy.

"I cast a spell that puts him to sleep for a few days.  Then I had to cast a shield spell around him so his fire didn't burn anything else," Twilight said.

"We must do something for the little guy after the gala," added Rarity.  "I might have a few gems laying around that I could give him as a little treat."

"Oh Oh," said Pinkie Pie excitedly.  "Look girls, we're here."

The castle looked beautiful tonight.  The moon gently glimmered off of the white walls.  The windows showed a welcoming light coming from within the safe confines of the castle.  Luna even moved the stars around tonight so even they helped create the majestic scene the six friends were witnessing.

"Well I'll be," said Applejack.  "That is a might beautiful sight."

"Yeah," agreed Twilight, "It sure is."

The carriage came to a halt in front of the drawbridge.  All six friend lept off and trotted gracefully into the castle.  All the nobles saw them and groaned silently.  They may have not noticed the dresses these six wore, but they noticed the destruction they caused.

"So, what are we going to do?" asked Twilight.

"Me and Rarity are goin ta enjoy some food and just catch up," said Applejack.  "Between my applebuckin and her dress makin, we haven't been able to talk to each other.  If it's okay with her that is"

"Well that is just a fine idea," said Rarity pleased.  "You being around would be just outstanding, and it might keep an less than charming prince away from me."

"Ya mean Prince Blueblood?" asked Applejack.

"We shall not speak that name.  He might hear us and come over here,"  said Rarity darting her eyes back and forth searching for any sign of the spoiled brat.

"Can I join you two.  I mean if that's okay.  I mean I just don't want to go back to the garden after last time and I don't know anypony else here," Fluttershy said shyly.

"Sure you can sugercube," said Applejack affectionatly.

"Oh thank you Applejack," said Fluttershy relieved that she wouldn't have to talk to the strange ponies at the gala.

"That sounds cool and all," started Rainbow Dash, "but I'm going to try and hang with the Wonderbolts again.  I bet I can get them to notice me this time."

"Yeah, because nearly dropping a statue on them went totally unnoticed," said a displeased Twilight.  She was hoping Rainbow Dash would drop this weird obsession of hers for tonight and join her and Pinkie Pie for the night.  The thought of having to listen to Pinkie Pie by herself annoyed her.  They were best friends, but even her patience had its limits.

"Hey," responded Rainbow Dash.  "That was an accident and I bet they thought it was awesome how I tried to catch that thing all by myself."

Twilight nodded and proceeded down the heavily decorated room with Pinkie Pie leaping after her.  Rainbow Dash went off to search for her childhood heros.  The other three walked over to the food table and enjoyed talking with each other.

The night went on peacefully.  Everypony relaxed and just went on talking about how great they were.  Rainbow Dash may be a little overconfident in herself, but even she did not come close to these snooty ponies.  They had their noses so high up in the air, that if it rained they would drown.

Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie walked around for awhile taking in the sights of the gala.  Well, she was anyway.  Pinkie Pie chatted on in her bubblie tone about how she would love to try and get these unfun ponies to dance a little.  Somehow, that conversation led to her trying to rhyme words with pajamas but that's just how Pinkie Pie is anyway.

The night went on without a problem.  The nobles of Equestria chatted with each other about how great they were.  Wine glasses clinked together in congratulations to each other's accomplishments.  Soft music from the great Octavia and her orchestra wove its way around the halls of the castle.  All was right with the world.

Over at the snack table, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy sat and enjoyed each other's company.  Prince Blueblood came trotting over, but after seeing Rarity he backed away slowly afraid that she would mess up his styled mane.  Rarity saw this out of the corner of her eye and seemed rather pleased she wouldn't have to put up with the royal pain tonight.

Rarity turned her attention back to her country friend.  Applejack was telling her about how Big Macintosh accidentally bucked a bee hive right onto his head and ran around the farm trying to get it off.

Oh my, her accent can get rather annoying, thought Rarity, and do not even get me started on her messy mane.  Did she even try and comb it?  No, no, Applejack is my friend.  We may be different in our ways, but I love her like a sister.

The three friends laughed after Applejack finished her story.

"So Rarity," Applejack began to ask, "what y'all been up to?"

"Well," Rarity began, "I have been working on such a darling coat that goes well with my new hat.  Oh and my fashion line is almost done.  I call it Fashion from the Deep."

Rarity went on and on about her new line of clothing.  Applejack tried to pay attention, but her thoughts were else where.

All this pony talks about  is clothes.  She didn't even pay attention to my story.  I saw her eyeing up that hoity toity prince when he walked by, thought Applejack.  Wait a minute.  I wonder if she still thinks I'm a sloppy pony.  That would explain a lot.  Wait Applejack, calm down.  After that night at Twi's, we've been lookin past those differences.  I love her like a sister after all.

The night pretty much went like that for those three.  They just sat and talked and ate some of the fancy food that was on the table.  Fluttershy didn't say much, but she was happy she was with her friends and not those mean animals in the garden.

Rainbow Dash trotted around the grand hall of the castle  The light from the torches glinted of the  white marble walls.  The red and purple tapestries danced as a small breeze fluttered around them.  Her dress caught the attention of every guest that was there.  They silently judged her with approving nods and shocked eyes.

Man!  Don't these ponies have anything better to do than stare at each other's clothes.  I mean yeah I'm awesome and all, but they should be cheering at me for my daring tricks and good looks, she thought as she smiled at the stuck-up ponies.

"Hey Dash," came an oh so familiar voice.

Rainbow turned and was greeted by Spitfire, the leader of the Wonderbolts.  She wasn't wearing her usual blue jumpsuit with aviator goggles.  Instead, she was wearing a deep blue dress with lighter blue sequins that formed swirling patterns, as if a majestic wave coilled itself around her sleek body.

"Spitfire!" Rainbow said in surprise.  "You look...aweso...fantas...beauti...."  She couldn't finish her sentence.  The shear presence of her childhood hero tended to twist her tounge around.

Spitfire chuckled.  "Yeah, I'm all of those," she replied trying to reassure the dumbfounded pegusus.

"Sorry," said Dash regaining her cool.  "What's up?"

"Oh, you know...some flying...some relaxing...some more flying.  The usual." she said kind of bored at the thought of how tonight was going.

"That sounds...okay," replied Dash.

"No it doesn't.  I'm all for fine food and social gatherings, but this is just boring," said Spitfire.

The music changed from its soft tone to a more refined sound.  Rainbow could feel her heart sinking with how this was going.

I have to turn this around.  I'm losing her, she thought.

"Hey.  Where are the other Wonderbolts?"

"They're around," replied Spitfire.  "I actually told them to fan out so the crowd would follow them."

"What did you do that for?" asked a curious Rainbow Dash.

"I wanted to keep the...."  She stopped and waved to some passerbys and continued.  "I wanted them to keep the others away so I could talk to you."

"Why did you want to talk to me?" asked Dash.

"Well, Blaster wants to retire from the Wonderbolts to follow his dreams of being a florist."

"That sounds a little lame for a Wonderbolt," interrupted Dash.

"Not really.  We Wonderbolts tend to enjoy things like that between being daredevils.  It's soothing, but I'm getting off track."

Rainbow Dash listened intently as Spitfire continued.

"We are going to need a new member, so me and Soarin thought it should be you."

Rainbow's heart lept from her chest.  They're asking me...ME! to be a Wonderbolt!  Calm down Dash.  Don't blow it.

"Why don't you and me go somewhere private and discuss your offer," Spitfire said.

Rainbow Dash could barely keep her excitement contained.  Her dreams were going to finally come true.  She withheld a squeal as Spitfire led her out to the gardens.

The night air felt cool on Twilight's face.  The moon was shining brighter than it was when they arrived at the gala.  Birds were singing the soothing song of nature.  Pinkie was busy bouncing behind Twilight with a smile as big as her heart.

I hope I can find my brother and Cadance.  I haven't seen them since they got married, thought Twilight.

Twilight saw her brother and new sister-in-law over by the fountain.  The water created a cooler area, so it wasn't a surprise the two were loitering around it.  They seemed more interested in each other than the gala. Twilight rushed over to greet them with Pinkie Pie following just behind her.

"Shining Armor, Cadance! I missed you both so much," she exclaimed.

"Twily," Shining Armor said with joy in his voice.  "How ya been little sis?"

"Oh you know, I've been...." Twilight said.

"She's been amazing!," interrupted Pinkie Pie.  "I mean how could she not be!  She's your sister, but you already knew that so you should know she's amazing!"

Twilight looked at her brother a little embarassed at what Pinkie was saying.  Shining Armor just laughed.  He thought Twilight's friends suited her.

"If it wasn't for friends like her, your life would be as boring as those books you read," chuckled Shining Armor.  Twilight's cheeks grew hotter at the compliment.

"Honey,' Cadance began, "remember that message you have to give her?"

"Oh right, thanks sweetie," Shining Armor said as he kissed his wife.

"What message?" Twilight asked.

"Princess Celestia wanted to see you and your friends right away," said Shining Armor.

Twilight was a little confused at this point.  Last time, the princess didn't even have enough time to talk to her.  Now, she wanted to talk to all of them.  She felt like something was wrong.

Turning to Pinkie Pie, Twilight said, "You go get Rainbow Dash.  I'll find the others."

"Oki doki loki," was the reply she got from the overenergetic pony as they went their seperate ways to assemble the gang.

The six friends were gathered in Princess Celestia's private quarters.  Twilight has only ever been in here once, but was still surprised at how plain it looked.  There were no statues, tapestries, or even a single bit of treasure.  Their was a bed with a simple blanket and pillow over in the corner.  The one side of the room was taken up by some bookcases filled with, what else, books of different sizes and colors.  A fire flickered in the small fireplace on the other side of the room with a beautiful carpet laying a safe distance from it.

Celestia's worried look confirmed Twilight's suspicions.  Something was definitely wrong.  The fire let out a crackle as the princess began.

"I'm glad you and your friends came tonight, and I'm even happier you wore the elements of harmony."

"Why, whats wrong princess," asked Twilight curiously.

"It's Discord.  He...."

The princess was interrupted by the sound of screams coming downstairs.  She rushed out with Twilight and her friends not far behind.  They arriived at the ballroom, some of them heaving at how fast they had to run to keep up with the princess.

It was total chaos in the room.  The food got up and started dancing across the table.  The colors of the room clashed with each other in a disgusting plaid pattern.  Vanilla ice cream was falling from the ceiling.  The statues were breaking apart and fixing themselves.  The guests were running around confused at what to do or what was going on.  Shining Armor ran into the room.  His mood changed from loving brother to harsh commander.

"Guards! Assemble here and stop this chaos!" he ordered.

"What's wrong?" came a cocky voice.  "I thought everypony loved ice cream, and I thought dancing food would be cute."

Discord sat on top of the breaking statue.  Even when it broke, he stayed right where he was.

"Discord, stop it now," said Celestia with anger in her voice.  "You have done enough."

"Ah, hello again Celestia. How have you been," he said sneering.

"Don't worry princess, we'll handle this," said a confident Twilight.  "Girls lets do this!"

Their elements glowed.  Each one levitated off the ground and got into position.  Twilight opend her glowing eyes and a rainbow shot out from where they stood.  It curled and whipped itself towards where Discord stood.

Discord yawned and turned his entire body into a mirror.  The rainbow bounced off of him and returned back to the mane six.  The blast knocked them away from each other.  They got up shaken over what happened.  Celestia's eyes widened.  The elements of harmony had failed.

"Now please," said a victorious Discord.  "You thought that same old trick would work on me again.  You wound me."

He turned to Celestia and continued with a laugh, "You thought that those six elements would hurt me again.  Without the seventh, they are only a shadow of their former selves.  Your little pets have failed, so lets see how mine fair."

"What did he mean by seventh," Twilight asked Pinkie.

Pinkie wasn't paying attention.  She was looking at a fox as it crept closer to her.

"Pinkie Pie," it said cooly.  "Why do you hang out with this Twilight Sparkel.  She doesn't appreciate you.  She thinks you are annoying and childish.  She thinks the only thing you can be responsible for is giving her a headache everytime you come to visit."

Pinkie was shocked at what she was hearing.  "Your wrong! Twilight loves me.  We are best pony friends forever."

"Why don't you ask her," she said to Pinkie Pie.

"Its not true.  Right Twilight?" Pinkie asked her purple friend.

Twilight looked down to the floor embarassed.  Pinkie was shocked to see her reaction.  It only made her fears real.  That's what Twilight thought of her.

That's probably what the others think too, Pinkie thought as tears welled up in her eyes.

"You get away from our friend you nasty varmint," screamed Applejack as she and Rarity charged at the menacing creature.  They were stopped by a nasty serpant.

"Come now, " it began, "how can you sssay sshe's your friend when you two can't even get along."

"Get out of our way you disgusting thing," said Rarity trying to slap it out of the way.

It moved quickly to the side and continued, "Rartiy, how bout you tell Applejack what you really think of her.  How she'ssss ssssloppy and her accent is annoying."

"How did you...." started Rarity before she was cut off by the serpant.

"And Applejack, tell her how you think she'ssss sssnooty and overdramatic all the time.  I'm sssure ssshe would ressspect the honessty."

"It's ain't true," Applejack screamed as she backed away slowly from the venomous thing.

"How can you two be friendssss?  Your oppossties and will never ever be friendsss," it finished.

"Girls, focus," pleaded Twilight.  "Use the elements again, please."

No pony paid attention to her.  Pinkie was on the ground whimpering as dark thoughts crept on her mind.  Her mane and tail were straight and she lost some color on her coat.  Applejack and Rarity couldn't look each other in the eye as their innermost doubts were brought out into the light.  Discord saw this as a perfect opportunity to seal his victory.  He snapped the talons on his claw-like hand.  Pinkie and Twilight were captured in a pink bubble.  Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack were captured in one as well.  Rainbow Dash, being the only one off the ground and the farthest away from the group, was captured alone in one too.

Shining Armor saw this and with anger in his voice yelled, "Stay away from my sister! Guards seize him NOW!"

The small band of guards ran to apprehend the villain.  The Wonderbolts took flight and tried to get him to the ground.  Discord yawned again.  He wasn't impressed.

"You really think a small group of ponies in shiny Nightmare Night costumes really scare me," he said snapping his talons again.  "I think you would enjoy this.  No wait, you won't but I will.

The guards froze and fell to the ground.  They lost control of their legs.  They felt like jelly and wiggled around as they tried in vain to regain their balance.  The Wonderbolt's wings turned to cement and fell to the ground.  Their glorious wings that helped them defy gravity now imposed it on them.

Discord laughed approvingly at the site.  "Now there's a sight.  I haven't had this much fun since I was back last year.  Celestia, I expected more from you."

Celestia shook of the shock she was feeling and charged at Discord.  Discord laughed again and produced a weird looking weapon that resembled a bazzoka from the eighties.  He shot it at the princess.  She was caught off guard by this attack and couldn't turn away from the beam.  There was a scream and a thud as somepony hit the floor.

Celestia was unharmed, but the same couldn't be said for her sister, Luna.  No pony even knew she was there.  She was hiding in the shadows afraid to act.  Seeing her sister in danger made her jump out and take the beam.  She couldn't feel her legs.  Her body.

"I'm sorry sister," she said weakly as the stone overtook her entire body.  What was once the princess of the night was now a perfect statue of the beautiful mare.

Celestia felt tears drip down her cheeks.  She dropped to her knees, not wanting to believe what just happened.  She felt a blast hit her as Discord fired again, not missing this time.

She tried to stand, but the stone was creeping up her legs slowly.  She was going to be a statue like her sister, and nothing could stop it.

"You lost Celestia," he said amused.  "Equestria is finally mine to do with whatever I want.  Before you turn to stone, you might like to know I won't hurt your friends.  My pets already did more than I could ever do to them.  I think they would like a tour of  the Everfree Forest.  I don't think they know just how deep it actually goes."

He snapped his talons and the bubbles that held the little ponies captive rose out of the castle.  The each caught a brief site of each other before they were whisked away in different directions towards the Everfree Forest.

Before they were gone Celestia shouted, "Girls, find the missing element.  Don't give up.  Don't lose...." she never got to finish the sentence as she was sealed within her stone prison.  Discord was now unable to be challenged.  He was the most powerful being in Equestira.

He turned back to the guards and laughed as they were still trying to stand up.

"This is just too rich," said Discord.  "Everypony should be able to experiance this.  In fact, I think they will.  They have a lot they will be experiancing from now on.  First though, I think I'll have some cheese.  Cheese and crackers sound lovely, don't you think Celestia."

He didn't get a response, but that wasn't important.  She was, after all, just a statue.

"What's the matter.  Is the site too rocky for you?"  An evil laugh filled the chamber as darkness fell upon all of Equestria.  Discord was victorious.  He had beaten Celestia, Twilight, and harmony itslef.  The only thing he hadn't beaten yet was his hunger for cheese.  Cheese is the food of choice of mad-gods after all, is it not?

Fractured Hearts

Twilight Sparkle woke up in the darkness of the Everfree Forest, her head pounding from the fall.  Pinkie Pie stirred and got up, feeling groggy as well.  Twilight was happy that her friend was okay.  She wouldn't know what to do without her friends, especially Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie looked over at Twilight with tears still dripping from her pale blue eyes, her mane still straight and her color still pale.  Twilight noticed the look and her heart sank.  Pinkie Pie wasn't okay; she was far from it.  Twilight's thoughts about Pinkie being annoying were out in the open.  They were never supposed to see the light of day, never supposed to hurt her best friend.

"Pinkie," Twilight said sadly.

Pinkie held up a hoof to stop her.  "Was what that weird foxy thingy said true?  Am I annoying and do I give you headaches?"

The question was answered the same way as when it was asked back at the castle.  Twilight didn't want her to know that little dark thought.  Pinkie was Twilight's best friend.  Twilight wanted it taken back.  She wished that she never felt that feeling.  Her wishes were unanswered as Pinkie starred at her waiting for a reply.

"Pinkie," she sighed, "I do think you are kind of annoying at times and childish, but...."

"No buts," Pinkie threw out.  "You were my best friend and you thought it would be alright to think of me like that?"  Tears began to form from her eyes again as the words left her lips.  "I don't even think I can trust you anymore."

It felt like Twilight's world was destroyed the instant the last word was said.  Pinkie Pie not trusting her was the worst thing that ever happened to her.  She loved Pinkie Pie and she hated herself.  All she wanted to do was fade into darkness so she wouldn't have to look into the pink pony's hurt eyes.

Twilight looked at the sky.  Dark clouds were forming.  With Discord incharge, there was no telling what would fall from them.  She looked around the dark surroundings of the Everfree Forest.  The trees looked like evil monsters.  Their claw-like branches outstreched to capture any pony unlucky enough to walk into their reach.  A cave was at the end of a long path.  Its mouth open with a dark abyss waiting inside.  The rocks around the mouth looked like teeth, ready to devour anypony that wandered inside.

This was the only form of shelter for miles around as far as Twilight could tell.  She hoped Pinkie Pie would at least listen to her and come inside before the storm came.  She was surprised to see Pinkie Pie already walking towards the cave.  They have been best friends for so long, Pinkie could almost read Twilight's thoughts.

I have to do something.  I can't let this friendship end over my own judgemental thoughts, thought Twilight.

She walked towards the cave, hoping deep down she could somehow restore the trust that once bound these two together in friendship.  Thunder was heard off in the distance.  Lightning that looked like fiery yellow taffy flashed in the distance.  Sour milk began to fall from the sky.  Discord ruined a friendship.  Now he was going to rub salt in the wounds and make the poor ponies chances of survival very short.

Rainbow Dash felt dazed.  The pain in her wing was too much to take.  The bubble hit a tree and made her land on her right wing in the wrong way.  It felt like a knife was stuck inside of it, and tugging on it would only make it worse.

I have to find my friends.  Discord did something to them.  It's just a trick, it has to be, she thought.

She tried to stand up, but it made the pain worse.  She fell to the ground with tears in her eyes.  The toughest pony was brought to tears not because of her wing, but because of the hoplessness she felt.  She couldn't reach her friends in this condition.  She couldn't help them.  She couldn't help the princesses.  She couldn't help herself.

The pain continued to writhe around in her wing.  Combined with the pain in her heart, it caused her to fall on her side.  Her vision was fading.  It was hard to focus on staying awake.  The last thing she saw was a figure coming up to her.  Its eyes glowed mysteriously.

"Please...don't...ugh," said the now unconscious pony, her mane gracefully blowing in the wind.

The storm worsened as time went by.  Trees began to bend as the unnaturally harsh wind attacked them from each angle.  The weird creatures of the forest scampered off to shelter themselves from the onslaught.  Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy awoke in a clearing deep within the forest.  They shook off their confusion and took in their surroundings.

"Welp, I haven't the foggiest idea on where we are," said Applejack still a little dazed.

"IIIII'vvvveee nevvver been thisss far in the foresst," Fluttershy stuttered as she found a nice bush to hide under.  Terror was coursing through her veins.

"I think we should find Zecora's hut.  It would be the best place to shelter us from this storm.  Wouldn't you agree Applejack.

Applejack just stared at the ground.  Rarity thought for a moment and remembered their ordeal with the dreadful snake.  She gazed at the ground as well.  Fluttershy felt the akwardness of the situation.

Rarity and Applejack haven't been able to look each other in the eye since Doubt told them what each actually thought of the other.  The wind blew harshly through the trees.  Ominous clouds were building up in the sky.  Fluttershy was cowering under a bush, afraid of what was happening.  Applejack was the first to break the silence.

"Well," Applejack said akwardly, "I reckon we're too far away from her hut.  We should find a tree or somethin to wait out the storm."

"I...agree," replied Fluttershy to scared to move from her little hiding spot.

Rarity looked at Applejack with sad eyes.  Applejack returned the gaze briefly, then resumed staring at the ground.

"What of our friendship," began Rarity.  "Was that dreadful snake right?  Is our friendship just a lie?"

Applejack didn't want to believe it, but maybe the slippery rascal was right.  They were both opposites in every way.  Rarity always complained when hard work or getting dirty was involved.  Applejack hated all the fru fru stuff Rarity loved so much.

"I don't know," she finally replied.  "I have my doubts on that there snake, but what he said was true.  You and me are total opposites.  We get on each other's nerves faster than flies on Granny Smith's teeth.  Maybe he was right.  Maybe it is just a big waste of time."

Rarity couldn't believe what she was hearing.  She thought Applejack loved her.  She thought they would be the best of friends forever.  She didn't want to believe it, but Applejack represents honesty.  It broke her heart in more ways than one.  Applejack just looked at the ground, still hurting from what she said.  Fluttershy's mouth was agape at what she heard.  She wanted to comfort them and help them through this, but she was to frieghtened of the storm to say more than a squeak.

They all got up and proceeded deeper into the dark forest hoping shelter could be found.  Rarity and Applejack didn't say a word to each other as they felt their friendship fading away with each step they took into the unknown.

Stubborn Wills

"TWILIGHT!" Rainbow Dash screamed as she awoke again, sweat dripping from her mane.

It was just a nightmare, she thought shaking off the drowziness that filled her head.

"Your finally awake," said a mysterious voice.  "Quit making so much noise.  It's bad enough I had to bring you back here."

Rainbow Dash jerked her head in the direction of the voice.  She stared at a pony bigger than herself.  He was crimson with a black mane and tail.  Crimson streaks were intertwined with the black.  He had his wings folded into his sleek body.  He wore a cowboy hat over his head.  Dash's heart lept at the sight of the majestic pony she saw before her.

"Where is here anyway?" she finally managed to say.

"Your in my cabin.  Don't touch anything or I'll through you in the rain."

"What's your problem?" asked Rainbow Dash angrily.

"My problem is that you are in my cabin.  The cabin where only I am aloud to be in.  The cabin I use to stay away from all you heartless ponies out there."

Rainbow Dash tried to get up in the air, but the pain in her right side reminded her of her broken wing.  She settled for walking over to the bitter pony.

"Listen up," she started.  "I don't know who you are, but no pony talks to me like that unless they want a beat down."

"Bring it.  I'll just break your other wing and through you outside to suffer.  I gave you some medicine for that pathetic wing.  It will heal your wing within a few hours, so just shut up and lay back down."

Rainbow Dash felt the anger bubbling in her chest.  She wanted nothing more than to sock this pony in the side of the face.  She hated it when people told her to shut up.

"Whatever," she said.  "If my wing wasn't broken, I'd beat the living snot outta ya."

"I bet you would," said the mysterous pony sarcastically.  "Now if you don't mind, I have to go out and find some extra food.  The medicine works better when your full, so I can deal with a little foul smelling rain if it means your out of my mane quicker."

He got up and turned around.  He picked up a saddlebag and proceeded out the door into the terrible storm.  Rainbow Dash spotted his cutie mark as he left.  It portrayed a setting sun.  This peaked Rainbow's curiousity, but she would have to wait until her angry host came back.

She took the time to take in her surroundings.  The cabin was small.  It housed a small bookcase filled with dusty tomes. A small fireplace crackled in the corner  giving the room a soft warmth.  The windows were dark, kinda like her host's heart.  She looked at her wing.  It was bandaged up and a green liquid oozed from the bandages.

"Ew!" she exclaimed, "This stuff better work, because it's nasty."

She continued to look around her dismal surroundings.  The fireplace only gave a small amount of light, but from what she could tell there was a table at the end of the room.  It didn't look like there was a bed of any kind in the house.  Her eyes fell upon a small chest just barely visible in the room.  It hummed gently in the quiet surroundings.

I wonder what this idiot is hiding, she thought to herself.  She walked over to the strange container and tried to open it.  It was locked.

Dang.  I wonder where mr. grouch is hiding the key.

She looked all over the cabin for the key.  She looked under the rug, on the table, and in the bookcase.  She bumped the flimsy bookcase as she turned around and a small book fell out of it.

"What's this?" she said as she flipped through the ragged book.

She opend the book to a picture of Canterlot Castle.  Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were standing under a small tree with two other alicorns.  They seemed like they were younger in the picture, as Luna was only half the size of Celestia, but Celestia was double the size of the other two that stood in the picture.  The color has long faded from the picture, so she couldn't tell who the other two were.  It didn't even look like they had their cutie marks yet.

Upon further inspection, she spotted a slight bulge in the picture.  When she removed the picture, she found a small key.  She took it and proceeded back to the chest.  She put it in and turned the it in the heart shaped lock.  It clicked and unlocked.

Before she could open up to reveal its contents, she found herself sailing across the room.  She crashed into the table, knocking it over in the process.  The left side of her face hurt worse than her wing.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING!" exclaimed an angry crimson pony.  His yellow eyes were brightened as rage filled them.

Rainbow Dash regained her footing and stared at him intensly.

"What's the big idea?" she said.

"You shouldn't have touched my things.  Where did you even find that key?"

"Behind this picture," she said producing the faded image.

The crimson pony's eyes widened as he tried to grab it from the cyan pony.  She was to quick and pulled it away from his grasp.

"I'll give this to you after you give me some answers," she said flatly.

"No, you'll give it to me now!"

He ran to grap it, but she got up and ran the opposite direction.  They ran in circles for what seemed like hours.  He wanted the photo, Rainbow Dash wanted answers.  Both were to stubborn to satisfy the other.

"It's just like you ponies, taking away things that don't belong to you and being mean and uncaring towards each other," huffed the crimson pony.  "I bet this is exactly what you do to others.  You don't care about anypony but yourself."

Rainbow Dash stopped and turned to the crimson pony.  He stopped a few feet away from her.  She placed the photo on the ground behind her and sat on it.  This only angered him even further.

"What do you mean I don't care about anypony else.  I care a lot.  I do reperesent the element of loyalty after all."

This took the crimson pony by surprise.  "If your what you say you are, where is the element?" he said curiously but not without a hint of anger tainting his tone.

"It's right here," said Rainbow Dash pointing to the lightning bolt shaped gem in her necklace.  It glimmered softly in the warm glow of the fire.

"That's not an element.  They are stone orbs that house powerful magic.  If it was an element, then the...." he stopped and listened.  He hadn't noticed it before, but he heard a soft humming coming from his small chest.

Rainbow's head moved slightly to the side.  She was confused at the other pony's reaction.  She decided to break the silence.

"Ready to answer my questions?" she asked.

She began to levitate slowly off the ground.  It caught her off guard and she yowled in surprise.  Her wing was still hurt, so it wasn't her.  She saw the picture fly softly back to the crimson pony.  A soft red glow was coming from under his hat.  The picture landed just in front of the pony.  He gazed at it intently and shook his head.  Rainbow was slowly set back down on the floor.

She looked at the pony oddly.  She was more confused than ever now.  She started to say something, but stopped when she saw tears dropping from his glistening eyes onto the picture.

My past has finally caught up to me after all these years, he thought sadly to himself.

Finding Faith

The tears fell on the picture like small puddles, each glistening from the light that came from the small fire.  His anger had faded, now replaced only with saddness and despair.  His life wasn't the best.  In fact, he hated it.  He hated himself the most, because he hated everypony in the world.  He has ever since he was a small filly.

Rainbow Dash's eyes softened at the sight of the stallion's saddness.  She may not understand what was wrong, but she knew better than others what it felt like to be alone all the time.  She wanted to find out what was wrong, but she didn't know how to break the silence.

Shadows danced around the room as the fire crackled in its small home.  Birds were singing strangly off key just outside the windows.  The humming continued from the chest.  The stallion's sobs grew quiet and were replaced by an eerie silence.  This went on for a few minutes before Rainbow Dash found the courage to speak.

"Umm, you okay?" she said with compassion in her voice.

He looked up from the picture and eyed her strangly.  He was so lost in his old memories, that he had forgotten she was even there.  His face hardened as he regained his composure.  He got up and faced the young pony.  He took off his hat and revealed a well-polished horn.

He swiped it downwards at the cyan pegasus.  She closed her eyes and waited for it to make contact.  It never did.  She opened her eyes and looked strangly at the white fabric that had once bandaged her wing dance gracefully to the ground.  She looked at him strangly.

"If the medicine stays on too long, it'll rot it right off.  It should be fine now, so you can leave," he said his voice cracking from the sobbing he had done.

Rainbow Dash wanted to leave and find her friends.  She wanted to save Equestria again, thinking it would help her fall in good graces with the Wonderbolts.  Oddly, something inside of her told her to stay.  She felt she had to.  She wanted answers.  She had to find an excuse to stay.  Luckily, she didn't have to think very hard.  The wind howled outside viciously.  It was as if the forest was screaming for her to stay with the odd crimson stallion.

"The wind is too strong," she said.  "I don't think I'll be able to fly very well.  Maybe I should stay here for the night."

The alicorn started to object, but was drowned out by the wind as it howled in greater force.  He didn't want her to stay.  He just wanted her to leave so he could continue his life of self-exile.  It's what he wanted, but he didn't lose his kind heart over the long years of solitude.

"Fine, you can stay the night.  But that is all.  I want you gone by morning," he said.

She nodded her head in agreement.  Ok,I'm in.  Now I have to get him talking, she thought.

"Well, since we are one time roommates, maybe I can get your name.  My name is Rainbow Dash."

The alicorn thought for a minute.  He didn't have many chances to talk to other ponies.  He actually never talked to other ponies.  He decided to it would be alright to give his name.

"My name is Crimson Dusk," he said breaking the silence.

Crimson Dusk eh.  Sounds kinda cool. thought the young pegusus.

"Alright Rainbow Dash, I have some questions.  First off, how did you even get here."

Rainbow's gaze fell to the ground as she recalled the events of the gala.  Crimson listened intently and his ears perked up when Discord was mentioned.  His seemed to focus more after that point on her story.  When she was finished, there was a long pause.  It was as if the whole world stopped as Dusk let the story sink in.

"I had a feeling the weather was his doing," he finally said.  "I thought he was gone a long time ago, but he must have found a way to come back.  Probably because of you selfish, ungratful ponies."

That comment angered Rainbow Dash.  She immediatly got up and hoofslapped the arrogant alicorn in the face.  It didn't hurt, but he was shocked.

"What gives you the right to call everypony selfish," she began.  "I've just watched all my friends get a royal smackdown from some messed up maniac.  I want to rush out that door and find them, but I have no idea where to begin and the wind is keeping me grounded.  If anything, you are the selfish one all held up in your safe little house."

This just got Dusk angry.  He squatted down so he could look her in the eyes.  They held each other's gaze; both unwilling to give up the silent duel that they held.

"Have you ever done anything for anypony without wanting recognition?" he said with venom in his words.  "Have you done something without expecting a reward?"

She broke her gaze off and looked at the floor.  A few things came to mind.  She thought about the time she saved that pony from the well, but then recalled that it led to her only wanting more recognition.  She then had the thought about her accepting Tank as her pet, but remembered she only did it because she wanted a pet.  She couldn't really say anything to answer his question.  Everything she ever did was to either satisfy her ego, or to try and get her praise from the Wonderbolts.

"That's what I thought.  You ponies are all the same.  You all say that you do things for others when in reality you do it only for yourselves."

She closed her eyes as tears began to well up inside.  She couldn't find anything wrong with his arguement.  She represented the element of loyalty, so she remained loyal to her friends and home, or was that the case.  Had she done it for her home, or for herself.  Uncertainty started to creep inside her.  She wasn't sure which was the truth.  She doubted all her actions.

She began to feel terrible about herself, until she remembered her friends.  She remembered how they accepted her into their group.  She remembered how they dressed up as some superhero to save her from her growing ego.  She remembered how she turned down the offer to be with the Shadowbolts to help her friends.  She opened her eyes and starred directly into his intensly.

"I may not be the most generous pony, or the most humble.  I, on the other hoof, know one thing.  My friends need me.  They are out there in that storm and they need my help.  Equestria needs me, no us.  If we don't stop Discord, no pony will and that's the end.  You might think I'm doing this for selfish reasons, but this time I'm not."

The humming grew louder from the chest.

"My friends have had my back since day one.  I can always count on them. When my ego gets the better of me, they help me through it.  They helped me through some rough times."

The humming was deafiining now, but that didn't stop Rainbow Dash.

"I believe in my friends, and they believe in me.  The only way we got through everything is because we had faith in each other!"

The chest gave a bright flash as if agreeing with the stubborn pony.  Crimson Dusk was taken back by the intensity of the flash and Rainbow Dash was stunned by it.  When it stopped, Rainbow Dash looked at Crimson Dusk.  He slowly walked over to the chest and opened the lid.  There in the middle of the box was a still humming stone orb.  Dash was astonished at what she was looking at.

"That's an element of harmony!" she gasped.

He looked over at her and said, "Yeah, it is.  It's the element of faith.  It only acts like that when real faith is in a pony's heart.  Your the first one that has made it act like that in such a long time."

"Wait, isn't faith and loyalty the same thing?" she asked.

"Most ponies think that, but they are far from the same.  Loyalty is when a pony will stop at nothing to help their friends.  Faith is believing that they will.  Faith is believing in one another, even when times are dark.  They are very close and commonly confused, but they can not live without each other.  Faith is basically what binds a friendship together  Loyalties may shift, but faithfulness is forever."

Rainbow Dash had to think for a minute.  What he said made sense as one could be loyal to another, but loyalty has a tendency to shift back in forth.  When you have faith in something, it is very hard to lose that.  She nodded her head in agreement.

"You really care for your friends that much?" he asked.

She nodded again.  "I love my friends and always want to be there for them.  I could be your friend to, if you want me too."

She held out her hoof.  Crimson Dusk hesitated.  He had believed for a long time that ponies were selfish, yet this one wanted to be his friend.  His heart fluttered a little inside.  He wondered if this was what true frienship was, or if it was something completely different.

"It has been a long time since I have ever had a friend," he said taking her hoof and shaking it.  "I will give it a chance.  Anypony that shows that kind of faith in her friends can't be that selfish."

Rainbow smiled and, for the first time in ages, Crimson Dusk returned the smile.

The wind stopped outside and everything seemed fine.

"I want you to help me find my friends," she pleaded.  "I bet you know this forest better than anypony."

He nodded in agreement.  He knew every tree and rock in the forest.  He wanted to help his new friend.  He grabbed his saddlebag and placed the element of faith in it.  He threw it on his back and they both moved to the door.  When they were outside, they extended their wings and took off into the dark skies.

Sacrifice for Friendship

Being inside the cave was like being inside a dark freezer.  The air was stale and cold.  Water dripped from above and froze before it hit the rocky floor.  Wind howled intensely from all angles, as if the cave itself protested the presence of the purple and pink intruders.

Twilight cast a simple light spell to push back the ever present darkness.  It did well against the physical darkness, but it was not powerful enough to push the darkness that was inside both of their hearts.  Pinkie found a small corner in the back and just layed there.  She whimpered as she replayed the events of the night before over and over in her head.  The cave echoing her saddness didn't help ease Twilight's broken heart.

"Pinkie, please talk to me.  I'm sorry about it all. I want it all taken back," Twilight pleaded in vain.  Pinkie stopped listening to her.  She just kept whimpering and crying.  She was a shell of the bubbly and comedic pony she was before Distrust had her way with her.

Twilight lowered her head.  It was no use talking to her.  She wasn't going to listen.  Twilight tried her best to push her emotions to the back of her mind and proceeded to ponder on what the princess said before they were whisked away on this nightmare.

Seventh element?  I never read anything about a seventh element in any of my books.  There had only been six.  Six elements and six ponies to represent them.  And what did she not want us to lose? Lose the fight? Lose our lives?

Twilight kept replaying the events in her mind and what the princess yelled at them, even though it hurt.  Between losing Pinkie and watching her mentor turned to stone before her very eyes, Twilight felt as if her entire world was crumbling around her.  She had too though.  She felt that whatever the princess was about to say was the key to ending Discord's cruel rein for all eternity.

The wind grew louder and the pugnent rain fell harder.  This created the worst possible smell Twilight ever had the misfortune of smelling, and she lived with a very flatulent baby dragon.

"Oh Spike," she said glumly, "I wish you were here."

The seconds turned to minutes and the minutes turned to hours.  Twilight thought long and hard.  Everytime she thought, she recieved more questions and theories, but less answers. Pinkie's sobs grew into wails and the tears fell from her eyes like a broken faucet.    She began to get frustrated.  She could never handle stress well.

"AH!  Pinkie, SHUT UP!  I'm trying to think and your being very annoying!"  Twilight snapped and the pale pony.

Pinkie looked at her in shock.  "Why do you keep calling me that?" she said between sobs.  "Am I giving you another achey ache in your smarty smart head?  I'm sorry for being a stupid baby pony.  I"m sorry that I'm too annoying and childish for you to think of me as your friend."

Pinkie got up and ran farther into the darkness of the cave.  Her entire body was engulfed in a darkness that didn't come even close to how dark she felt inside. Twilight couldn't believe she just said that to her best friend.

"No, Pinkie wait!" Twilight yelled after her.

Tears welled up in her eyes.  "How could I do that to her.  After all we've been through thus far, how could I be so insensitive.  I'm worse than Rainbow Dash," she said to herself.

The tears fell quicker down her purple cheeks.  She felt as if nothing she could do would ever make up for the pain that she had caused.  She had single-hoofedly ruined any chance she would ever have of regaining her best friend's trust.  She sank to the floor and lowered her head, feeling the cold ground that would now be her home.

"I want to help Celestia," she sobbed.  "I want to help everypony and stop Discord, but what's the point of going on if I can't even save a frienship that I ruined?"  Her tears froze and shattered as they hit the ground.  Silence was her only companion now. It was going to be her only companion from now on.

"AAAAHHHHH!" came a scream from deep within the cave.

Twilight lept from her downward spiral of depression.  "PINKIE!" she yelled as she ran to the source of the blood chilling wail.

"HELP! HELP! SOMEPONY HELP ME!"

"I'm coming Pinkie!  Hold on!" Twilight screamed in response.  She ran as fast as her legs would take her.  All of her past worries and fears were gone.  The only thing that she thought of now was helping her friend.  The only thing she wanted was to help her friend.

Twilight found herself in a room bigger than what she thought this cave could hold.  The air was colder and wetter than what it was in the other chamber.   Steep cliffs and deep chasms littered the giant room.  Green moss hung from the crevices in the rocky walls.

"HELP! TWILIGHT! HELP ME!"

Twilight looked furiously for her little, pink friend.  She finally found Pinkie Pie huddled under a boulder the size of small house.  She ran over to her.

"Pinkie! I'm here!"

The boulder suddenly flew towards the purple pony.  She lept to the side right before it landed where she was standing just minuted before.  She lost her footing slid down to the edge of one of the cliffs.  She caught herself on the edge of the cliff.  She dangled above dark abyss that waited to gobble her up into nothingness.

Twilight looked up from her impeding doom and found something far worse than the darkness below.  Pinkie was cowering, frozen in fear of the beast that stood before her.  It was almost as tall as the entire chamber.  Drool fell smoothly from its massive jaw.  Razor-sharp teeth as tall as trees filled its mouth.  The chamber shook violently as it gave a powerful roar.  What Twilight saw was the worst thing she could possibly imagine, an Ursa Major.

"PINKIE! RUN!" Twilight shouted as she tried to climb up from the edge.  Each time she raised her hoof, rocks came loose from the wall and fell deep into the blackness.

The plea from Twilight shook Pinkie from her fear-induced stupor and she galloped to the nearest crevice she could find.  She lept inside just before the Ursa Major's powerful claw landed inches from where she was hiding.  It gave out another loud roar, shaking the room and almost knocking Twilight down in the process.

"AAAAHHH GET AWAY FROM ME YOU BIG MEANIE!!" Pinkie screamed at the gigantic monster.  The beast swat at the wall where the frightened pony hid.  Its ferocity increased with each savage hit.  The wall was beginning to give out.  The crack that Pinkie hid in grew larger and larger.  Giant rocks fell from the ceiling and hit the Ursa Major.  It paused for a brief moment to shake off the annoyance before resuming its onslaught on the weakening wall.

Twilight managed to finally get a hoofhold and climbed back up onto the ledge.  She watched in horror as the beast was getting closer and closer to her friend.

What do I do?! What do I do?! The question kept coming up in her mind.  She had no clue how to handle the Ursa Major.  Only the great Starswirl the Bearded ever defeated an Ursa Major, and Twilight didn't even come close to the skill he had.

The wall gave in and Pinkie Pie was at the mercy of the Ursa Major.  It lifted its massive claw to finish off the screaming pony.  Twilight was running out of time.

"TWILIGHT!!! HELP ME!!!" she screamed as the paw began to descend on her.

Twilight acted without hesitation.  She didn't have a plan or an idea on how to handle situation.  She merely had the burning desire to save her friend.  Her horn was surrounded by a purple aura as she used her magic to lift a boulder and fling it at the beast.  It struck the side of its head, and the Ursa Major turned with rage in its eyes' stopping itself from hurting Pinkie Pie in the process.

"HEY! Get away from her!" Twilight screamed. "Pinkie, RUN!"

The beast turned its attention away from the cowering Pinkie and focused on Twilight.  Its gaze pierced her like a thousand knives.  It gave another room-shaking roar and started towards Twilight.  Pinkie used this opportunity and ran for the exit across the room.  She paused and looked back at Twilight.  The beast was almost on top of her.  Pinkie didn't want to leave Twilight at the mercy of the Ursa Major.

I can't leave her alone with that meanie.

She turned and galloped towards the Ursa Major.  She bound up its massive back and dropkicked it in the snout.  She may have been afraid before, but now the only thing on her mind was saving Twilight.

Pinkie fell back down to the floor as if gravity had no effect on her.  The Ursa Major reeled back and gave an fierce roar.  It began swiping at everything it could reach with its massive arm.  It hit the walls, the ceiling, and itself at one point.  It regained its senses and beamed at the ponies with hatred so cold, that it could have frozen the sun.

"Pinkie, I don't think he's going to stop until we are dead.  You have to go.  Get out of here!"

"What about you Twilight?"

"Don't worry about me.  Just go."

"I don't want to.  Even if you think i'm annoying, I won't leave you.  It'll kill you."

It began to walk slowly towards the little ponies.  The Ursa Major took pleasure in the fact that these ponies had no where to go.  If they ran for the exit, it would just hunt them to the ends of Equestria.  It crept closer towards them.  They could smell the foul breath comig from the Ursa Major's fearsome mouth.

"I...said...GO!" screamed Twilight.  Her horn lit up in a purple blaze and Pinkie was sent hurtling through the exit.

"TWILIGHT...NOOOooooo!" yelled Pinkie Pie, her voice getting farther and farther away.

It was just Twilight and the Ursa Major now.  Every bone in Twi's body was telling her to run and don't look back.

I can't leave.  It will just hunt us down if I do.  With that storm outside, we have no where to go.  There's only one thing I can do.  I will probably die, but knowing Pinkie Pie will be safe makes it worth trying.

Her horn's purple aura grew brighter.  She could feel all her energy being drained in this single attempt to save her friend.  Numbness crept through her body, but she had to keep it up or it would be the end of both of them.

The chamber began to shake violently.  Boulders fell from the ceiling in massive waves.  The room screamed as the pillars that held up the roof began to crumble from the shear force of the young unicorn's spell.  The Ursa Major howled at the unforseen event.  It began to turn wildly as its bestial nature took charge.  The only thought that went through its head was the need to survive.  The shaking grew more intense with each passing second, and it knew it was running out of time.

"Just a...few more...seconds," said Twilight.

The Ursa Major took notice to the purple light coming from Twilight and fumbled over to her.  It was hard for it to keep its balance, especially when the floor was giving way as much as the ceiling was.  The floor under the Ursa Major began to crack and crumble down into the awaiting abyss.  It yowled in fear and made a final attempt at taking down the one causing all the chaos.  It lifted its massive arm and swept at Twiliight before the entire floor under it gave out completely.  It landed a fierce blow on the young unicorn and sent her flying towards the exit.  She felt bones crunch and she could barely breath.

The Ursa Major gave one final roar as it was engulfed by eternal blackness.  The room had become unstable.  The floor was caving in and the ceiling was falling.

I did it, she thought as exhasution and pain began to take its toll on her.  I defeated an Ursa Major.  Even better, I saved my friend.  I wish she would forgive me.

She felt the floor give way under her and gravity began to slowly pull her down into the pit.  She felt pressure on her neck and felt a sensation of flying.  She was being dragged out of the crumbling cave.

"It's okay Twilight.  I gotcha," said a familiar voice.  Twilight fought to stay conscious.  She felt the cool, yucky sensation of spoiled milk being dropped on her.  She realized she was outside of the cave and laying on a pillow of soft grass.

"Twilight! Stay with me!" said the voice.

She looked up and saw a pink pony trying to keep her alive.

"Pink...Pinkie Pie?" she said weakly.

"Yes Twilight, it's me.  Hold on...please," Twilight could see tears dripping from Pinkie's soft cheeks.

"Pinkie...I'm sorry," began Twilight battling the temptation of falling into a sleep she was sure she wouldn't wake up from.  "I'm sorry I...called you annoying.  You are my...my best friend and I could...could never live without you."

Twilight coughed and continued, "You bring chaos to my...my life.  I wouldn't laugh much without it, and my life would be...would be boring without you.  Can you forgive me?"

Pinkie smiled and said, "I'm sorry I doubted you.  You risked your life to save me.  You are the best friend that I could ever have."

A smile crept weakly on Twi's lips.  "Pinkie," she said.  "I...love you."

That was all she could take.  The pain from her broken ribs and the exhaustion from spending all her energy on that spell caused her to fall into a coma.  A single tear fell down her purple cheek.

"Twilight," Pinkie Pie said.  "Twilight, don't leave me.  Twilight! Wake up!"

Pinkie checked her friend's pulse.  It was weak, but it still meant she was alive.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! What do I do!" she said.  She helped out at the local hospital sometimes, but she only was allowed to make the children laugh.  She had no idea what to do to save her friend.  She did the only thing she could think of.

"SOMEPONY HELP! RAINBOW DASH!  APPLEJACK! HELP!" she screamed to the heavens.  The only reply she got was her own voice echoing through the forest.

Losing Time

Rainbow Dash and Crimson Dusk flew high into the sky.  Discord didn't manipulate anything above his massive, dark clouds, so the scene was generally peaceful.  The stars winked dimly in the pale black sky.  The moon gave off a gentle light, as if it was trying to ease the pain of the ponies below.  Below them, the clouds quacked and weird fire taffy shot up at them from time to time.  It was a step up from his usual chocolate milk raining candy clouds, but Discord did enjoy mixing it up from time to time.

Rainbow Dash knew that everypony was counting on them to stop Discord. They were, after all, the ponies that represented the spirits of harmony.  Although, Rainbow Dash tended to lose herself when she took flight.  She loved it when the wind rushed through her gorgeous mane.  It felt as if nothing else mattered and she could just fly forever.  She noticed her new friend was staying close to her.  This came as a shock to the cyan pegusus.  No pony could keep up with her, even when she flew at half the rate she was flying now.

I can't believe he can keep up with me, thought Rainbow Dash.  No pony could ever keep up with me except Pinkie Pie, and only because she can do the impossible whenever she wants.  This guy is...awesome!  I wonder if...No, no.  Keep it together Dash.  You can't have feelings for him.  I'm too cool for that.  I don't even know the guy and he could be a total weenie.  But still....  Rainbow Dash was lost in thought.  Her heart battled her ego for dominance on the idea that she could possibly fall for a pony like Crimson Dusk.

Crimson Dusk noticed the looks that he was getting from Rainbow Dash.  He felt his cheeks grow warmer and warmer every time her lustrous eyes looked him over with curiousity.  He only felt this way once, and that was when he was in love with Countess Mirage.

Why is she looking at me like that?  It's kind of disturbing. Yet...I don't mind it.  I do like her spirit and that mane is quite colorful, he pondered.  No! I don't trust her.  She is just one of those selfish ponies.  I don't care how beautiful she looks in the moonlight.  She is probably as heartless as Countess Mirage was.

"Ah! This is boring!" said Dusk trying to break his train of thought.  "You fly way to slow for my taste."

"What are you talking about?" she replied a little irked.  "I can fly faster than this and I can definitly fly faster than you.

A puff of smoke left his nostrils as he snorted challengingly .  "I bet you could out fly anything with those tiny wings," he countered sarcastically.  "I think I saw flys that you could beat somewhere around here."

"Care to dare me Crimson Dork?" she said.

"Bring it.  It has been a long time since I beat somepony in a challenge.  Race you to that tree," he said pointing his hoof in the direction of a far off maple.

"Alright then.  Get ready to eat my...."

"HELP! HELP! SOMEPONY! ANYPONY! HELP!" came screams from the clearing below.

"That sounds like Pinkie Pie," said Rainbow Dash losing her competitive edge.

"Why are you talking about a pie?" asked Crimson Dusk quizzically.

"No, you blockhead!" she said annoyed.  "Pinkie Pie is my friend, and I think she's in trouble.  Come on."

She twisted and started nose diving down to the source of the paniced shrieks.  Crimson did the same, producing a marvelous streak of red from behind as if dusk was upon them in the dead of night.  Rainbow Dash couldn't help but notice the magnificant sight.  It was one of the most awesome things she has ever seen, but marvaling at it would have to wait.  She had to focus on the task at hand.

They landed in a small clearing surrounded by orange orchids.  The repulsive rain stopped falling and the clouds started to clear up.  The moon bathed the clearing in a warm glow that ignited the orchids in a dazzling display of beauty.

"Rainbow Dash!" said Pinkie Pie relieved.  "I'm so glad you're here!  Twilight is hurt!"

Rainbow's gaze fell upon her purple friend.  Her breaths were short and raspy.  She had lost some color and her mane was unkempt.  "What happened?" said Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie looked up and said, "She saved me from a mean old Ursa Major.  You should've seen her.  She was very brave."  Tears began to streak down her cheeks.  From the redness of her eyes, Dash could tell she's been crying a lot.

Rainbow's eyes widened.  "She beat an Ursa Major.  I thought that was impossible."

"She did, but the meanie head hit her really hard and she slammed into a stone wall.  She's been like this for awhile," Pinkie stated grimly.

Dash could feel the tears beginning to form in her eyes.  Crimson took note of how she felt and walked over to the dieing unicorn.  Pinkie moved over to Dash's side as Crimson began his examination. He placed his head over her chest to hear her heartbeat.  It was slow, but still there.  He proded her ribs gently and checked her legs carefully.

"Who's that?" whispered Pinkie gesturing at the crimson stallion.

"His name is Crimson Dusk.  He saved by life," replied Dash.

"He's kinda cute?  Do you like him?" asked Pinkie Pie with a smirk on her pale pink face.

"No!  No I don't!  Why would you ask that?" said a frantic Dash.

Pinkie giggled a litte and stated, "Don't worry, I won't tell."

"Tell what?  There's nothing to tell!" countered Rainbow Dash.

"Whatever you say Dashie," Pinkie said still giggling at her embarassed friend.  Rainbow Dash just blushed.

Crimson Dusk finished and looked at the ponies glumly.  "She has three broken ribs and I believe one has punctured her lung.  I don't know how long she has left, but she doesn't have long.  I'm guessing the crown on her head is her element of harmony.  It is keeping her alive, but even they do not have the power to stop death.  We have to act fast, or she might not make it through the night."

"Why don't you just slap some of that rank green gunk on her chest like you did for my wing?" asked Dash.

"I could, but it only heals bones.  It won't do anything for her lung and that is what needs to be taken care of," he said.  "Although, I do know of a local herb that would be able to seal it.  Unfortunatly, it's located deeper in the forest and only grows in the most treacherous terrain.  It will take me some time to retrieve alone and I...."

"I'll go with you," Dash interrupted.

"Why would you risk your life for this unicorn?" Crimson asked with a confused look on her face.  "It's very dangerous and you would get nothing out of it?"

"She's my friend!" Dash exclaimed with rage entering her voice.  "I would do anything for my friends, and they would do anything for me!"

Crimson Dusk just stared at her with astonishment.  I've never heard of this.  Ponies helping other ponies without wanting something in return.  What is wrong with her, or is there something wrong with me?  Am I the one that has been wrong all these years? He thought as he looked into Dash's fierce eyes.

"Fine, you can come.  Just don't get in my way," he finally said.

"I won't as long as you don't get in mine." she replied more determined than anything to save Twilight.

Crimson Dusk produced a phial of green liquid and some bandages from his worn saddlebag.   He carefully placed the medicinal items beside the mortally wounded Twilight Sparkle.  "Pinkie Pie, you have to rub this on her ribs and wrap her chest with these bandages.  I don't know how close they are to completely breaking off and it would be very bad if her other lung got puncutred.  With that in mind, don't put too much pressure on her chest.  Also, make sure to clean off the medicine in about two hours and replace the bandages.  If you don't, all the flesh on her chest will rot off.  Do you understand me?"

Pinkie nodded her head and got straight to work treating her friend.  Crimson and Dash nodded to each other and took to the air.  They began to fly deeper into the menacing forest.

"In about 5 miles, we will have to land and continue on foot.  The forest will get too dense for us to see the ground, and there's no telling what will be waiting for us if we try to land," said Dusk.  Dash nodded her head, acknowledging what he said.  Her eyes showed Dash's determination to save her friend, and Crimson started to respect the little pegasus.

Crimson's thoughts started to race about this majestic cyan pony.  She is different than any other pony I have ever met.  Her spirit and determination reminds me of me when I was a little filly.  She is also more beautiful than Countess Mirage ever was.  She is just...amazing!   I wonder if she thinks the same about me....  His thoughts trailed off as they flew faster into the area.  The wind was flowing through his glorious mane.  He relished in the pain that went through his wings.  It has been a long time since he had to fly this fast, and he loved it.  At this moment, he felt more alive than he ever had before.

Discord's Fun

Discord was taking pleasure in his victory.  He enjoyed watching the chaos that he created.  He especially enjoyed it when he knew he couldn't be stopped.  After all, he had taken care of the pesky elements of harmony and the princesses all in one night.  Doubt planned to spend his time laying in a warm spot by a fire.  Distrust was satisfied laying right beside her master.  The room was in many forms of disarray.  The food that once danced playfully were now fighting each other.  The tiles were shifting different colors every second.  The paintings shifted into irregular shapes and sizes.  The tables began hurling pies at the ponies Discord kept as his prisoners.  It was a mess.

"Oh what fun this is!  Wouldn't you agree Celestia?" Discord asked the lifeless statue.  "What's wrong?  Don't you like watching your subjects try and regain their balance as pies hit their faces?  Your right.  It is getting rather boring watching this.  Time for some new fun."

He snapped his talons and all the ponies in the room froze in place.  Their eyes darting back and forth looking for a miracle to save them, but only recieved more pie.  Among the nobles of Equestria were Shining Armor, Cadence, and the Wonderbolts.  They were at the mercy of their demented captor.

"Come here and fight us!" exclaimed Shining Armor before a pie hit his face.  "Bring back my sister, Twilight!"

This caught Discord's attention.  He disappeared in a cloud of smoke and reappeared beside the brave stallion.  "Did I hear you right?  Are you Twilight Sparkle's brother?"  he said with a sneer.  "I think I'm going to have fun with you for awhile."

Discord snapped his talons and Shining Armor rose from the ground.  His legs were chained to the ground by fluffy cats and dogs.  The fighting food stopped and turned towards the bound pony.  They began hurling themselves at him.  Tomatos splattered against his face.  Fish slapped him across his jaw and flank.  A fully cooked chicken jumped and landed right on Shining Armor's horn, making him look ridiculous.  Discord laughed at the humiliation of the captain of the royal guard.

Cadence, who was fighting to save her love began to plead with the mischivous spirit of disharmony.  "Please, stop doing that to my husband.  I'm begging you."  Tears were rolling down her cheeks; she couldn't take watching her love being used as an outlet for Discord's vengence.

"Oh my dear," he replied, "why would I ever stop this.  It's just too funny to even consider stopping."

Her kind spirit was quickly replaced with one of rage and hate.  She had had enough of this evil monster.  She began to concentrate her power.  Her horn was surrounded by a pink aura, as her magic began to flow out towards the food in the form of a heart.  Her love magic stopped the food from hitting her beloved.  Instead, they began to hug and kiss him.  This wasn't what she wanted to happen.  The spectacle only made Discord laugh even harder.

"That is even better than what I was doing to him," he chortled angrily.  "You really out did me, and I hate it when ponies out do me.  If you love each other so much, you should never be seperated.  That would be a crime that even I can't be forgiven for."

Discord made a slight gesture, and Caeance and Shining Armor began to move towards each other.  The mysterious force that was attracting them toward each other grew stronger the closer they got.  They eventually met and a bright light shot out from where they were.  The other ponies could only watch in horror as both of their beings were intertwined into one pony.  When it was finished, the pony was split right down the middle.  One side was determined Shining Armor and the other was the loving Princess Cadence.  Discord cackled in amusement at his new creation.

"Well there you go," he said.  "Now you two will never be apart again."

"You may be playing with us now, but soon Twilight and her friends will stop you," they said conjoinedly.

This infuriated Discord.  "Come now," he began,  "I have beaten them.  Actually, they beat themselves.  Their innermost doubts and thoughts about one another was their downfall.  I have won, and you can't change that."

"Prove that you won," demanded the freaky creation.

"Fine, If I must," Discord said.  He burped out a bubble and began to scry the ponies.  He came to the sight of Twilight and Pinkie in the clearing.

"Stay with me Twilight," pleaded Pinkie as she changed the bandages.  "I won't let you die.  What kind of friend would I be if I did?  Twilight please stay with me."

This took Discord by surprise.  "How could she be helping Twilight?  She is supposed to hate Twilight."

Shining Cadence, or Princess Armor, began to laugh at Discord's distress.

"Shut up you freak!" he commanded as he snapped his talons.  A zipper appeared on their mouth and zipped it shut.

"Okay.  That may have been unforseen, but the cocky rainbow one must be suffering.  After all, she was left alone in the middle of nowhere.  I also took the liberty of making sure her wing broke before she hit the ground," said Discord confidently.

He began to scry Rainbow Dash.  He saw her and her crimson companion flying through the air.  This made Discord scream.  "How did she find him?  I thought I took care of him a long time ago.  This is UNACCEPTABLE!"  He began to scry the others, and found relief that they were still confused about how they felt towards one another.

"That's better, but I can't let them make nice with each other.  I'm going to have to take care of them," said Discord menacingly.  "I've got it!  Doubt!  Distrust! Come here now!"

Doubt uncoiled himself and slithered over to his master.  Distrust got up and gracefully shook herself from her daze.  "I want you two to take care of these little ponies," said Discord pointing to his bubble.  "Make them destroy each other before their friends find them.  If they become friends again, you will have to get creative."

They nodded in compliance.  Discord formed a magic bubble around them.  It levitated them off the ground and propelled them towards the forest.  He laughed as he popped his bubble and watched it explode in a firework's display.  Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy have no idea what kind of trouble is making its way towards them, *he thought to himself as he continued to play with his guests.*

Untold Truths

During the storm, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy found shelter inside a hollow tree.  It was irreguraly large enough to hold at least seven or eight more ponies, but they enjoyed the extra space.  It gave the three room to spread out and rest comfortably on the soft soil.  They waited patiently for the storm to end.

The wind had finally ceased its rampage.  The cruel storm Discord had plagued the ponies with had broken. Unfortunatly, Rarity and Applejack still felt like their whole friendship was a complete waste of time.  The hollow tree that they found shelter in felt more like a prison that kept them together with their insecurities.  They couldn't look each other in the eye.  Fluttershy could only watch as two of her best friends grew more distant from each other.  It broke her heart and she wished she could help.

"I reckon that since the storm is gone, we could start lookin for the others in the morning," said Applejack.

"That sounds wonderful," replied Fluttershy still feeling glum.

Rarity just looked at the floor lost in thought.  She loved Applejack, yet her heart was weighed down with doubts about their entire friendship.  She wanted to be friends, but she couldn't help but feel it would only end up fruitless.

"Rarity...are you okay...if you don't mind me asking?" asked a concerned Fluttershy.

Rarity jumped the sound of her gentle voice.  She had completely forgotten that she wasn't alone.

"Oh...well...I am quite alright," she answered unconvincingly.

Applejack caught how she felt and walked over to the other side of the tree.  She laid down on the soft floor.  A single tear fell down her cheek in a somber fashion.

I can't believe a slippery varmint ruined a good friendship.  How can I fix this? she thought.

You can't.  It is gone and you should forget about that stuck up pony, came a small voice.

Applejack's ears perked up and her alerted eyes darted back and forth.  She knew she heard a voice, but couldn't figure out where it came from.

You know she always loathed you.  Your sloppiness and country accent always annoyed her.  You are nothing but a useless thing that she uses to amuse herself.

Applejack listened intently to what the voice was saying.  Worse, she was starting to believe it.

She does complain about my down home ways.  Why does she have ta be so snooty?  Applejack thought.  She shuffled uneasily.  Rarity took notice and became concerned.

"Are you okay darling?" Rarity asked Applejack.

"I'm fine you snooty princess," was her response.  Rarity and Fluttershy were shocked at the response that they got.

"Why did you call Rarity that aweful name?" Fluttershy asked fearful of where this was going.

"Cause it's the truth.  She is a snooty pony.  I can't stand her."

Rarity began to cry as she felt her heart shatter.  "Why?  Whatever did I do to you?" she said with a shakey voice.

SSShhe hatesss you.  SSShe isss jealousss that you are so much classssier than her, said a disembodied voice.  Rarity looked around trying to find the source of the voice.  She found nothing, but she couldn't help but believe what the voice said was the truth.

"Well I never," Rarity said.  "I'm sorry that you feel threatened by my sophisticated ways, but that's no excuse to be rude."

"I ain't threatened by anything of yours.  Your just full of yourself," replied Applejack.

See what I mean dear Applejack.  She is so agravating.  You should do something to deflate her ego.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Rarity.  "Do I have something in my mane?"

"You're gonna have my hoof in your face, you sorry excuse of a friend!" exclaimed Applejack as she lunged at Rarity from her prone position.

Rarity was at a loss for words.  She couldn't move, nor could she believe what was going to happen.  Her best friend was about to crush her.  Rarity could hold her own in a fight, but she mostly got away with being clever.  Besides, only Rainbow Dash could ever beat Applejack in a fight.  Rarity didn't have a chance.

I'm not goint to let this happen, thought Fluttershy as she ran to intercept Applejack.

She shut her eyes, awaiting the  imminent blow.  She felt a breeze pass over her.  "Ahh," somepony said within the tree.  When she opened her eyes, she saw Fluttershy on the ground in front of her.  Applejack was shocked at what just occured and just stood there motionless.

"I'm sorry sugarcube.  I didn't mean to hit ya," said Applejack frantically.  "I was trying to hit that persnickety princess over there."

"How dare you hit my friend you ruffian!" exclaimed Rarity as she lunged at Applejack.  You could feel the rage that radiated off the unicorn as she got closer to the bully she once called her friend.  Fluttershy lept in front of her and stopped Rarity dead in her tracks.

"That's enough!" Fluttershy said strangely louder than usual.  "You two are best friends.  You shouldn't be treating each other like that."

Don't listen to her, came a whisper from the dark.

Sssshee'ssss lieing.  Teach her a lessssson. came another.

"You two are different in may ways, and that's why I admire your friendship," continued Fluttershy.  "You both have always had each other's back.  Rarity, you got dirty to help Applejack remove a tree from Twilight's house.  Applejack, you dressed up in Rarity's designs on many occasions.  What changed between you two?  Where did your faith in each other go?"

Applejack and Rarity looked at each other.  Both of their cheeks reddened with embarassment.  It got akwardly quiet as they gazed at each other.

I don't know what came over me.  How can I call her mah friend if I just tried to hit her.  This friendship is a waste, thought Applejack.

This has gone on long enough, thought Rarity as she extended her hoof towards her country friend.  Applejack just stared at it with confusion.

"I apoligize for my rude behavior.  Fluttershy is right.  We have been acting like little fillies.  We have been friends for years, and it was wrong of me to think of you like that.  I wish with all my heart that it could all be taken back.  Can we continue to be friends and put this behind us?" pleaded Rarity desperately.

Applejack was torn inside, as if some being ripped her heart in two.  She couldn't decide if this is what she wanted, or still believed it was a waste to try and be friends.

It is just a trick.  Don't do it, came the whispers again.  They seemed more uncertain than before, but they were still ever present.

Ssstop before you do sssomething ssstupid.  Remember, sssshe is not your friend.

Rarity's hoof was stil outstretched.  Her eyes were watching Applejack's every move.  Applejack gazed into them for a brief second.  Inside her shining eyes was the determination that only Rarity was known for.  She truly believed that they could go back to normal.  Applejack's eyes shifted as the whispers continued to attack her with their barrage of doubt.

She will only break your heart.  Take her down before she takes you down.

You are too smart to fall for her liessss again.  Lissten to reassson.  Dessstroy her.

Applejack's hoof began to rise from the ground.  It shook as if a small earthquake was happening on her hoof.  It inched closer towards Rarity's.  Fluttershy could only watch and hope that what she said hammered some sense into the country pony's doubtful mind.  Applejack's hoof almost met Rarity's, then Applejack pulled it back.

Rarity's face didn't change as she spoke.  "I am also sorry for how I thought about you.  I sometimes do think your a bit messy.  Although, I kind of respect it.  It means your not afraid to get your hooves dirty to get a job done...unlike me.  I also find your accent entralling.  It is one of your best qualities that I hope never changes.  I have been a terrible friend, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. "

Applejack looked into Rarity's eyes once more before diving into her.  Rarity was put into a state of shock and Fluttershy lept back at the sudden movement.  Applejack embraced Rarity in a tight hug, too afraid to let go.  The embrace felt warm and comforting.  Neither of them wanted to let go of each other.

When it was over, Rarity looked at her friend with a mix of astonishment and confusion.  "Applejack," she said.  Why did you do that?"

The tears didn't stop rolling down her cheeks.  Applejack said with a quivering voice, "I have always loved you like a sister.  I felt  that I could always count on ya for anythin.  When that snake told me what ya thought of me, I felt like my heart split right in two.  I didn't know how to go on."  She paused for a breath.  The cascade of tears only fell faster down her gentle cheeks.

"Then you gave me that speech and the look in your eyes made me feel like...like we can still be friends. Please don't stop bein mah friend.  I don't want to lose ya.  I...love ya," Applejack finished as she looked towards the ground.

Rarity placed her hoof on her friend's shoulder and spoke with a gentle tone.  "Applejack...look at me."  Applejack did what she was told and felt the white unicorn's hoof wipe away her tears.  Applejack froze for a second, then excepted the sweet gesture.  She gazed into Rarity's eyes intently.

"I have felt the same way about you since we met," she said as tears began to form in her eyes.  "I do not want to lose your friendship.  It means more to me than next year's fashion line."  Applejack took that statement as a compliment.  Rarity only put her greatest possessions in front of fashion, and Applejack was glad she was one of them.

They just embraced each other after that.  They both cried tears of joy as the specters of their fears and doubts faded away.  Fluttershy just blushed after wittnessing the whole experiance, but felt happy for her two friends.

"My my.  What a heartfelt moment," came the voice.  All the ponies turned to see Doubt and Distrust walking out of the shadows of the forest into their temporary home.  "It is just a shame that we have to cut it short."

"If you won't dessstroy each other, then we will jussst have to do it oursselves," said Doubt.  His fangs glinted with malice and dripped venom.  Distrust erupted into a blaze.  Her entire body was outlined in a fire as bright as the sun.  She began to run around the hollow tree, causing it to catch fire and burn.  The three ponies huddled in a corner as Doubt made his way towards them with his fangs ready to strike.  His eyes burned with hate as he successfully cornered them at the end opposite the entrance.

"How did ya get a wet tree to burn you stinkin varmint?" Applejack asked still wary of the fiendish serpant and his venom-dripping fangs.

"Magic flames burn no matter the situation.  Aren't they just beautiful," was her response.  "Doubt, the job is done.  We have to get out of here."

Doubt and Distrust retreated outside of the burning tree.  They sat on the cool grass just a few feet from the tree, and watched their work with sadistic pleasure.  The tree would soon be completely engulfed in flames, and the ponies would burn with it.

"Rarity,"  Applejack said as sweat and tears fell from her face, "if this is the end, I'm glad I'm with you."

"The feeling is mutual my friend," she replied as they embraced each other.

Fluttershy joined them in the embrace and said, "You are the best.  I'm glad your my friends.  I'm just sorry it's going to end like this."

The fire crackled menacingly as it continued to consume their once safe haven.  Their hope that everything would be alright diminished as the fire quickly climbed farther up the tree.

Fighting Fire

"Hey Dusk, what's that?" Dash said pointing towards a tower of black smoke.

"I don't know, but it doesn't look good," was his reply.  "We should check it out."

They made their descent towards the ground.  After landing, they made their way towards the source of the smoke.  The hysterical animals of the forest ran past them in a fear driven frenzy.  When the two ponies found the source of the thick blackness, they were awestruck.  They stared at the marvelous site of a burning oak tree.  The flames coiled around the trunk as if it was a live viper.  The leaves on the claw like limbs shriveled and burned from the intense heat of the fire.  Rainbow Dash and Crimson Dusk just stared in awe at the buring oak tree.

As Rainbow Dash watched the show, her eyes caught something moving inside the tree.  She began to focus intently on the group of shadows that took refuge within the inferno.  She made out three figures huddling together inside the tree.  Her eyes widened with terror at the realization of what she saw.

"Dusk! There are ponies inside that tree!" she yelled.

Dusk squinted back at the tree to confirm Rainbow Dash's fears.  He turned back at her and nodded his head.  "We have to save them," he told the cyan pony.  "I can create a shield around them to protect them from the flames.  I'll see if I can levitate them outta there too, but I need to concentrate."  He threw off his hat to reveal a long crimson horn.  He closed his eyes and focused his energy.  The horn on his head began to glow  a fierce crimson as he used his magic.

A red bubble formed around the ponies that were caught in the fiery death trap.  Crimson's breathing grew heavier as he concentrated on lifting the bubble.  It rose a few inches off the ground, and he began to move it towards the entrance.

"Unacceptable dear," someone said seconds before Dusk was thrown off his feet.  The bubble fell to the ground, but the shield still held for the moment.

"Dusk!" Dash said in alarm.  She ran over to where he laid.  She placed her hoof on his head.  She took notice to the burn on his side.  "Are you okay?" she asked concerned.

He turned and looked at her.  "I'm fi... LOOK OUT!" he exclaimed as he pushed Dash onto her side.  A green blur sailed just inches away from where she was standing just moments before.  It landed somewhere in the foliage that surrounded the burning tree.  Crimson began to stand, flinching at the pain from his side.

"What was that?" Dash asked as she got up.

"I don't know, but we have to help those ponies," said Crimson Dusk.  "I don't know how long the shield will last against the fire."

Rainbow nodded and started looking around for the assailants.  Dusk resumed trying to lift the shielded ponies out of the blaze.  His horn began to glow crimson again as he focused on trying to levitate the bubble once more.

Dash saw a red blur rocket out of the bush behind Dusk.  As fast as lightening, she jumped in between it and her friend.  She turned and let loose a heavy kick that grazed Distrust on the side of her body.

"Ahh,' she cried at the burning pain that emanated from her back hooves.

The assailant rolled over in the grass; stopping a few feet short of the tree line.  The small fox slowly got back on her paws and angrily stared at Dash.  "You'll pay for that," threatened Distrust as she lit up in a blaze of fire.

Dash's eyes widened at the frightening foe.  I've never seen anything like this she thought questioning her own eyes.  Her thoughts were quickly disrupted by the blazing fox as she sprinted towards Rainbow Dash.  Dash's body tensed to prepare for the blow.  Distrust ran towards Dash, but turned suddenly and started towards Dusk (who was still trying to save the three ponies.)  Dash turned, and was met by a green blur whizzing past her ear.

It stopped directly behind her.  The long snake's fangs glinted evilly in the soft moonlight.  Doubt stared maliciously into her eyes.  "Ssssay good night my little pony," he said lunging at her again.  Dash quickly rolled to the side barely avoiding his attack.

"Hey Dusk," she said.  "Can ya give me a hand with this creep?"

"Kinda busy here," he replied.  Distrust had quickly thrown off his concentration with her barrage of strikes.  The ponies were still inside the burning tree, and time was running out.  Limbs started to crack and fall off the tree, and the ever hungry flames ate away at the blackening trunk.

Distrust leapt towards the crimson alicorn.  Dusk was ducking and dodging the best he could.  He couldn't risk using his magic for fear that the shield would falter and doom the ponies within.  His gaze fell upon Dash as she desperatly tried to keep the evil serpent at bay.

This is getting us nowhere, Dusk thought as he avoided another blow from the blazing fox.

"You are so clever," she said cynically.  "Did you just figure that out."

"How did you..." started Dusk before having to avoid another blow.

"I can read your mind dear, and your heart.  I'm glad you have feelings for that pegusus over there.  It's such a shame she is just using you to save her friends."

"You have feelings for...AH!  Get away you dumb snake," said Dash trying to hit the slippery serpent.

"He doesssss have feelingsss for you.  SSSooo do you from what I can sssssee," added Doubt.  Do you really think it can work out between a pegussusss and an alicorn? You're wassting your time."

Dash paused and blushed at what Doubt was saying.  He took advantage of her moment of embarrassment and attacked once more.  Dash was caught off-guard by his surprise attack.  They both rolled in the grass as Doubt collided with Rainbow Dash.  Dash caught Doubt in between her two front hooves, but that didn't stop Doubt.  He lunged at her with his venom dripping fangs.  She moved her head out of the way, barely able to out maneuver the snake.  He recovered quickly and resumed his barrage as he coiled his body around Dash's legs.

Dash knew she was finished.  The snake had immobilized her, and she was starting to feel fatigued.  "Dusk...HELP!" she pleaded with the last of her waning strength.  Dusk juked out Distrust, and sprinted over to her position.  Distrust quickly caught up to the alicorn and blocked his path.

"Come now," she said slyly.  "She is just using you.  Just walk away and let them die.  It's that easy."

Dusk looked back at the tree, then at Dash.  She caught his gaze as she avoided another attempted blow.  Her eyes glistened with terror.  "Please Dusk," she said.  "I know you'll do the right thing."  Her hooves went limp, releasing Doubt in the process.  He sneered as he prepared to give the final blow.  At that moment, Dusk knew what he had to do.

Dusk let out a fierce yell as he charged at Distrust.  She tensed her body, but got caught off guard by his maneuver.  He lept over the burning fox and sprinted hard to Dash.  Doubt began his final descent towards his defenseless prey.  He felt his fangs sink deeply into her flesh, and he smiled.  He opened his eyes, and his expression changed to horror.  He hadn't bitten Dash; he had bitten Dusk's hoof.

Doubt looked dumbfounded at the alicorn.  "Alicorns are immune to toxins," he said brashly

"Not possssible," he said before Dusk picked him up with his mouth.  Crimson Dusk threw Doubt on the ground, and stomped on him repeatedly and fiercely.

"Get away from my brother!," exclaimed Distrust as she ran towards her helpless sibling.

Dash recovered from her ordeal, and blocked Distrust's path.  Dusk picked Doubt up one last time.  Dusk used all his strength to throw him into the burning tree.  The scream the snake gave out was unnatural as his body was eaten away almost instantly at by the magical flames.

"Brother!" exclaimed Distrust.  Her moment of horror was all Rainbow Dash needed.  She ran at the fox, who's fire dimmed due to her lack of focus, and kicked her in the side of the head.  Distrust went flying across the clearing and landed motionless some feet away from where she was standing.

"Dusk!  Save the ponies!" Dash ordered

"On it," he said as his horn began to glow again.  He felt the bubble begin to rise once more.  His breathing became heavy as he hurriedly propelled the shielded ponies out of the tree, just moments before it caved in on itself.  He placed it far away from the still burning remains.  He let the shield spell break.  The three ponies it protected fell to the ground, all three unconscious.

"Applejack? Rarity?  Fluttershy?" said Dash as she walked over to their immobile bodies.  Her heart pounded as she stood over Applejack.  Dash began to slap Applejack in the face.  "Wake up!" she exclaimed.

Applejack jolted upright.  "Huh?  What happened," she said groggily.  "Dash what's goin...." She regained her senses and quickly began to look around.  "Where's Rarity and Fluttershy?"

"Uh...right there," said Dash pointing at the shifting ponies.

"Friends of yours Dash?" asked Crimson Dusk, while taking notice to the jewelry that hung around their necks.  "You have elements too?"

"Yes, we do," replied Rarity as she help the still dazed Fluttershy stand up.

"Why didn't you just use them to save yourselves?" he asked quizzically.

"We can do that?" replied Applejack.

"You...have no idea how to use them do you?" Dusk said disappointedly.

"Give us a break," said Dash.  "We only used them like three times."

Dusk looked down at the ground and chortled.  He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye.  "Dash, I want you to  go on ahead and bring them up to speed on Twilight's condition."

Dash nodded and led her friends away from Dusk.  She turned towards him with a confused look in her magenta eyes.  "Were what those creeps said the truth?  Do you have feelings for me?" she asked.

Dusk looked down in embarrassment.  "We'll talk about it when this is over," was his only reply.  "Now go."

She ran to catch up with her friends.  Dusk turned to look at the recovering fox.  He trotted over to where she was trying to get up.  He kicked her back down to the soft ground. Her hate filled eyes met his.

"Do you know who I am," Dusk asked his injured foe.

"Yes," she coughed weakly.  "You're the idiot that killed my brother."

Dusk lowered his voice to a more threatening tone.  "Think back about two hundred years ago.  You know, when you helped kill my friend.

She thought for a moment, and her eyes widened at the realization of who she was talking too.  "It can't be.  Your supposed to be gone forever," she said unable to hide the fear in her voice.

"Time for some payback," he said as he rose onto his hind legs.

"No! Stop!" she begged.  "We were only following...."  She never got to finish that sentence.  Dusk stomped down hard onto her head.  Her skull cracked open with a wet crunch.  Her body jolted for a brief second before it laid still forever.  Dusk rubbed the blood off his hooves as he stared into the smoldering remains of the oak tree.

"That was for you Apple Orchard," he said solemnly as he picked up his hat.  He stared affectionately at the worn, brown Stetson.  Tears fell from his crimson eyes.  He placed it carefully back on his head, slanting it slightly to the right like his friend used to do.  He examined his wounds.  They'll be fine, thought Dusk as he turned and briskly trotted after his comrades.

Forest of Miracles

The tears never stopped running down the pink ponies cheeks.  Pinkie Pie had been watching Twilight for hours.  She took note of every subtle change of Twilight's condition.   "I'm not leaving you," she whispered softly.  "Just please hold on.  You're going to make it." Twilight was lying peacefully on her side.  Her chest slowly rose and fell with each attempted breath. Pinkie gently brushed a loose hair off Twi's face.  She checked Twilight's ribs carefully, and noticed they weren't broken.  The change gave Pinkie hope.

Pinkie looked up at the moon.  Its light bathed the clearing in a soft glow.  The stars dimly winked in the dark sky.  Orange orchids rose high from the ground with green moths that fluttered freely from one to the other.  "I wish you could see this," Pinkie said quietly.  "It's so beautiful."  Pinkie laid down closler to Twilight's side.  "When you get through this, I promise to throw you the biggest party ever."

The serene silence was broken by the sound of hooves thumping off dirt.  Pinkie leapt to her hooves, ready to defend her friend from any enemy that wished to do her harm.  She spotted a cloud of dust advancing on her position.  Her body tensed in fear, but quickly relaxed after realizing what was causing the commotion.  "HEY!" she screamed with joy.

The band of ponies galloped faster with the determination to beat time.  Their legs ached from the extra exertion they put on them.  Sweat glistened off of their soft coats.  The dust they kicked up flew into their eyes, but they didn't let that stop them.  They didn't stop until the reached their pink friend.  They greedily gulped in the air trying to regain their breath.

"How is she," Dash gasped.  Even she was out of breath.  Never in all her life had she had to gallop that fast.

"Her ribs healed up, but her she's still out cold.  I think her breathing slowed down a bit," responded Pinkie Pie.

Dusk hurriedly trotted over to the unconscious unicorn.  He pulled out the flower from his saddlebag and tore the delicate petals off.  He reached down and placed then gently onto her tongue.  They magically dissolved the minute they hit her mouth.  The ponies gathered around her and waited patiently; Twilight's shallow rasping being the only sound in the quiet forest..  One minute passed...then two...then five, and still no sign of recovery.

"Why isn't that confounded flower workin?" Applejack said angrily.

"I don't know," replied Dusk.  "It's supposed to heal her almost instantly."

"I think yer full of it," Applejack said to the confused alicorn.

She lashed out fiercely with her hoof.  It caught him across the jaw, staggering him back a few inches.  Dash quickly jumped between her new found lover and her country friend.  "Cut it out!" she ordered.  "We all are worried bout Twilight, but that's no reason to turn on each other."  Applejack just stared at the alicorn.  Her eyes showed a rage that could strike fear in a dragon.

Rarity gracefulyl trotted over and placed her hoof affectionately over the orange pony's shoulder.  At first, Applejack resisted the touch.  She soon gave in to the comforting gesture.  "Please  calm down Applejack," she pleaded. "We certainly wouldn't want Twilight to wake up to us fighting, would we?"  Her glistening eyes stared deeply into Applejack's fierce gaze.  Applejack felt her heart flutter, then reluctantly stood down.

Suddenly, Twilight began to groan.  The six ponies turned, only to witness a terrible sight.  Twilight began to convulse uncontrollably.  Her body twitched and contorted into unnatural positions.  Her groaning changed into moans of agony.  This lasted for mere seconds, before she laid still once more.  Her chest stopped moving.

Dusk placed his hoof on the base of her neck.  He couldn't find a single sign of life in the pony.  He turned and glumly stated, "She's gone."  The others gasped in disbelief.  Rainbow Dash hid her face behind her wing, not wanting the others to see her cry.  Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie embraced each other tightly.  Rarity was still holding Applejack close.

Applejack threw off Rarity's hoof and charged at Crimson Dusk.  She tackled him and they both fell down hard.  Crimson's head bashed off a stray rock, leaving him momentarily dazed.  Applejack jumped on top of him and proceeded to beat him senseless.  Rainbow Dash, after getting over the brief shock of the ordeal, pushed Applejack off the alicorn.

Applejack shakily rose from the ground.  Tears streamed down her face, as she charged again.  Rainbow Dash caught her and, with the help of Rarity, subdued the country pony.  She bucked and kicked trying to shake off the iron grasp the others held her in.  After minutes of struggling, she gave up.  She looked up at the Dusk with hate filled eyes.  "You said it would help her." she said.  "You said it would SAVE HER!  We risked our lives to get that stupid flower, and for what?  To see our friend suffer a bit before she died.  You're nothin but a good for nothin pony."  Applejack paused a brief moment before screaming, "I HATE YOU!"

The shock on everypony's face was visible.  They never heard her friend say that to anypony, not even Discord.  Dusk just stared back in disbelief.  His eyes glistened with held back tears, never leaving Applejacks.  He slowly switched his gaze between each pony, stopping with Rainbow Dash.  He lowered his head and sadly said, "I...I'm sorry.  I didn't...."

"You're sorry," Applejack interrupted.  "Sorry doesn't bring our friend back.  Why don't you just turn around and go away...FOREVER!"  The rage didn't subside from Applejacks demands, nor did the sorrow.

The tears broke loose from Dusk's eyes, as if a great dam had burst open.  He rose his head and screamed at the sky, "Why do I always let everypony I care about down! I couldn't save my friend!  I couldn't save Twilight!  I'm useless!"  He unfolded his massive wings and took flight into the dark night.  His screams of torment resounded through the forest, as his form slowly faded away.

Dash just stared off in the direction he left in.  She felt torn between going out to comfort him, or staying to comfort her friends.  Looking at everyponys' condition, she decided her place was right where she was.  She nuzzled Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.  I hate sappy moments, she thought, but we all just lost a friend.  This is just awful.

Applejack seemed to be taking it harder than everypony else.  Her rage was replaced with a deep depression.  She whimpered softly in the night.  Rarity wrapped her in a warm embrace.  Applejack accepted without hesitation.  Applejack looked over at the motionless body of her friend.  "I wish you would come back sugarcube," she said.

Then, a miracle happened.  Twilght's eyes slowly opened.  Applejack's eyes widened.  "Look everypony," she said.  They all trained their eyes on Twilight.  Their expressions changed from grief to wonderment in an instant.

Twilight began to convulse again, but not as violently as before.  She lifted her head off the ground and quickly gasped for air.  She shook her head briskly, trying to shake off the grogginess.  "Wha..." she started.  Her eyes widened as her memory returned.  "Pinkie Pie!" she shouted.  She tried to get to her hooves, but she didn't have the strength to hold herself up.

Pinkie Pie's mane and tail inflated back into her regular poof.  Her coat quickly brightened into her usual shade of pink.  The gleeful smile stretched across her entire face.  She bolted over to Twilight, and embraced her tightly.  "TWILIGHT!" she screamed.  "You're alright!  I knew you'd make it."

Twilight mind was still a bit foggy, but that did little to delay her reaction.  She returned her friends hug with slightly hindered enthusiasm.  Twilight coughed softly before saying, "I'm glad you're alright Pinkie.  I apologize for...." Pinkie placed her hoof over Twilight's mouth.

"You already apologized," Pinkie said playfully.  Twilight just smiled and cuddled closer with her friend.

Pinkie helped Twilight up off the ground. Twilight leaned on her pink friend to keep her balance.  The other four ponies trotted up to her and gave her a big hug.

Applejack spoke for them all when she said, "We are all glad you're alright sugarcube.  If it wasn't fer...."  Applejack paused at her realization.  She broke off the hug and stepped back.  The others looked at her oddly.  "Crimson Dusk...I said those things to him."  The others happy feelings were cut short by the memory of what transpired minutes before this happy moment.  Twilight was the only one that was lost.

"I might know where he is," Rainbow said rising off the ground.

"Then let's go," Applejack said.

They all nodded and followed the cyan pony.  Pinkie hauled Twilight onto her back and galloped behind the others.  Rainbow Dash lead them down a windy path, until they came to a small patch of bushes.  They pushed through the shrubs and continued deep into the forest.  They kept going until a small cottage came into view.

Dash descended to the ground and trotted over to the little house, while the others waited outside.  The door hung open, creaking as it swayed from side to side.  The inside of the house was dark, and no smoke was coming out of the chimney.  She found his saddlebag thrown hastily on a peg outside the house.  "Somethin ain't right," she said worridly as she passed throught the door.  The floor was littered with broken bottles.  The smell of alcohol permeated the air inside the cottage.

She saw Dusk standing on a stool.  Dash could make out something dangling from the ceiling, but it was too dark to tell.  Her eyes adjusted in the dark, and what she saw made her blood run cold.  Dusk had tied a noose around his neck.  He was going to kill himself.  "Dusk! Wait!" Dash screamed.

Dusk looked over at the small pegusus.  "I'm sorry," he said slurring slightly.  "I'm useless to everypony.  It's better that my life ends.  Then others won't have to suffer because of me."

The stool began to wobble.  Dash frantically searched the dark cabin for something useful.  She picked up an ornate sword that was hanging from the wall.  She threw it with all her might at the rope.  The stool fell over with a loud bang.  Dusk, not being prepared for the fall, grunted as he hit the floor.

Dash leapt on top of the drunk alicorn.  "Don't you ever do that again," she said as tears trickled down her cheek.  "We all care about you.  I care about you.  Without you, Twilight would be dead."  Dusk's eyes widened from the news of Twilight living, but he let Dash continue.  "I...I can't imagine living without you.  I...." The tears fell faster now.  "I...I love you Dusk!"

Dusk just stared into her sad, magenta eyes.  His head was foggy from the alcohol.  He couldn't find the words he wanted to say.  Tears started in his eyes as well.  He did the only thing a drunk alicorn would do to a beautiful mare like Rainbow Dash.  He leaned up and pressed his lips against hers.  She accepted them without hesitation.

The others heard the commotion, and came rushing in the door.  "Is everything alright?  We heard a...."  Applejack began.  They all stood at the door with their mouths agape.  Smiles crept over each of their faces.  "Excuse me," Applejack said as the others giggled loudly.  "If y'all are done, we've got a kingdom to save."

The two lovers looked bashfully at their audience.  Dash got off of Dusk, and helped him up.  He tried to clear his head from the alcohol induced haze.  With some help from Rainbow Dash, he walked over to a door less cabinet.  He opened a bottle of blue liquid, and gulped it down.  He could feel the fog in his mind lifting.

"What did you just drink?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It's special potion that erases the effects of alcohol.  It also stops hangovers," he answered.

"Well if you're done drinking, there's somepony I want you to meet," Rainbow Dash said.  She walked over to her purple friend and wrapped one hoof around her neck.  "This is my friend, Twilight Sparkle," Rainbow Dash said proudly.  Twilight blushed at the introduction.

Dusk smiled as he offered his hoof to her.  "It's good to meet you," he said politely.  "My name is Crimson Dusk."  Twilight, with the aid of Pinkie Pie, shook his hoof.  "Sorry about the mess," he said.  "There was a bit of an incident."  They all just chuckled.

Twilight's face turned serious as she said, "Now that all the drama is over, we still have one last thing to do.  We have to stop Discord."  All the other ponies nodded in agreement.

"There's just one problem," said Pinkie Pie.  "How do we get back to the castle?"  The others looked at each other, hoping for an answer.

Dusk cleared his throat and said, "Don't worry.  I got you covered."  He beckoned the other ponies to follow, as he trotted out the door.  He stopped momentarily to pick up his saddlebag.  He quickly checked that the element of faith was still there, then kept moving.  He lead them to a rock wall on the other side of his cottage.  He placed a hoof on a hidden switch, causing a part of the wall to slide away.  It revealed a long tunnel lit by magical torches.  "This tunnel will lead us straight to the castle gardens," he said matter of factly.

"Dusk, Rainbow Dash said affectionatly.  "You're the best."

"Tell me something I don't know," he replied confidently.  Dash just rolled her eyes and smiled.  The five seven friends nodded to one another, and began their journey down the dark tunnel.  Each of them thought the same thing, they were going to stop Discord once and for all.

The Power of Faith

The ponies followed the dimly lit passage for hours.  "Pinkie," Twilight said, "I think I can walk the rest of the way myself."  Pinkie wanted to argue, but respected Twilight's wishes.  Pinkie let Twilight down, and she walked the rest of the way.  At the end of the passage was a set of stone stairs that led upwards.  They briskly climbed up the stairs, and emerged in the castle gardens.

The flowers were in full bloom.  Small drops of water glistened off the different colored flora of the garden, making the garden shimmer in the moonlight.  The stalwart castle stood tall in the soft light.  Lights were flashing from within the white walls.  Screams could be heard from within the castle.  "Discord must be having some fun," said Twilight.  "I hope we aren't too late."

"Yeah," Dash said angrily.  "I can't wait to shove my hoof in his face,"  The others nodded in agreement.

"What's the plan?" Applejack asked.

Twilight analyzed the ominous castle carefully.  "Dash, fly up and check the doors and windows," Twilight ordered.  Rainbow Dash gave her a salute and silently took off.  She pushed on the door, but it wouldn't budge.  She checked all the windows that the others could reach.  Unfortunately, they were all locked from the inside.

Dash glumly returned to her friends.  "They're all locked guys," she said.

"Aw shucks.  Now what?" Applejack asked.

Twilight looked intensely at the castle again.  She thought long and hard before she spoke.  "I've got a plan," she said confidently.  "Rainbow Dash, I want you to go find a rope.  We're going to use it to climb the walls and enter through one of the balcony windows."

"Sounds like it might work, but why don't you just knock," said Discord.  All the ponies jumped at the sound of his voice.  They looked around trying to find him, but he wasn't around.  "I'm down here," he chuckled.  They looked down at a red flower growing just beneath their hooves.  It was staring at them with huge eyes, and smiling at them with a toothy grin.

"AAHH!  TALKING FLOWER!" Pinkie Pie screamed as she trampled the insult to nature.  The others stared at the comical pony with shocked expressions.  "What?  It was creepy," she said with a cute giggle.  The others couldn't help but laugh with her.

"Well," said Crimson Dusk, "It's time to end this."  They marched up the staircase without hindrance from the mischievous spirit.  Rainbow Dash knocked on the door, causing it to fall to the ground with a loud thud.  The corridor in front of them was pitch black.  The sconces that usually held beautiful lanterns were replaced by singing hoofballs.  They sang extremely off tune, which made the seven ponies cringe.

They galloped through the torturous hallway as fast as they could.  They opened a door on the opposite end of the hallway.  It led into a room that Discord seemed to have left untouched.  "Where are we?" Fluttershy asked innocently.  The room was lightly furnished.  Purple colored velvet swirled around the room.  A dark fireplace that hasn't been used in ages sat in the corner of the room.  A dusty tome rested on a black couch in front of the fireplace.  Two huge bookcases filled with books faced each other at opposite ends of the room.

"I don't know," replied Twilight.  "I've never been in here before.  It looks very nice though."

"What are you talking about?  This room is horrid," said Rarity.  "The couch completely clashes with the velvet, and do not get me started on the lack of decor."  The other ponies just shook their heads at what she was saying.  Rarity saw their reactions and smiled shyly.

"I'm getting impatient my little ponies," taunted Discord.  "Are you lost?  Allow me to give you a hoof.  I'm eager to see you again."  The entire floor opened up underneath the ponies.  They fell screaming into a dark abyss.  The seven ponies landed on a long tube slide.  They rode down the sinister ride screaming.  All except Pinkie Pie, who was laughing the entire time.

The slide took them to what appeared to be the throne room.  Discord's food army was still comically fighting.  This time over a small fort made completely out of chocolate.  The guests were no where to be seen.  Luna and Celestia were still sitting (still petrified) on opposite sides of a throne made of bubbles.

Discord was on top of the throne amusing himself with life-sized puppets of the Wonderbolts.  "Hey!" yelled Rainbow Dash at the sight of her childhood heroes being reduced to ridiculous play things.  "Let them go now!"  She took flight and charged at the spirit of chaos.  He just laughed and snapped his talons.  Rainbow Dash looked at him oddly, before an anvil landed on top of her head.  She fell down to the ground, and bounced back high in the air.

He laughed obnoxiously.  "Trampoline floor and falling anvils," he said between fits of laughter.  "This is priceless."

"Leave her alone!" Crimson Dusk screamed.  He led the other ponies in a mad charge across the bouncy floor.  Dusk quickly grabbed Rainbow Dash off the ground, as they made their attack agianst Discord.  He just laughed at the desperate attempt.  He waved his hand in the air.  The floor turned into chocolate pudding.  The seven heroes fell into it, and it quickly hardened.  They struggled with all their might, but it was no use.  They were now at the mercy of their sadistic captor.

"You ponies are just a scream," he said while taking pleasure in yet another victory.  "I mean come on.  Did you really think charging at me would stop me?" He began laughing again as his eyes sized up his new toys.

"What have you done with the guests," Rarity asked while trying to free herself.

"Oh, they are a busy playing a little game of castle defense," he answered while gesturing at the fort.

"Where's my brother and Cadence?" Twilight demanded to know.

"Your brister, or sother, got very annoying.  I zipped his/her mouth shut and turned him/her invisible, so I wouldn't have to look at it."

"I'm going to plant my hoof in you skull for your crimes," Dusk said angrily.

"Oh, will you now?" Discord replied.  He slowly floated down from his throne to look the crimson alicorn in the eyes.  "You, I must say, were quite a surprise.  I never thought I would see you again."  Discord turned to face Rainbow Dash.  Her hate filled eyes stared into his cocky ones.  "How did you ever find him?"

"I'm not telling you anything you dork," she spat out.  Discord playfully twirled Dusk's mane with his talons.  Dash felt her anger boiled over.  "Leave him alone!" she screamed.  Her attempts to free herself intensified.

"There's no need for name calling," Discord replied.  Especially since we are in the presence of royalty."

"What are you talking about?" asked Twilight.  "You have the princesses encased in stone.  They can't even here us."

Discord stared at her with a confused expression.  His eyes widened and he laughed maniaclly at them.  "You mean you don't...oh, this is just precious.  May I introduce to you, the forgotten prince of Canterlot, Prince Crimson Dusk," said Discord as he mockingly bowed to the crimson alicorn.

The others stared at the crimson alicorn in disbelief.  "Is he telling us the truth?" asked Rainbow Dash.

Crimson looked into her eyes before bowing his head in shame.  "Yeah...it's true," he said.  "I am a prince.  Celestia and Luna are my sisters.  I didn't want anypony to know about my past, especially you."  Rainbow Dash looked sympathetically at him.  At this point, she just wanted to hold him.

Discord laughed even louder.  "This must be shocking news.  Considering you two are madly in love, I'm guessing this little charade of his is breaking your young heart," said Discord.  "Why wouldn't he tell you who he really was?  I don't think he trusts you Dashie.  If I were you, I'd probably leave him to wallow in sadness."

Dash looked down at the ground with confusion in her eyes.  Dusk watched her intently.  While it was true he felt ashamed, he was more afraid of losing Rainbow Dash before their relationship could truly blossom.  Dash's expression hardened as he looked directly into the Discord's eyes.  "You know what?" she stated confidently.  "I don't care that he didn't tell me.  I love him more than I've ever loved anything in my life.  If he didn't want to tell me, he must have had a good reason for it."  A small hum started in Dusk's saddlebag.

"I don't believe this!" Discord yelled.  "You all are just UNBEARABLE!  I have fractured your friendships twice, yet you always make up in the end.  Now, you are saying you believe in somepony that didn't tell you he was a prince?"  He summoned a table to his side, and smashed it into pieces.  "What gives?"  He turned and spoke to Pinkie Pie.  "Twilight said you were annoying and childish."  He switched his gaze to Applejack and Rarity.  "You two are complete opposites."  Finally, his attention fell on Fluttershy. "I can't do anything to you. You're just too nice to hate anypony.  WHY DON'T YOU ALL JUST START HATING EACH OTHER?!"

Pinkie Pie was the first to speak.  "Twilight did think of me that way.  It did hurt my feelings, but that doesn't matter.  She has always been my friend, and I believe in her.  She has never let me down, and I won't let some mean thoughts about me ruin a good friendship."  The humming grew louder, and the other elements of harmony began to glow.

Applejack was the next to speak up.  "Rarity might be a hoity toity princess, but she is the best friend anypony could ask for."

"And Applejack might be a messy yokel," Rarity added, "but I can always count on her to have my back.  We may be different, but it's those differences that strengthen our friendship.  We can look past each other's petty differences, and see the true beauty of each other."  Applejack blushed at the comment.  The humming grew louder.  Discord looked feverishly around the room trying to find the its source.

"I'm kind to my friends, because they are the best I could ever have," Fluttershy said assuredly.  "My friends were all animals until I met these ponies.  They see me for who I am, and I can only do the same for them.  They always challenge me to be my best, and I love them for it.  I will always have faith in my friends, no matter what troubles befall us."

"You see Discord," Twilight said defiantly,  "you can't break our friendship.  We care about each other too much to let petty things separate us."  Twilight was joined by the other five as they all shouted "We have faith in our friends!"

A bright light flashed from inside Dusk's saddlebag.  The stone orb representing the element of faith rose daintily into the air.  A feeling of dread overtook Discord. "No!  You've tapped into the power of the seventh element!" he shouted as he dived at the orb.  It let out a huge shockwave, sending Discord flying across the room.

It hummed and vibrated violently.  The element shattered into many pieces of glimmering stone.  The stones flew and surrounded the six ponies that represented the spirits of harmony.  They gave off a soft light, as they combined with the other glowing elements of harmony.  The jewels that the six friends wore shined brighter than ever.  Beautiful designs that represented each ponies personality etched their way across the golden jewelry.  The ponies felt their bodies tingle all over.  It was as if the long lost element woke the a dormant power that slumbered within the elements.  They felt like they were alive.

The six ponies rose from the ground, breaking the floor and freeing Dusk in the process.  The light the elements gave off was more intense than the sun.  The six ponies were suspended in the air.  The elements created a unified beam of pure white light, and directed it at Discord.  He turned himself into a mirror again, hoping it would stop the attack like last time.  The beam, unaffected by Discord's futile attempt to save himself, hit its mark.  It swirled around his entire being.  It was spinning so fast, that an intense wind formed within the large room.

"No!" screamed Discord.  "It can't be!  I will not go back into that dreadful stone!  I won't lose again!"  His screams of terror were drowned out by the loud roar of the tornado of light.  It closed in on him, and the screaming stopped.  The light expanded across the entire castle.  The fighting food fell where they stood, and the colors of the room turned back to normal.  The Wonderbolts, the guests, and the princesses turned back to normal as well.  Shining Armor and Princess Cadence became visible, and separated into two ponies again.

The ponies were gently lowered back to the ground.  "That was intense!" Rainbow Dash said with joy.

Celestia helped Luna to her hooves, and then walked over to the ponies.  "I'm so proud of you," she said admiringly.  "I can always count on you girls."  Her eyes widened and teared up when her gaze fell on the crimson alicron.

"Brother!" Luna said cheerfully as she ran to Dusk.  She embraced him.  Dusk could feel the tears fall onto his back.  "I'm so glad you're back.  I never thought I would see you again."  Dusk embraced his little sister, but he was still staring at Celestia.

"Luna," Celestia said affectionatly, "Could you get off of him please?"  Luna reluctantly let her brother go.  Celestia walked over to her long lost brother.  "Crimson Dusk," she said.  She could no longer hold her composure.  She hugged him with tears falling down her graceful cheeks.  "I'm so sorry," she said between sobs.  "I was young and foolish.  Please come back.  It hasn't been the same since you left."

Crimson was taken aback by his sister's reaction.  She had always been the unfeeling, studious one of the family.  That thought didn't stop him from holding his older sister.  He cradled her comfortingly as he said, "I forgive you, but I'm not coming back to the castle."

Celestia let him go and stared into his eyes.  "Please come home," she pleaded.

Dusk stared back.  "I'm not returning to the castle, but I am returning to the kingdom,' he said lovingly.  His eyes darted to Rainbow Dash, and quickly returned to his crying sister.  "I hear Cloudsdale has a nice view of...everything.  I'm considering moving there."

Dash trotted over and cudled with Crimson Dusk.  Celestia smiled at the sight.  "You always did have a thing for reckless ponies," she said affectionately.

Dusk smiled back.  "She's not reckless.  She's just spirited in an irresponsible way," he said as he leaned closer to Dash.  Dash laughed at the accurate description of herself, and playfully bashed him in the side.  He playfully pushed back.  They all just laughed at the two lovers.

"Things are all well and good, but who's that?"  Applejack said pointing at a large pony laying on the ground.  He was pitch black.  His shimmering, silver mane was wrapped around a long, black horn.  He groaned, but remained where he was.

Celestia's expression hardened as she walked over to the sleeping pony.  He opened his eyes, which were a deep purple, and stared maliciously at Celestia.  He switched his position from his side to his stomach.  This revealed two black wings that were tucked into his sides.  He wasn't a pony; he was an alicorn.

"This is Draconus the Spellweaver,"  said Celestia with a hate no pony ever knew she was capable of feeling.  "He was my father's top advisor, and most trusted friend."   That was until he ripped apart our family and killed our parents."  Dusk and Luna stared hatefully at the weakened that laid on the other side of the room.

"It's heartwarming that you remember me little Tia," he said with a smirk.  He tried to stand up, but couldn't move more than a few inches off the ground.  The stress of having that chaotic spirit ripped from his body completely drained his strength.  He turned his head slightly towards Luna and said, "Lulu, please come give me a hoof."

She said nothing.  Celestia beckoned a pair of guards to retrieve Draconus.  "For your treason against the crown, I sentence you to life in prison.  Starswirl created a special prison just for you in case you returned.  It should keep you from regaining your strength, and using your magic."  The armored guards picked him up and escorted him out of the throne room.

Celestia noticed a small ruby glimmering on the ground where the evil alicorn was laying.  She carefully trotted over to her throne and recovered a small box.  She used her magic raise the gem off the ground and placed it inside the box.  The lid closed with a click.

"What did you put in that box?" Twilight asked her mentor.

"This was a failed attempt by Draconus to create an element of harmony," she answered.  "Instead, he created an element of disharmony.  This box was specially made to hold the gem.  It's enchanted to never open again once the gem is placed inside."

"Did the gem turn Draconus evil?" Twilight asked curiously.

Celestia smiled at her favorite student.  "No, he was always that way," she answered.  "He is a very powerful and very evil wizard.  He fooled us all a long time ago, but he won't be able to hurt anypony again.  He is going to a hidden prison where no pony is allowed to see him.  He is going to rot away in prison for the rest of his immortal life."  Celestia looked over at the ornate clock on the wall.  Her weariness was noticeable to all the ponies.  "I think I'll raise the sun in a few hours.  I need time to lie down."

The others nodded in agreement.  The whole experiance had drained them of all their energy.  Celestia offered them rooms in the castle, and they all graciously accepted.  There crazy adventure was over.  Equestria could sleep in peace once again.

Doubt and Distrust

The sound of hooves stepping on a stone floor echoed through the empty hallway.

"Now," said Princess Celestia her regal stature not affected by the tension of preparing for this year's Grand Galloping Gala, "Since I have most of the guards patroling the streets  for any hidden dangers, you two are the only guards available to watch over the prisoner."

"Don't worry Princess Celestia," said Thunder Hoof, "you can count on me."

"You mean us," added Solar Flare.

"That's what I said," replied Thunder Hoof jokingly.

Celestia rolled her eyes.  The thought of having the statue of Discord unguarded filled her with dread, but having these two guard it didn't give her mind much peace either.  They entered a room furnished only by two lit candles sitting on a lone table.  Cobwebs and dust covered the stone walls and ceiling.  The windows were darkened so no pony could see inside.  The air felt moist and had a musty smell.  It was as if this part of the castle was forgotten and was supposed to stay that way.

The center of the room was overtaken by a statue of a draconequus.  The face that once laughed at disharmony and chaos was now frozen in a mixture of disbelief and rage.  His "arms" extended in an attempt to block an oncoming attack that he was not ready for.  It could only be one being, Discord.

Celestia's face hardened in a scowl at the sight of her oldest enemy.  She then cast it upon the two royal guards.

She stated in a voice opposite of her more common and gentle tone, "You two are not to let him out of your sights until the end of the Gala."

The guards stood at attention and saluted the princess, their golden armor gleaming with the reflection of the dancing fire. Celestia turned and trotted out of the room, slamming the door as she left. The only noise after that was the echo of the door and the fading hoof steps the princess created as she walked back down the hall.

"Sooooo," said Solar Flare breaking the eerie silence, "want to play some cards."

"Sure," replied Thunder Hoof, "I don't know whats got her saddle so tight.  It's just a statue, it ain't goin anywhere."

Solar Flare produced a deck of cards and dealt them out on the table.  It was common for these two to waste the hours of the night playing games of chance to see who could win the others wages.  Solar Flare was amazing at cards, but his smirk always betrayed his hands.  Thunder Hoof was good at bluffing, but could seldom get the other to fall for them.  This game was going to take a while.

Solar Flare took an early lead with a pair of twos, but Thunder Hoof came back next hand with a full house.  The time ticked by as one hand came after another with no winner in sight.

How come I can't get an upper hoof on this guy, I really need his money, thought Thunder Hoof.

Isssn't it obviousss?  He'sssss cheating.

Alerted, Thunder Hoof jumped out of his seat.

"Did you hear that," said the startled guard.

"The only thing I hear is your money jingling in my saddlebag," replied Solar Flare with a smirk on his face.

Thunder Hoof sat back down, blaming his imagination for the weird noise.  The game continued on as normal, except Thunder Hoof found himself watching his partner more closly.  Thunder Hoof received his cards and looked intently at them, still watching Solar Flare.  Hoping to end the game quickly and as the winner, Thunder Hoof pushed all his money towards the center of the table.

Solar Flare looked at Thunder Hoof quizzically and said, "You sure you want to do this?"

Thunder Hoof nodded and produced his hand, two kings and three tens.  Thunder Hoof laughed and proceeded to take his winnings, when Solar Flare laid his cards on the table.

"Royal Flush," said Solar Flare purposefully not keeping the pleasure out of his voice.

Thunder Hoof's mouth dropped in surprise.

How did he get that hand? he thought.

Cheat...cheat...cheat, came the whispers again.

Thunder Hoof looked at his friend and angrily said, "YOU...BIG...CHEAT!"

Confused, Solar Flare replied, "Come on mate.  You know I never cheat."

He doesn't trust you, came a whisper from the shadows.

Solar Flare jumped as he searched the room for the disembodied voice.

"What's the matter?  Too much guilt for you to take," said Thunder Hoof.

"Quiet," ordered Solar Flare, "I heard something."

"Not until you admit you cheated," retorted Thunder Hoof.

"Don't you trust me?" replied Solar Flare, "I told you I didn't cheat."

"I would if you admit you cheated," replied Thunder Hoof.

Solar Flare could feel anger building up in his chest, but held it.  He, after all, did have a job to do.

He hated your vanilla cupcakes something whispered in Solar Flares ears.

He won't admit it.  He'ssss a cheater.  How can he ssssay he'ssss your mate if he can't tell you the truth. came another whisper in Thunder Hoof's ear.

"You hated my vanilla cupcakes?" said Solar Flare unable to keep the anger out of his voice.

"Well if you were my "mate", you would know I like chocolate you big cheater," replied Thunder Hoof.

"You know who else is a big cheater?  Your fillyfooler of a mother," stated Solar Flare finally losing his cool.

That was it for Thunder Hoof's patience.  He lunged at Solar Flare and caught him by surprise with a left hook.  Solar Flare reeled for a minute, then caught his balance and went after Thunder Hoof.  The fight went on for a few minutes, the one-time friends clobbering each other.  It would have went on if Celestia didn't come running in the room.

"WHAT ARE YOU...." she started but stopped suddenly.

The guards stopped and, with puzzled expressions, looked in the same direction as the startled princess.  Their expressions changed from puzzlement to shock and horror.  The statue of Discord had vanished without a trace.

"Good job brother," a sly voice said

"Pleasssse ssssisster, it wasssss all you," came another.

The fox jumped from her perch in the hidden cavern, obviously satisfied with the compliment.

"You do me too much honor with your praise Doubt," said Distrust

"It'ssss true Dissstrusst," replied the serpent uncoiling from his warm area in the cold cavern.

They both looked longingly at the statue of Discord, hoping that it would be enough to bring him back to life.

"What now dear ssssissster," asked Doubt

"Now," she replied with a sheepish grin and a knowing tone, "we sow the seeds of discord."

Ponies in the Fog

Crimson Dusk and his four companions drudged through the murky forest.  It might as well have been a jungle with how deep it went.  The farther they ventured, the more treacherous it became.  The air was heavy with moisture.  Thick vines hung loosely over tall trees.  Insects of different shapes and sizes buzzed around the pools of dank water that littered the forest floor.  Birds sang strange tunes throughout the canopy.

"So what yur sayin is that Twi is in a coma, and she could die at any moment," Applejack asked Dash.  With the news of their friend's life on the brink of being snuffed out like a dim candle, the three ponies were becoming more anxious and worried than before.  Dash just nodded glumly.

"Well then why ever are we out here in this filthy forest?" asked Rarity just barely being able to keep the worry out of her voice.  "We should be trying to help her."

"I agree with Rarity," added Fluttershy.  "This place is dark...and scary...and dark." She hid one of her eyes behind her long, pink hair.

"We are helping her," Dash said confidently.  "We are going to find a special plant or something that can heal her.  Right Dusk?"

"It's not just a special plant. We are looking for the herb known as Nature's Kiss," he replied.  "It is very rare and only grows in one part of the Everfree Forest."

"How do ya know so much bout these here plants?" asked Applejack wondering if the mysterious alicorn was telling the truth.

"An old friend taught me a long time ago," he said.  "I know your worried, but you'll just have to go with what I'm saying."

They kept moving for what seemed like hours.  The animal noises became nothing more than faint whispers the farther they ventured into the forest.  The road became wetter, causing mud to spalsh in all directions with each step they took.

"This is just horrid," Rarity said breaking the lingering silence.

"Trust me," Dusk said to the classy unicorn, "Where we are going, mud will be the least of your worries.

He led them down a curving path covered in scattered rocks and brush.   The number of trees lessened the farther they journeyed.  In minutes, they found themselves in a dreary, barren wasteland.  The cracked ground looked like it was made of obsidian .  A foul blue gas seeped out from an unknown source under the black earth.  It curled wistfully in the air, forming a dense fog.

"What's that blue stuff?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.

"It is a very toxic substance," he answered.  "Few living creatures can live inside that deadly cloud.  None of them are very pleasant."

"How are we suppose tah reach that flower thingy?" Applejack queried.

"I can create a safe area around us, but it will only last for about twenty minutes," Dusk said getting slightly annoyed at all the questions.

"Enough talk," Dash said impatiently.  "The more time we waste talking, the less time we have to save Twilight.

Dusk closed his eyes.  His horn glimmered with a crimson aura as a dark red bubble surrounded them.  Dusk opened his eyes and said, "Alright, let's go."

They walked straight into the blue mist.  It engulfed them hungrily, but the ponies remained unharmed.  Their line of sight was severly reduced due to how dense the fog was.

"If you don't mind me asking," Rarity began, " how are we ever going to find this flower in all this fog?  I can barely see a thing."

"The path we are on leads right to where it grows.  As long as we keep heading straight, we will find what we are looking for." Dusk said straining slightly to keep the shield up.

After walking for what seemed like five minutes, they found what they were after. Surrounding them were beautiful green flowers with dark purple stems and leaves shaped like hearts.  They glowed unnaturally in the pale blue fog.

"There it is," said Rainbow Dash excitedly.

"Oh my, they're just gorgeous," Fluttershy said as she admired their beauty.

Applejack wandered over carefully picked one of the larger flowers from a small patch growing nearby.  She gently placed it in Dusk's worn saddlebag.

"That seemed a bit too easy," said Applejack closing the saddlebag.

"Please don't say that," Fluttershy pleaded.  "Something bad always happens when somepony says that."

"Oh, quit cher...what in tarnation?"  Applejack said taking notice of a low hissing sound.

"That...can't be good," said Dusk worriedly.  "We should probably leave."

They turned and trotted off back down the path.  Suddenly, a small patch of the black earth caved in just to the left of the ponies.  Two giant lizards crawled slowly out of the pit.  Their musclar bodies were decorated with an alternating pattern of green and black scales.  Two pairs of eyelids blinked simultaneously over two beady eyes as they sized up their prey.  Tails covered in spikes whipped pleasurably back and forth.  Forked tongues flicked greedly between two rows of razor sharp teeth, eager to feast upon the ponies' flesh.

"I'm sorry, but I told you so," Fluttershy bragged.

The lizards pounced at the ponies with feral speed.  Fortunatly, the shield that protected the ponies from the gas also protected them from the lizards.  The lizards crashed towards the ground, rolling over each other in the process.  They quickly rose up and pounced again, determined to devour the ponies.  Dusk grunted with each hit his shield spell took.  "I...think we should...ugh...RUN!" he said.  The ponies ran hard to get to the end of the toxic fog.  The earth kept falling around them, forming more holes.  Dozens of lizards rose up from the newly formed holes, and joined the offense against the terrifyed ponies.

Their numbers grew, and it wasn't long before around fifteen or so lizards were banging against the crimson shield.  Small cracks etched their way around the only protection they had against a quick and painful death.  The cracks grew larger with each subsequent blow from the lizards.

Crimson began to slow down.  His breathing grew heavier and his sight began to blur.  He formed a troubled expression on his face, as he looked at the struggling ponies.  "I...I don't know how...how long I can keep this...this up," he gasped.  "I'm...sorry.  I don't think I'm...ugh...strong enough to get us...through this.  I'm sorry I...I let you all down.  Your going to...lose your lives...because...of me.  The...purple...ugh...one will too."  He hung his head low as his speed began to wane.  The cracks grew larger on their protective barrier, creating spiderweb-esque pattern around them.

"Crimson Dusk," Rainbow Dash said affectionately.

Drops of sweat fell from his mane as he turned to face the cyan pegusus.  He found Rainbow Dash giving him a reassuring look.  "You can do it," she said.

A small hum emanated from Dusk's saddlebag.

"We all know ya can do it," Applejack added.  "Don't give up sugarcube.  I...we believe in you"

Fluttershy and Rarity nodded in agreement.  The humming grew louder.

Rainbow Dash hovered closer to Dusk.  She closed in on his ear and whispered gently, "I believe in you."  She leaned in closer and gave him a small peck on the cheek.

The humming rose to a deafening roar.  The Element of Faith gave off a soft, white glow that encompassed the crimson alicorn.  He felt energy he never felt before course through his body.  The cracks began to disappear almost instantaneously.  Dusk's head rose high into the air.  His sprinted faster than he ever had in his entire life.  He was galloping so fast, Fluttershy and Rarity -being the less athletic ponies of the group- were having a hard time keeping up.

The lizards didn't stop their barrage of attacks, but they proved futile.  They galloped harder through the mist.  Applejack dropped behind Rarity and Fluttershy.  "You gals just keep runnin," she commanded encouragingly.  "Don't stop.  We're almost there."

They could start to make out the tree-like forms just a few yards away.  They burst through the boundary that separated them from life and death.  Dusk stopped and collapsed onto the ground a few yards away from the deadly fog.  The other ponies stayed upright, but struggled to catch their breath.  His crimson shield vanished as he hit the ground, leaving the recovering ponies at the mercy of the pursuing nightmares that followed close behind.

The four ponies turned around quickly, and prepared to battle their scaley foes.  What they saw, on the other hand, was a bit more shocking. The few lizards that followed them out were gaging violently.  They grasped their throats with their claws desperatly trying to breath.  They immediatly turned around and crawled back into the fog.  They lumbered deeper into the safety of the fog, until their terrifying forms were completly swallowed up by it.

Applejack tended to her winded friends, while Rainbow Dash went to check to see if Crimson Dash was okay.  "Get up you big baby," she said while prodding his still heaving chest.

He looked at her and smugly said between gasps, "I told you...I would beat you in a race.  I was the...first out of the fog."

Her eyes narrowed in on Dusk.  "That didn't count," she said challengingly stomping her hoof on the ground.  "I hung behind to keep your sorry butt going."

"Still counts," Dusk said unable to contain a small chuckle.  Rainbow Dash just kicked him hard (but playfully) in the side.  He grunted at the force of the blow, which made Dash chuckle affectionately.

"Excuse me, but what in the name of Celestia just happened?" asked Rarity still trying to catch her breath.

She looked quizzacally towards Fluttershy and Applejack.  They both met her with equal looks of confusion on their faces.

Rainbow Dash turned towards them and said knowingly, "That was the power of faith."

"I haven't the slightest idea of what your talking about, but the time for questions can wait," Rarity said.  "We must return to Twilight, before it is too late."

Dash, with some effort, helped the worn out alicorn to his hooves.  They locked eyes for a moment.  They could feel the blood rush to their cheeks as they stared intimatly at each other.

"If you two love birds are through gawkin, we have a friend that needs savin," Applejack said before galloping down the path.  Rarity and Fluttershy followed close behind.

Crimson Dusk opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Dash locking lips with him.  Dusk could feel a warm sensation flutter through his entire body.  It lasted for several seconds, before Dash broke of from the stallion's lips, and stared meaningfully into his eyes.  Dusk's mouth was agape with bewilderment

"We'll talk about it later," she said seductivly.  Dusk just smiled as the two lovers hurridly galloped to catch up with the others.

Epilogue: Coming Storm

Draconus sat in the small prison that was supposed to be his new home.  Four steel walls surrounded him inside the hidden cavern.  There was a door with some bars for a window at the far end of the cell.  He could sense the enchantments that slowly ebbed away at his stamina and willpower embedded within the walls of his prison.  He was so weak, he could barely keep his sitting position.  "I must have a word with whoever is in charge of the decor," he mused.  "This place could use some nice curtains, or maybe a window."

His ears perked up at the sound of hoofsteps echoing in the darkness.  They were getting closer with each passing second.  Draconus could see a figure standing outside the door.  A light turned on, and he found himself face to face with Princess Celestia.  "Glad to see you again," Draconus said politely.  "Does this mean I'm being pardoned?"

Celestia smiled as she spoke, "You always seem to get into trouble dear.  Don't you remember me?"

"Now you're just playing cruel games on an old friend Tia," he said not being slightly amused by what she was asking.

She just laughed at his reaction.  There was a rattling of keys in the lock, and the door swung open.  "Come on my love.  Let's be off."

Draconus's eyes widened.  "Countess Mirage?  Is that you?" he asked.

Her entire form was engulfed by a green flame.  Her glorious white coat darkened to black.  Her angelic wings became torn and disfigured.  The prominent horn on her head reformed into a twisted spike.  Her eyes became green and snake like.  "It's Queen Chrysalis now," she corrected.

Draconus dragged himself out of his private room.  He could feel his strength returning, but he needed more time to recover.  He managed to kiss Chrysalis lovingly on the cheek.  "How's are family?" he asked.

She smiled knowingly as she replied, "We have a lot of mouths to feed."

"So, the spell worked?" he asked.

"Better than expected," the changling queen answered.  "What do you want to do now?"

"First, I need a snack and a nap," he said.  "Then, we finish what we started all those years ago."  Their evil laughs echoed throughout the cavern, as they made there way into the sunlight.