The ponies, Spike, and Hanzo approached the entrance of the Everfree Forest. Everypony seemed hesitant and fearful of the danger ahead. Even Hanzo didn’t know what to expect from the forest. More and more vines and plants seemed to grow out of the entrance. The colors of the forest were mostly vibrant shades of purple, which wasn’t normal for the forest. Then again, nothing was normal for the Everfree Forest.

“Seems like only yesterday we were heading into the Forest to find the Elements of Harmony,” Rarity said, turning to her friends.

“Seems like only yesterday I was foolish enough to think I should go after them on my own,” Twilight replied. “I don’t know what we’re going to have to face in there, but I know we have to face it together.” Everypony nodded and spoke in agreement.

The group started making their way through the hectic forest. Shortly on, they came to a small pond. A few rocks stuck out in the water. With no other way across the water, hopping the rocks seemed the best chance to cross. Twilight led the way, hopping on the first rock. She cried out and began to lose her balance, though, as the rocks started shaking erratically. A rockodile rose from the water, flinging Twilight off its tail.

“A rockodile! Run for you lives!” Rarity shouted.

While the rest of the group fled in different directions, Hanzo stood his ground. His hands lit up in flames. “I have this.” The rockodile approached him with a screeching cry. Hanzo leapt over the beast and threw a ball of Hellfire at it. It seemed to have little effect on the creature. It simply roared back at Scorpion.

The beast then lunged at Hanzo, who stepped back to dodge the attack. He then stomped the rockodile’s jaw shut. Chunks of stone flew from its mouth. Hanzo then drew one of his swords. Dragging it across the ground, he sliced across the creature’s face. Lighting his left hand on fire, he scooped down and delivered a powerful hook. The rockodile flipped onto its back. Its underside seemed soft. Hanzo jumped into the air, his sword at the ready. As he went for a killing blow, the beast slapped him away with its tail.

Hanzo flew into a tree with a definitive thud. He dropped his blade and found it difficult to get up. The magical disturbances were affecting him yet again. The rockodile recovered and charged at him again. Before it could reach him, Twilight blasted the creature in the face with her magic. This only seemed to anger the beast. It stalked towards her, as she and Spike were up against a stone wall, with nowhere to go. She tried to fly away, but her wings wouldn’t work.

Before it could get to her and Spike, the rest of the girls lassoed its tail to hold it back. Quickly, Applejack got to roping up the rest of its limbs and mouth. With the beast tied down, the group could rest. Scorpion wearily got to his feet. He retrieved his sword and sheathed it on his back. He rubbed his head and walked over to his friends.

“That was close,” Twilight said.

“Ya think?” Spike added.

“A little too close if you ask me,” Applejack said. “You alright?”

“I’m fine. I just can’t seem to get these wings to do what I want them to do when I want them to do it. What about you, Hanzo? Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine. These magical fluctuations aren’t helping me, though. I should have been able to handle that on my own.”

“You two have been havin a lot of trouble today. And, well, who knows what else might come after us. You know… maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea for Twilight and Hanzo to go back to Ponyville, and let us look for the Tree of Harmony,” Applejack stated.

Twilight turned to her with a surprised look. “What?! Why?!”

“For starters, you both just nearly got eaten by that rockodilly.”

“It was after all of us, not just me and Hanzo. And it only came after me because I was helping him,” Twilight said.

“You shouldn’t have done that in the first place, though. I had it,” Scorpion argued.

“Hanzo, you just said it yourself; you should have been able to handle it. But ya couldn’t. You’re the Protector of Equis. And Twilight’s a Princess,” Applejack said.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” Twilight asked.

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are gone, Twilight. If somethin happened to you… I-I just don’t think Equestria can handle losin another Princess. And Hanzo, you protect the entire realm. If we lost you, who knows what might happen?”

“Applejack does make a valid point,” Rarity said. “Even if we manage to save the Tree of Harmony, it won’t necessarily mean the Princesses will return. Equestria will need somepony to lead in their absence. And losing you, Hanzo, would be a major setback for Equis.”

“But the Tree of Harmony; I’m the only one who’s seen it and knows what it looks like. And I’m sure Hanzo knows a great deal more about it than any of us do,” Twilight retorted.

“Huge tree. Cutie marks on the trunk. Probably being attacked by something hideous and awful. Yeah, I’m pretty sure we’ll know it when we see it,” Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight’s eyes started to well up with tears. “And, you all feel this way? That we shouldn’t be here?”

Nopony in the group could stand to look at her. There was shame written all over their faces. Fluttershy was the first to speak up. “Well, it is probably for the best.”

Without another word, Twilight walked away. Spike followed after her, looking back at the group with an unsure expression. The rest of the ponies looked to Hanzo, who seemed weary to leave.

Applejack was about to speak, but Hanzo cut her off. “I understand your thinking, my friends, but it is counter-intuitive. I will go, only to make sure Twilight is okay. I just…” Hanzo seemed weary. His expression was dour. “Good luck.” Without another word, he walked away to join Twilight and Spike. The three made their way back to Ponyville.

“Twilight?” Spike spoke up.

“I’m alright, Spike,” she said, flashing a weak smile. Scorpion walked silently, his eyes to the ground. “Hanzo, are you okay?” He didn’t say anything. He just kept walking. “Hanzo, please. Say something. Anything.”

He stopped and looked at Twilight and Spike. “Why did we leave them?”

Twilight sighed. “Because…” She paused. She couldn’t think of anything to say.

“There is no valid answer. We shouldn’t have left them,” Hanzo said. “Our friends need us, and we need them. No titles or positions of power should affect that. Is our friendship not important to them? Is it not important to us? We are bound by something stronger than any kind of magic or power. Yet, because you are a Princess, and I am the Protector of Equis, that means we should not partake in the defense of our world. It makes no sense. We should be with them, not skulking back into Ponyville to just wait and watch the chaos unfurl.” He sighed and shook his head. “Putting it bluntly, I’m pissed.”

“I am too, but…” Twilight started, but she stopped herself again.

“Uh, guys, speaking of chaos,” Spike spoke up, pointing over to Discord. He was holding two ponies in a vine, while using Gummy to shave his claw. The trio walked over to him.

“Discord!” Twilight shouted.

He jumped and snapped his fingers to release the ponies. They ran off in a hurry. “You’re welcome!” Discord shouted in an exaggerated manner. He turned back to Twilight, Spike, and Hanzo, floating in the air. “No luck finding your tree?”

“We, ran into some trouble,” Twilight started, “and our friends decided it would be better if we returned to Ponyville while they continue the search. Equestria will need me if Princess Celestia and Princess Luna don’t return, and Equis as a whole needs Hanzo as Protector.”

“I’m just surprised that you went along with their plan at all,” Discord said. “I never thought you’d be the kind of pony, Twilight, who would think that she was better than everypony else. And it seems highly counter-productive to not have the Protector of Equis protect Equis. I thought you took your position seriously, Scorpion.”

“I take it very seriously, Discord,” Hanzo snapped.

“And I don’t think I’m better than anypony,” Twilight added.

“Well, how silly of me to assume that you two would think such things,” Discord joked, floating over them. “All you did was choose to keep yourselves far, far away from the danger, while your friends thrust themselves right into it,” he said, gesturing to the forest. “I’m sure you’ll all be the best of pals again when they return from their terrifying and deeply bonding experience, that they’re having without you.” Discord miniaturized and placed himself in Twilight’s ears. His tone was extremely condescending, and it was getting to Twilight.

She made a sharp turn and flung Discord out of her head. She ran off back towards the Everfree Forest. Hanzo and Spike quickly followed after her. “We never should have agreed to come back here,” Twilight said.

“Uh, didn’t Hanzo already explain that?” Spike asked.

“Yes, I did. Why the sudden change of heart, Twilight?” Hanzo asked. “It wasn’t Discord, was it?”

“C’mon, Twilight. He may be reformed, but he’s not that reformed. He’s just trying to get under your skin,” Spike said.

“Well, it’s working!” Twilight said, using her magic to place Spike on her back. The trio made their way back into the Everfree Forest. They had to find their friends and the Tree of Harmony.

“Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad we’re doing this. It’s the right thing to do,” Hanzo said.

“I know. I should have listened to you earlier. I’m just surprised it took Discord to get us back into the fray.”

“It doesn’t matter. Let’s just save Equestria, shall we?” Hanzo said, nodding to his friends. Twilight and Spike smiled back at him.

The trio wandered through the forest for a few minutes, believing they were headed in the right direction. Spike continually pestered about their location, thinking they were lost. Twilight persisted that they weren’t lost, but her tone implied otherwise. Hanzo remained vigilant and reassuring, but he couldn’t disagree with Spike; they were lost.

“Twilight…” Spike muttered.

She wore a defeated look. “I don’t know where we are. We’re lost.” She sat down. “We never should have left them.”

“Now is not the time for pessimism, Twilight,” Hanzo said. “I’ll climb these trees. Maybe I’ll be able to spot the girls from up there.” He looked to Twilight and Spike. Twilight simply stared at the ground, while Spike gestured for Hanzo to get a move on. Scorpion quickly ascended up the tree. Pushing aside the branches and leaves at the top, he easily spotted the girls not far from their location. “Twilight, Spike, I’ve found them,” he said, clambering across the tree.

From above, Hanzo saw the pony and dragon being assaulted by plants. They looked like deranged venus fly traps. He jumped down and drew his blades, slashing away at the attacking plants. When more came after him, he hurled balls of Hellfire at them, burning the plants to a crisp. But they wouldn’t stop coming. They were just like the dark roots and branches, only these were more hostile. Scorpion let out another powerful Hellfire burst like before. Thankfully, it didn’t drain him as much as it had earlier, but the fight was still taking a toll on him. He couldn’t hold out forever; not at the rate of the plants’ attacks. Hoping to attract the attention of the other ponies not far away, he shot a stream of Hellfire into the sky as a beacon.

“Hanzo, behind you!” Spike shouted. Scorpion was too slow. One of the plants slapped him aside. As he tumbled across the ground, another plant ensnared him, and started blasting him with poisonous gas. He struggled to get free, but the gas was knocking him out. Twilight tried blasting the plants with her magic, but she was too weak.

The plants cornered Spike as well. He couldn’t do a thing to stop them. “Help!” he cried out.

Just before the plants were about to finish off Twilight, a vine whipped through the air. It roped around the fly trap, closing its mouth shut. “Listen here, ya rabid rhododendrons! You mess with one of us, ya mess with all of us!” Applejack shouted to the plants. Pinkie Pie blew into a party horn for some added effect. The plants roared at the girls.

“Up here!” Rainbow Dash said, flying towards the plants. She flew passed two of them so quickly that the plants tied each other up in a tight knot.

“Yoohoo! Come and get me!” Pinkie cried out, leading one plant across the field.

“Don’t forget about me!” Rarity shouted, doing the same. Fluttershy and Applejack joined in as well. By the time the group had finished, the plants were completely tied up, unable to move at all.

“Ta da!” Pinkie cheered. One last plant got loose, but before it could snap at Pinkie, Twilight blasted it to pieces. Spike and Hanzo helped her to her feet.

“We sure are glad you came lookin fer us,” Applejack said.

“Not as glad as we are that you found us,” Twilight said.

“Took you all long enough,” Hanzo joked.

“Eh, better late than never,” Rainbow Dash replied.

“The truth of it is, we were simply lost without you two,” Rarity said.

“Ahem,” Spike muttered.

Rarity giggled. “And you too, Spike.” The dragon smiled in response.

Rainbow Dash landed beside the rest of the group. “Heh, yeah, Equestria may need its Princess, and Equis may need its Protector…”

“But we need our friends,” Fluttershy finished. The group joined together for a hug before moving on to the Tree, which Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie had found already.

The Tree of Harmony would otherwise be a magnificent sight, but the group found it grossly entangled by the dark roots of the Everfree Forest. Twilight stepped forward, examining the tree. Hanzo readied his Hellfire, but Twilight quickly stopped him. “I don’t think that’s going to work, Hanzo. You could damage the tree,” she told him.

“Then what do we do?” he asked. Twilight looked back at the tree. She flew in close to it, looking at the symbol in the middle, which resembled her own cutie mark. As she went to touch it, branches wrapped around her hoof. She flew back and zapped them off with her magic. The roots then covered up the center of the Tree. Twilight looked around at the Tree, wondering what she could do.

She turned around and landed near the rest of the group. “I know how we can save the Tree. We have to give it the Elements of Harmony.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Rainbow Dash interrupted, landing in front of Twilight. “How are we supposed to protect Equestria?!”

“How are we supposed to reign Discord in without the Elements to turn him back to stone?” Rarity asked.

“Twilight,” Applejack started, stepping forward, “the Elements of Harmony… they’re what keep us connected no matter what.”

“You’re right about one thing, Applejack; the Elements of Harmony did bring us together. But it isn’t the Elements that keep us connected. It’s our friendship, and it’s more important and more powerful than any magic. My new role in Equestria may mean I have to take on new responsibilities, and our friendship may be tested, but it will never, ever be broken.” She then turned to Hanzo. “And I think Equestria will be just fine without the Elements. Hanzo, I know it’s a lot to put on you, but the protection of Equestria may rest heavily on your shoulders now. You won’t be alone, but there may be more for you to do. I’m sorry to put this on you.”

Hanzo stepped forward and kneeled in front of Twilight. He removed his mask. “When I came to Equestria, it was with ill intent. That intent is gone. All I want now is to see this world and my friends safe and happy. So long as I live and breathe, no harm will befall this land, or any land in the realm of Equis. You’re not pushing anything on me, Twilight. It’s already a part of my duty. Whatever we must do to save Equestria now, then we will do it. Who am I to stop that?” He smiled at her and nodded.

She did the same. “Alright. There’s no time to lose. Everypony ready?” Twilight said, flying into the air.

Hanzo and Applejack joined the rest of the group in a line. “Ready!” they all said in unison.

Twilight removed all of the Elements from the girls’ necklaces. She then removed her own Element from her crown. They all spun around her in magical fashion. Multiple vines snapped out at Twilight. They wrapped around her, and tried to grab onto the Elements. But before they could, Twilight pushed the Elements towards the Tree. She placed each one in its respective spot. The slots closed around the Elements, locking them in place within the Tree.

The Tree of Harmony was once again filled with power and magic. It flashed brightly. The magic reached out into the forest, and beyond into Ponyville. The dark roots and plants were being destroyed. Twilight flew back over to her friends. As the bright light dissipated, the beautiful Tree came into view. Beside it, two clumps of plants remained. They began to disappear, and from the roots came Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Twilight ran forward to hug them both.

“We know how difficult it must have been to give up the Elements. It took great courage to relinquish them,” Celestia said. The group looked back at the Tree. Something was happening to it.

From the five outer Elements came colorful rainbows. They moved into the center, where Twilight’s Element was. From there, the rainbow moved down the trunk of the tree. Symbols of the sun and moon lit up. The rainbow finally moved down to the roots. From there, a pink sprout grew out of the ground. Twilight stepped forward and touched it. It opened with a flash of light. Inside the plant was a chest.

“What’s inside it? How am I supposed to open it?” Twilight asked.

“Six locks, six keys,” Luna stated. They both turned to Celestia.

“I do not know where they are, but I do know it is not a mystery you will not be solving alone,” she said, stepping aside. All of Twilight’s friends looked to her with smiles on their faces. Twilight smiled right back at them.

The group moved above ground. They found the sky to be filled only by the moon, now. It was night time. As well, the dark, spiked clouds had disappeared. The Tree has dispelled all of the dark magic. With the threat eliminated, Celestia and Luna returned to Canterlot. Hanzo and his friends made their way back to Ponyville. As they exited the Everfree Forest, two banners with the group’s faces on them and confetti fell from above, a party horn rang out, and signs saying “#1” shot up from the ground.

Discord appeared before them. “Bravo, everypony, bravo! However did you save the day this time?! Blast the beastie with your magic necklaces, I presume?” He magically appeared on Applejack’s back in a cowpony getup. “Where are those little trinkets of yours?” he asked, holding up AJ’s hair. “You know, the ones you use to send me back to extremely uncomfortable stone prison."

Applejack sighed. “Gone.”

Discord reappeared a few feet away from them. “Gone?!” he said with a chuckle. “Gone…?” He had an evil grin plastered across his face.

“But our friendship remains,” Fluttershy said, flying up to him. “And if you want to remain friends, you’ll stop thinking whatever it is you’re thinking, and help us clean up.” As she spoke, Discord shrunk in size before magically disappearing.

He reappeared full size in a maid outfit. “Fine. But I don’t do windows,” he said, making his way into Ponyville. The group followed behind him.

Hanzo couldn’t help but laugh. Twilight looked at him with a smile. “What’s got you laughing?” she asked him.

“That was very well-handled,” he answered, still laughing.

“I try,” Fluttershy said with a giggle.

“I’m just happy this is all behind us now."

“Well, perhaps not completely behind us,” Twilight said.

“No, I suppose not. What do you think is in the box?” Hanzo asked.

“I don’t know. But it’s like Princess Celestia said; it’s a mystery we won’t have to solve alone. But now that this whole ordeal is over, it’s time to get ready for the Summer Sun Celebration!”

“Still nervous about that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Pfft, hardly. With everything we just went through, I couldn’t be less worried about the Celebration.”

“One thing I don’t get,” Applejack started, “why’d all this happen now?”

“I have no idea,” Discord answered. “Those seeds I planted should have sprouted up ages ago.”

“What did you say?!” Twilight shouted.

“Oh, why should I try to explain it when you can see for yourself?” The potion from earlier appeared in Discord’s hand. He gave it to Twilight. After she took a drink, her eyes went white. “Well, obviously, things didn’t go according to my original plan,” Discord continued. “My plunder seeds should have stolen the magic from the Tree of Harmony and captured Princess Celestia and Princess Luna thousands of moons ago. Alas, it seems the Tree had enough magic to keep the seeds from growing up big and strong! Until now, that is.”

Twilight shook off the magic. “You realize this is information we could have used hours ago?!”

“And rob you from an important lesson about friendship? What kind of friend would do something like that?” Discord joked, pulling at Twilight’s cheek.

“Discord,” Hanzo spoke blankly.

“Yes, Scorpion?” he replied with a grin. Without another word, Hanzo delivered a swift roundhouse kick to Discord’s chest. The draconequus rolled a few feet away, smashing into a tree. “Please, shut up.”

“Oh, alright, I suppose I deserved that,” he said, rubbing his head. The group joined together in laughter at Discord’s dismay.

“Now, let’s go home and get to fixing Ponyville. We have a celebration to prepare for.” As they walked back to Ponyville, the group remained close together, in a unified manner. Hanzo couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Twilight asked, nudging him.

He turned to her with a smile. “I was just thinking of how lucky I am.”

“Lucky?” Pinkie questioned.

“Of course. I’m the Protector of Equis, a world unlike any other. I safeguard something so pure and serene. And I’m surrounded by the greatest friends I could ever ask for. Together, we just saved Equestria. It is a good feeling. And though this life isn’t always easy, I wouldn’t want it any other way. And I have all of you to thank for that.” Everypony smiled at him.

“You only have yourself to thank, Hanzo,” Twilight said. “You chose this life, and you deserve it. And really, we should all be thanking you. Were it not for you, I don’t know if we’d have saved Equestria.”

“Well, it is what I do. It’s what we do,” Hanzo said.

“Exactly,” Applejack said with a wink.

Hanzo chuckled. “Knowing that my friends are safe and happy is thanks enough. Knowing this world is safe is thanks enough. I need no remuneration or praise. Besides, I’m sure you would have found a way to save the day. You faired very well before I arrived.”

“Still, thank you, Hanzo,” Twilight said.

The group joined together for a quick hug before continuing on into Ponyville. When they arrived, they found there wasn’t as much damage to the town as they thought there would be. The primary problem was the plants, but they had all disappeared. Most of the damage came from broken windows and slightly cracked walls and roofs. The clean-up was quick and easy. And, though he said otherwise, Discord did indeed help fix the windows.

Once the repairs had been made, the gang and many other ponies from Ponyville headed into Canterlot for the big ceremony to begin the Summer Sun Celebration. The crowd that had formed was huge, with ponies from all over Equestria. Hanzo (now wearing his more casual clothes) and his friends found a spot up front, where they could see the Princesses perform the ceremony. Twilight stood at the side of the stage, ready to do her part. Soon enough, trumpets started blowing, and the ceremony had begun.

The crowd watched in awe as Celestia and Luna took to the stage. Behind the Princesses were the symbols of the sun and moon. They stood with their wings full span. “Citizens of Equestria,” Celestia started, “it is no longer with a heavy heart, but with great joy that I raise the summer sun. For this celebration now represents not the defeat of Nightmare Moon, but the return of my sister, Princess Luna.” Everypony in the crowd cheered.

Luna lifted herself into the air. Using her magic, she began to lower the moon. Celestia then jumped into the air, and using her magic, she raised the sun. Just as the two celestial objects were parallel to each other, Twilight flew into the sky and shot out a burst of magic where the sun and moon met. The energy took the form of her cutie mark. And as her magic dissipated, the moon left the sky, and the sun shined brightly.

Twilight, Celestia, and Luna landed on the stage, smiling at each other. Twilight then turned her gaze to the crowd. She quickly spotted her friends, who were smiling right back at her. Hanzo’s smile was especially comforting to Twilight. It was the kind of smile that said, “I’m proud of you,” and she smiled back, in way that said, “Thank you.”

When the ceremony was over, everypony from Ponyville returned to the town for a huge party. As Hanzo celebrated the raising of the summer sun with his friends, he took comfort in their presence and joy. And at the end of the day, he and his friends sat atop the roof of his home. They could see all of Ponyville in one direction. In the other, beyond the horizon, was the rest of Equis. And Equis was Hanzo’s to protect. And that didn’t scare him, because he knew that even though the responsibility was his, he would never have to face the task alone. His friends would always be by his side; their most recent endeavor proved just that. They would always be together, and they would always protect each other.

And as the Protector of Equis, Hanzo would always protect his friends. He would always protect the realm. No matter the cost.

Author's Note

Yes, I call it a rockodile. Honestly, I don't know why they didn't call it that in the show. It makes total sense. It was a crocodile made of rocks. Come on! That kind of pun is right up the My Little Pony ally.