Return to the Mirror Universe

"So the if ahm gettin this right, the four virtues and Chrysalis took the evil out of King Sombra, and put it in a tree?" Applejack asked.

"That's the long and short of it." Twilight said. She lounged on her reading couch and continued to study her notes. Now that they had reached their hideout, her true plans could finally be set in motion. The hideout was a small unnasuming brick house in Ponyville, with one way windows so the residents of the quaint little town wouldn't be able to see that the most wanted criminals in Equestria were hiding in their midst. The mane 6 had furnished their residence lavishly in a simple fashion, as suited to their whims and needs. A set of hammocks hung from the ceiling where Rainbow Dash lazed, watching her moustached turtle, Tank, slowly crawl toward her. Rarity's section of the house sparkled with precious jewels, small trinkets and other valuables she greedily squirreled away or had managed to charm from their previous owners. The newest addition was the solid gold captain's badge glittering on her desk that her cat, Opal, played with. Applejack kept her section sparse, except for a few books on pony phscology (which Twilight had already read) and bluffing. A few photos of her family were plastered on the walls, Applejack's favorite being one of her sister Applebloom pushing a classmate named Diamond Tiara into a mud puddle, with an orange pegasus and Rarity's sister Sweetie Belle laughing in the background. Her dog, Winona was outside, growling maliciously at any passerby who gave the house so much as a glance. Fluttershy on the other hand, kept her pets inside, mostly so she could "play" with them. A miserable looking Angel bunny struggled with a leash that clung tightly to his furry body. The other animals were too scared to help, and mostly just stayed in their cages unless Fluttershy called/threatened them. Twilight liked to think she kept her section organized. At least, as organized as a full-time magic reseacher could be. Her space was strewn with notes and books, along with complicated devices that did anything from taking measurements to reading minds. The latter sadly was still highly unpredictable, as when it tried to read Pinkamena's mind it immediately short circuted. However the most important notes were levitating next to Twilight as she conducted their meeting at the center table, which they used for anything from playing cards to planning a new scheme.

"Gilda, the virtue of Temperance, Trixie, the princess of Humility, Derpy, the virtue of wisdom and Sunset Shimmer the virtue of altruism." Rarity counted off stacking some bits from her coin purse with her magic. "Four more ponies -and griffin-  we'd have to contend with in your ghastly 'revenge against the Princesses' plan.

"Yeah really I'd rather get back to causing some mayhem like we used to! Half the time I feel like I'm too cool to hang out with you losers anyway." Rainbow Dash added as she lazily munched on a hay bar.

Twilight was starting to get annoyed with their doubts. Her plans were full-proof. They always were, until some stupid random variable like Rainbow Dash threw her a curveball she couldn't account for. She levitated the hay bar out of Rainbow's grasp and tossed it in the trash.

"Hey I didn't finish that!" Rainbow whined.

"I'm not talking about making a few bits Rarity, or simple mayhem like usual. I'm talking about real POWER!" Twilight said the last word with emphasis and desire. The true reason she studied magic, or teamed up with these half brains was to gain the power she deserved as the most intelligent pony in Equestria. Unfortunately she hadn't gotten the type of attention she wanted, and ended up being arrested when she should have been put on a pedestal for her intellect. "Those fools cured Sombra thinking they had gotten rid of the problem, but they didn't get rid of the evil energy, they AMPLIFIED it. Once we gain the power from the tree, we'll be unstoppable, the most powerful beings in all Equestria!"

Fluttershy raised a hoof. "I for one am all for it. With that kind of power, we could really ruin alot of ponies' lives!" She grinned evilly, licking her lips in anticipation.

"That don't sound too bad... maybe I could finally make Equestria appreciate the beauty of a good bluff." Applejack said hesitantly.

Pinkamena sighed and chimed in, "I approve." Everyone turned to her in surprise, and she just shrugged. Pinkamena rarely approved a mission, instead just going along with whatever the others had planned. When she did suggest a mission, it usually ended up bringing a lot of grief to many, many ponies. Last time they had gone on a Pinkamena mission, they had caused a drought to the entire town of Appleoosa by corrupting the water supply. Pinkamena said it would improve their cider sales, which it did, but Twilight saw many crying fillies and families, aching with starvation and desperation. While Rainbow Dash and Applejack sold their black market cider, Pinkamena had just stood in the streets and... watched... the misery and heartache of the residents. She didn't seem to enjoy it (Pinkamena couldn't enjoy anything, Twilight had learned from experience), but she had a spark of... justification... in her eye, as if she was proven right about something. Twilight was so creeped out and disheartened by the experience that she couldn't bring herself to repeat the plan again next year.

Twilight pushed aside her thoughts for the moment. Pinkamena was up to something, but she would figure out what later. "That's four votes for, including mine, and two votes against. The mission is approved!" She slammed a hoof down on the table, indicating the decision was final.

"Oh fine... where are we going oh fearless leader?" Rainbow Dash asked sarcastically.

"The Everfree Forest." Twilight answered, her mind already whirling with possibilities.

One stealthed train ride, and a mass teleportation spell later, Twilight found herself staring up at the Everfree forest. The tall trees made for an intimidating presence, and cries of animal life punctuated the silent atmosphere.

But Twilight knew they had nothing to fear. The forest was well lit and ordered according to her research. They would have no trouble from the wildlife either, as most animals stayed well clear of Fluttershy if they could help it. The ones that fell under the sway of her intimidating stare were to be pitied immensely.

Twilight motioned the group forward, and they began trotting into the embrace of the giant trees. Sure enough the forest was as pleasant as Twilight had read, with plenty of sunlight filtering in through the tree canopy and only the occasional tittering of a  one bird far away. At one point Twilight heard the growl of a grizzly bear turn into a yelp.

Fluttershy smirked and said in a singsong voice, "Oh Mr. Bear! Where are you?" Twilight heard a frantic thumping sound as the bear bolted for its life.

Later into their journey, Rainbow asked for the 50th time (Twilight counted), "Are we there yet?"

Twilight would've normally ignored her like all the other times, but felt that number 50 deserved something special. She channeled her magic and with a sudden yell of surprise Rainbow found herself magically pinned to a tree. "If you ask me that again I'll turn you into a toad. I already told you what we're looking for is at the heart of the forest."

"Okay okay! I'm getting splinters here!" Rainbow Dash complained. Twilight released the pegasus and kept walking.

"Ahm actually curious about that. Ah thought you said they did this whole 'freeing Sombra' business by the edge of the forest." Applejack asked.

"A reasonable question. Sources of immense magical power that are not living beings tend to place themselves at the center of the nearest wellspring of magical energy. The Crystal Sword for example, locates itself at the center of the Crystal Empire." Twilight answered.

"Um, is it just me, or did the forest start to get a lot spookier?" Rarity commented. "Maybe we should've brought Spike after all."

"No, it has to be six ponies for this to work. It has to be six and only six." Twilight reiterated. Spike's presence could bring unexpected changes... unexpected variables, something Twilight didn't like. She did notice that Rarity was right about the forest. As they kept walking, the trees grew dark and looming, sunlight slowly reduced until they were in absolute darkness, and she could here the howls and grunting of creatures she guessed she would not want to meet. Behind her she heard stumbling and cursing as the others tried to navigate in the dark. With her magically enhanced vision she had no trouble seeing in the dark, but for her companions' sake she lighted her horn, illuminating the path ahead.

Suddenly, alarms started blaring all around her. "Drat! I must've activated a ward that's supposed to detect magic!" Twilight panicked. "HIDE!" The pegasi naturally flew up into the trees, Rarity with her slender form was able to hide behind a tree trunk, and... Twilight thought she blinked, Pinkamena seemed to step out view for a second and suddenly not be there at all. Twilight quickly cast a spell of invisibility around herself, leaving only a confused Applejack looking around desperately. Suddenly there was a rustling ahead of them, and four armor clad guards stepped out. Twilight cursed her lapse in judgement. Of course the Princesses wouldn't just leave the tree unguarded. Twilight could only watch as the guards approached Applejack.

Thinking quickly, Applejack started cowering on the ground, tossing her hat to the side. "Oh please don't hurt me!" she wailed.

"Who are you! What are you doing this deep in the forest?" one of the guards asked authoritatively.

"Ah was travelin' with my family but we got separated! Please I just want to go home." Applejack cried convincingly.

"A likely story! The ward detected an intruder." the guard said.

"But look sir, it's kinda dark, but I'm pretty sure she's got no horn, or wings. She's an earth pony, how could she have set off the ward?" a younger sounding guard asked.

"Hmm alright you make a good point. Take her home then, we'll keep searching the perimeter. The other patrols will be around in case your family turns up miss."

"Oh thanks sir! Ahm a might grateful." Applejack said sweetly. The guards gave her a quick nod and left her with the younger guard.

"Come on then miss, lets get you home. Say, we never did get your name." the guard said casually.

"Applejack." she grinned.

"Apple- wait a second aren't you-" he was cut off by a swift stunning spell from Twilight.

"Well I have to say Applejack, your lies actually saved our rumps there." Twilight said sighing with relief. Applejack grinned as she dusted off her hat.

The ponies continued on (Pinkamena seemed to reappear once the guard were dealt with), until they found their path blocked by a ferocious chimera. The snake tail hissed, "Our lunch hassss arrived!"

"Delicious!" the tiger head growled in agreement.

"I'd prefer cheese." the goat head said. The mane 6 backed up fearfully. Twilight shot a stunning spell at the chimera, but it simply bounced off.

The creature laughed, "That won't work missy, our hide is as tough as any magic you can throw at us." the tiger head mocked. The chimera advanced growling menacingly.

Suddenly Twilight saw Fluttershy gallop in front of them, coming face to face with the hybrid creature. She stared furiously at it, locking her eyes in a death stare. The chimera stopped advancing, and started clutching its eyes in agony. "P-Please stop! I'll do anything please!"

Fluttershy walked over to it and began gently stroking its head. "There there, now I know you'll leave us alone, because if you don't I'll-" The next part was so sickening that Twilight was tempted to retch. The chimera ran off, with Fluttershy kicking its flank for good measure, laughing.

"Wow that was... amazing Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash said in wonder.

Fluttershy giggled, "Sometimes all an animal needs is a little taste of cruelty until they see things my way." As they continued on, it seemed to Twilight that nothing could stop them. Pinkamena managed to turn the local tribe of Antelope against the guards. Rarity managed to steal a river serpent's gem right from under him, leaving him frantically searching for it while they stealthily crossed to the other side.

Finally, they reached a dead end. The path ended, and the foliage around them was so dense that even Twilight's light spell couldn't show most than a foot ahead of them. "NO! It's got to be in here!" Twilight said dismayed.

"Looks like you were wrong Twilight. Again. I'm outta here losers." Rainbow Dash tried to stretch her wings, but the dense shrubbery of the forest prevented it. She shrugged and trotted off in a random direction.

Twilight was furious. Not only had her plans failed and they were trapped in a wild forest, now even if they found the tree it wouldn't matter because they wouldn't have six ponies. All her research had told her that six was key to gaining the tree's power. Suddenly she heard a yell from Rainbow through the foliage.

Twilight brushed aside her thoughts and pushed through the foliage, followed by the other four. She saw that Rainbow had fallen into a clearing. In front of her, was a massive red tree, with wicked black thorns and vines growing around it. It pulsated with throbbing magical power, so much so that Twilight could feel the evil energy radiating off of it. They had finally found it. The Tree of Disharmony.

"So um, what do we do? How do we get the energy?" Rarity asked.

Twilight, for the first time in her life, said, "I dunno..." The rest of the ponies joined Rainbow Dash in the clearing, who was simply staring in awe at the pulsating tree. Twilight shot a bolt of purple energy at the tree, expecting the tree to connect with her innate magical ability. Instead, the bolt was reflected back as a dark black stream of energy. It hit a nearby tree, causing it to wither and die. So much for that idea.

"Ah dang nabbit. We find the tree but we can't even get the energy! Horseapples!" Applejack cursed tossing her hat in frustration. She looked up at her bare mane with disdain and immediately put it on again. Fluttershy kicked the tree angrily. Twilight was about to tell her off, when she noticed a yellow gem on the tree glint with a blinding sparkle. Curious. She looked at the different branches of the tree, each adorned with a separate gem. Five gems, each the same color as one of us. But I know for a fact six was the key number. The history books always associated the number six with magic...

She noticed something curious about the shaping of the bark. In the middle of the tree, the bark had shaped itself into a star... the same as her cutie mark. A smile of realization spread on her face. "Everypony, we have to touch the tree... at the same time Fluttershy." Fluttershy was preparing to kick the tree again. The six ponies all trotted up to the tree and laid a hoof on it.

Suddenly the tree shook violently, causing everypony to back up hastily. As Twilight predicted, the gems on each of the branches popped off, each floating to it's respectively colored pony.

"Ooh a gem, for me?!" Rarity said as she greedily snatched it up in her hooves. The gem glowed and morphed into a locket with the gem encrusted. "An accessory too! How wonderful!" Each pony touched their gem and it morphed into a golden locket with a chain. Rarity tried to grab for the nearest locket besides her own, Fluttershy's, but it emitted a shock and pushed her back.

"Ah'd better put it on ah reckon." Applejack reasoned. As soon as she fastened the locket, her eyes turned white and she was lifted off her hooves wrapped in magical energy.

Twilight grinned widely. "Applejack, for lying in the face of danger, I name you the element of... DECEIT!" Applejack's magical aura glowed orange, pulsating with energy like the tree. Fluttershy rapidly fastened her locket, before Rarity could make another grab for it. "Fluttershy, for scaring away your enemies with the threat of pain and torture, I name you the element of... CRUELTY!" Fluttershy glowed yellow, a harsh, unrelenting yellow, like the sun beating down mercilessly. The others had followed suit, and were now glowing white with magic. "Pinkamena, for spreading anger and sadness to the Antelope when they threatened to stop us, I name you the element of... DESPAIR!" She glowed pink. Twilight thought she could hear the sounds of cries and screams emanating from somewhere. Meh, probably her imagination. "Rarity, for callously stealing the serpent's gem and keeping it for yourself I name you the element of... GREED!" Her glow stayed white, but glowed brighter like a diamond. "Rainbow Dash, for abandoning your companions when all seemed lost, I name you the element of... DISLOYALTY!" She glowed a bright blue.

The center of the tree cracked open, exposing a purple star that morphed into a golden locket encrusted with the star gem. She levitated it to herself and fastened it to her neck. "And for years of seeking the recognition that I deserve... I am the element of... POWER!" She noticed herself being lifted into the air surrounded by a purple glow.

"Together we are a force more powerful than any being in existence! We are THE ELEMENTS OF DISHARMONY!" A wave of magical energy shook all of Equestria, as Twilight Sparkle laughed.