Elements of Magic

After dealing with lots of problems regarding relationships, Spike crashes in his bed with his comic book exhausted from having pressure put onto him. Ever since Twilight could not return from Canterlot, only Spike was in charge of doing all of the dirty work around, besides taking care of the CMC including Flurry Heart. While reading his comic page by page, he imagines fighting off the menacing enemy with amazing power.

Meanwhile in Canterlot, The Mane 6 are held hostage along with Shining Armor, Cadence, Celestia, and even Luna. Twilight struggles to try to get out with her magic, but to no avail she gives up. Out of the shadows comes a familiar figure.

"Chrysalis?!?!" Twilight shouts.

"Oh... It seems you recognize me after I've been through some changes."

"You will not stop us ever!"

"Tsk tsk tsk. Discord can't help you, instead I've given him a special place by making him do slave work for the rest of his life!"

"Why can't you just give instead of take?"

"I chose this path, because I was meant for feeding off of affection."

"This is not how you should be."

"Too bad your friend Luna tried convincing me to change my ways."

"Look at the mess you've made. This is not how we should resolve things."

"Enough talking. How about telling where this baby alicorn is at."

"She is not yours to keep." Said Cadence.

"Tell me now. Or else there will be consequences."

"No. As the mother of a foal, I refuse to let somepony take away the life of one thing." Without hesitation Chrysalis picks up Shining Armor and holds him up in a very high place.

"If you don't tell me, he will fall to his death."

"Fine. Spike took her with him."

"That's not all I needed to know. Now tell me where she really is."

"I don't know."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm being serious! I don't know where she went."

"Fair enough." Chrysalis lowers Shining to the ground and orders her new henchmen to search for the others. As they search, Doctor Whooves stays put in the circle of salt until no other demon could see him. Apparently nothing bad could happen unless one were to brush it off creating an open area for attack, but then he thought about wearing garlic around his neck as a way to keep them off his hooves. After hours off looking, the henchmen come back with bad news.

"The baby was not seen anywhere."

"Keep looking. If you have to leave Canterlot, go ahead! I want the baby here now!"

"By all means mistress." The army scatters out to find what's out there along with some new recruits for more power.

Back in Twilight's Castle Spike reads on until he hears yet another knock on the door. "Wonder who it is this time." Spike thought to himself. Upon opening the door he see's lots of panicking ponies screaming at the top of their lungs. Before he could guess what's going on he see's many calling out for help at the gates. When the commotion gets even louder Spike yells "Quiet".

"What is going on?" Amongst the horizon, he see's an army of the monsters he saw back at Canterlot. "Everypony take shelter here! Do not leave this place unless it's safe to do so!"

"How do we fight them?" Asked somepony.

"Work together." As they storm through the doors, Spike decides to take action and seek out another area that nopony else would expect. Spike packs provisions along with a survival guide in order to keep them from losing each other. Without warning he gathers the CMC along with Flurry Heart. Before they were about to ditch the castle for themselves, Apple Bloom questions Spike's odd behavior.

"What in the hay is goin on?"

"No time to explain! We need to go now before one of those evil beings attacks us!" They run off to the Everfree Forest only to find out that there is nowhere else to go. After some hours of walking, Sweetie Belle experiences big pain on her back left hoof.

"Sweetie Belle! Are you ok?" Spike looks at her hoof to find out that she has a little scratch with blood coming down. He quickly grabs a disinfecting solution and dips a cotton ball in there and rubs it on her. Sweetie Belle begins to shed tears of sorrow while Spike treats her wound.

"Hey. It's going to be alright. You are in good hooves."

"It really hurts."

"I know it does, but I can't let you suffer like this. If this were to get infected, I bet you would never have it again."

"I don't want to live like this."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but we have to keep moving until this new enemy leaves for good." Spike finishes cleaning up and wraps some bandages around the hoof and uses a few branches, along with some string to hold together the support for her hoof. While they walk further a shadowy figure appears. Spike stands his guard and gives a pretty dirty look.

"I'm not afraid of you! Come at me!"

"There is nothing to fear, for that it is me right here." Said a familiar voice.

"Zecora?!?!"

"Come with me, here is not where you must be." Inside Zecora's hut were ingredients, food, pots, books, and even some gemstones, which made Spike crave a little, but he held it back.

"There is a confession I must make, so you must not do anything else but partake."

"What is it?" Said Spike.

"Long ago, there was something that held great power to those who had unique features, but the only way to obtain it was to master it from the bottom to the way up. Nopony else could use it, except some who were worthy.

Earth was the element of strength. It's main focus was somepony who had no wings, nor horn, except a very sturdy body.

Fire was the element of courage. Only one with true will to sacrifice themselves for the sake of others could control it.

Wind was the element of agility. Not all possess the talent to do such movement without their wings.

Water was the element of beauty. Whenever light shined on it, it sparkled with true elegance.

However, not all could hold it, due to it's immense power and responsibility. So they kept it hidden from the public to see, hoping that nopony else would ever cause destruction. When I was a filly, I've learned how to manipulate this power, but I could not use it completely."

"Are you saying that only one of us can use these elements you speak of?"

"Yes. Each one of you holds a certain key to an element, but I will not give you a hint."

"So when do we train?"

"Once you completed a list of chores, then you will be able to open certain doors."

"Aw man..." Apple Bloom said unenthusiastically. When the list of chores were given, all had to do as they're told to without any complaints. As for little Flurry Heart, Zecora used simple techniques that are known to help foals control their magic. Spike decides that if he is going to learn how to control his element, he would need to do his list of chores correctly and hope that Zecora would be willing to accept his request. The Cutie Mark Crusaders instead argue about who does what chore causing a bit of a riot.

"How come you're giving us more chores to do?" Sweetie Belle shouted.

"Because you can't handle all the heavy work as well as I can!" Apple Bloom yelled.

"Oh yeah?! What about the chores that you are supposed to do?" Scootaloo blurted.

"I ain't doing anything easy!"

"Well don't expect me to give you some of my chores!"

"Then Maybe Sweetie Belle could spare me some."

"I'm not going to let you get through her!"

"Fine let's make a bet! If I finish half of my chores first, then you have to do the rest!"

"Alright. If I finish half you will have to do all of mine and Sweeties." Within seconds both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo begin rushing through without putting in enough effort to finish. As for Spike he gets through most of his chores without taking any breaks, but Apple Bloom crashes into some of the hard work he's done making Spike head back and redo it. Things get rough when Scootaloo and Apple Bloom begin to interfere with each others chores. Suddenly things get worst between the two and a fight breaks out. After hearing enough racket Zecora walks out to see that some of the chores are not done.

"What is with you two? There is more important things to do."

"She wanted to do all the so called heavy work." Said Scootaloo.

"Enough is enough, this is not a race to see who is tough. This is about focus and quality. It is very important for one to have a balanced body." Spike on the other hand finishes his last chore ready to start training, when suddenly he see's the CMC having a bit of trouble.

"Zecora?"

"Yes Spike?"

"I know my chores are done but..."

"But what?"

"I do not wish to leave these three alone while I learn."

"Spike. You must focus on your training and let them finish up their cleaning."

"Fair enough. I will accept your request and know the ways of my element."