Nightmare Moon's laugh is completely drowned out by the sound of thunder, her form obscured by the flashes of lightning. Ponies are in a state of utter panic, galloping for the exits in a mad dash for safety. One pony stands out above all the others, trying in vain to maintain a state of order.

'Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!' the mayor yells to royal guard.

They mobilise quickly taking flight and bravely flying into the storm to try to subdue Nightmare Moon.

'Stand back, you foals!' Nightmare Moon yells back at the guards, her eyes aglow.

The lightning intensifies, bright flashes bursting forth around her. Several manage to strike the guards whom fall from the sky dazed. Nightmare Moon's mad laughter rings out one final time as the dark blue mist wraps around her. It quickly turns her into mist herself and shoots for the doors, throwing them open as she makes her escape. The woman turns just in time to see Rainbow Dash break free from Applejack's hold and fly t the windows, the intent clearly visible.

'You're coming with me!' the woman hears.

She turns and notices a shaking Twilight. Twilight grabs the woman's arm with her hoof before galloping to the exit, pulling the woman with one hoof and carrying Spike with the other. The woman stumbles as she tries to keep up with Twilight, almost losing her footing several times. She looks up and notices the smoke flying off into the forest and a small blue pegasus looking down at them. She quickens her pace.

Twilight and the woman keep running until they reach the tree Twilight was staying in. A ray of magic shoots from Twilight's horn, magically throwing the door open as the two sprint inside. The doors slams shut with a loud bang. They stop and bend over, gasping for air as much from fear as from the run. Twilight turnson the lights before rushing upstairs, leaving the woman alone.

The woman turns her gaze from the stairs to the walls. Eyes wide and mouth open as she notices the only piece of furniture to decorate the room. Bookshelves. Walls lined with bookshelves, each one neatly with books, not a single one out of place. She approaches walks around reading some of the labels in awe. 'Daring Do, History of the Wonderbolts, and Slumber 101. These ponies have everything' she wanders aloud.

She turns, feeling herself drawn to something on one of the shelves. A tug on her mind, a voice in the distance pulling her closer and closer. She nears the shelf and immediately sees the book. She stares at it, stock still, hypnotised by some unseen force on her consciousness. She closes her eyes as a slight pressure forces itself onto her mind. The Elements of Harmony. From the legend. Why would I-

'Good, you're still here,' Twilight says from the bottom of the stairs, 'now why don't you tell me what's going on'

The woman spins around jaw clenched at the accusation.

'Why would I know what's going on?' she growls back venomously, 'you're the one with all the information. You knew this would happen. You knew who that, that thing was'

'I knew who she was because I did my research, I saw what no one else did, I watched you and still it happened' Twilight says back tears in her eyes, 'I failed to stop this, I failed' she says quietly.

'Then let me help you, I don't know where I am or what is going on but I can still help,' the woman pleads.

'I'm sorry, I cant let you help I still don't know where you came from, or how you're mixed up in all this. You could cause more trouble even if you don't mean to,' Twilight says before the woman can object further. She turns and starts pulling books off the shells.

'No, no, no, come one!' Twilight yells, 'Elements, elements, elements... Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?' she asks to no one in particular, but a voice answers.

'And just what are the Elements of Harmony? And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy?' Rainbow Dash asks rising above Twilight, glaring down at her.

'Simmer down, Sally,' Applejack says yanking her away from Twilight, 'she ain't no spy. But she is,' she says turning towards the woman.

The woman looks around and realises it isn't just Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but Fluttershy, Rarity and that odd pink pony are all there too. Rainbow changes tactics and swoops down coming face to face with the woman.

'So you're the spy then. What did you do and why did you do it?' Rainbow growls menacingly, the woman takes a step back.

'I've already explained I don't know what is going on, I just arrived yesterday,' she says. She spots Fluttershy cowering from Rainbow's anger and decides not to bring her into it.

'Stop, please, that is if you wouldn't mind,' Fluttershy whispers in the lull, 'I saw her hurt in the forest and brought her here. She has no memory and besides she doesn't seem like she wants to hurt anyone,' Fluttershy finishes as she notices everyone looking at her.

'Well if she doesn't know what's going on, I'm bettin' you do,' Applejack says looking once again at Twilight.

'I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!' she cries out in frustration.

The pink pony bounds over with a familiar book in her mouth.

'The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide' she says letting Twilight take it.

'How did you find that?!' Twilight gasps in surprise.

'It was under 'E'' the pony sings hopping around the room like a child.

'Oh,' Twilight opens the book and begins reading, 'There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now the Everfree Forest. Where you were found,' she finishes looking at the woman.

'That can't be a coincidence,' the woman says.

'You're right,' Twilight confirms nodding, 'the only thing left to do it seems is to go and collect them'

'I'm coming with then, maybe whatever that brought me here will send me back if I help,' she says looking back and forth between the book and Twilight.

'Maybe,' Twilight says putting her hoof on the woman's shoulder.

Twilight puts the book back on the shelf and the group leaves for the Everfree forest.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................

The group soon comes to the border of the Everfree Forest All the ponies come to a halt working up the courage to make the first move. Oddly enough the pink one is the first to move, bouncing on all four legs into the forest.

'Whee, let go!' she calls out.

'Not so fast. Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own,' Twilight looks at the woman, 'for the most part.

'No sense putting all of you in danger,' she nods towards the others.

'No can do, sugarcube,' Applejack says, 'we sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place, even with her,' she says acknowledging the woman 'we're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple,' she finishes looking at the rest of her companions.

They all nod in agreement banishing any objection that might have been raised.

'Especially if there's candy apples in there,' the pink one exclaims looking at the others, 'what? Those things are good,' she says before bouncing into the forest.

And so the group ventures forth into the Everfree Forest. During the day this place was almost peaceful now it seems cold and crushing. Something is off about this place and I don't think it's from Nightmare Moon. The woman is lagging behind the rest of the group and spots the pink pony slowing down to match her pace.

'Hello there,' she greets the pony for the first time.

'Hi,' the pony greets happily, 'I'm Pinkie Pie, what's your name?' she asks.

'I don't remember,' the woman replies.

'How can you not remember your own name silly?' she asks still bouncing up and down.

'Well I can't remember anything,' the woman replies. A flash of pain shoots through her skull she closes her eyes and her jaw clenches. Then just as suddenly as it came, it vanishes.

'Well if you remember how you lost it maybe you can remember how to get it back,' she giggles.

The woman watches as Pinkie Pie catches up to the rest of the group. That pony is really weird. How can she be laughing and smiling at a time like this. It could be some kind of coping mechanism or even magical in nature. Before she can dwell on this any further something hits her forcing her to stop.

Panic grips her. she freezes in place unable to move as her heart speeds up in terror, the pressure from the library mounting in her head. Something is coming, something dangerous. She frees herself from the panic, racing to catch up to the ponies, to warn them.

'Look out,' she yells interrupting their conversation just a they approach the edge of a steep incline.

A crack forms in the ground and an ear splitting crash rings out as the ground falls from beneath their feet. The ponies begin sliding down the steep incline formed while Rainbow and Fluttershy take to the air.

'Fluttershy! Quick!' Rainbow yells out diving down as fast as she can towards Pinkie Pie.

'Oh my goodness, oh my goodness,' Fluttershy cries out before lifting Rarity out of harms way.

In the mean time the woman uses her hands and feet to slow and control her descent, the sharp rocks rubbing her flesh raw and cutting her arms and legs. She looks down and realises that the other ponies have no such ability, their legs and hooves not built for such things. Taking a deep breath she rolls onto her back and slides down towards Applejack and Twilight.

Applejack manages to grab a hold of an exposed root with her mouth but Twilight is falling closer and closer to the edge. Just as Twilight begins to go over, the woman reaches her gripping Twilight's forelegs tightly. Applejack slides down as well taking over one of the legs.

'I don't think we can pull her up,' the woman grunts, 'I'm not strong enough,' she says beginning to sweat.

'Applejack! What do I do?' Twilight asks her breath becoming more rapid.

'Let go,' Applejack tells her, voice calm but firm.

'Are you crazy?' Twilight yells back.

'No I ain't. I promise you'll be safe,' Applejack says.

'She's right,' the woman says looking down at Twilight, a peace enveloping her mind.

'How can you know?' she asks the woman, fear in her eyes.

'I just do,' the woman replies, straining to maintain a grip.

'Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe,' Applejack says looking down at Twilight calmly.

Twilight takes a deep shaky breath, closes her eyes and let's go. Immediately she starts to scream, falling quickly towards the ground when she stops. Both Rainbow and Fluttershy are holding her up on either side. She breathes a sigh of relief before falling another few metres.

'Sorry girls. I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two,' Fluttershy says cheeks turning pink.

Applejack turns to look at the woman.

'How did you know she would be okay?' Applejack asks.

'I just knew she would be, I can't really explain it,' the woman shrugs.

Applejack turns away before jumping onto several ledges before reaching the ground. The woman looks down and begins her slow descent when two arms grab hold of her. They pull her off the cliff face and gently lower her to the ground. she turns around and sees Rainbow behind her.

'Thanks,' the woman says but only receives a nod in return. She looks around and finds all the other ponies staring at her. 'What's going on?' she asks.

'When we were up there you seemed to know that something bad was going to happen right before the cliff gave way. How did you know it was going to happen?' Twilight asks, her voice badly masking the accusation.

'You're wondering if I caused it. Well I don't think I did. Just before it happened I got the sense that we were about to be in grave danger and tried to warn you. I didn't know what was going to happen just that something would' the woman explains trying to maintain her composure.

'How can we trust you?' Rainbow asks moving past subtleties and into straight forward accusations.

'Because otherwise I wouldn't have warned you,' she replies meeting Rainbows eyes.

'Hard to argue with that logic,' Twilight speaks up, 'are we out of danger?' she asks the woman.

'I'm not sure but I will let you know if there is if I sense any,' she says warily eyeing the others.

'Good enough for me,' Rarity says putting her arm on the woman's shoulder.

The group marches on having to navigate the valley floor now, stretching the journey out. The woman walks along trying to keep up but her injuries are slowing her down. The ponies are remarkably unharmed from the near death experience but her human flesh is much softer than the pony equivalent. Fear grips her heart again but this time it feels weaker though the pressure climbs once again. It might not be weaker, I might be stronger the woman thinks to herself.

'It's happening again, I think there is more danger-' she is cut off as a roar burst forth from the undergrowth followed by crashing sounds.

'It would be nice if your sense could give us more notice next time,' Rainbow yells as a hideous animal hybrid burst forth from the trees to the left, blocking their path. The creature has the body of a lion, the tail of a scorpion and dragon-like wings bursting from it's back. A manticore, this place is just getting weirder and weirder.

'We've gotta get past him,' Twilight yells as it charges towards them.

Rarity spins around and bucks it square in the jaw.

'Take that, you ruffian!' she yells out confidently.

The manticore roars right in Rarity's face completely unfazed by the assault and sends her running off in terror. As the ponies continue to fight their way past the ponies the woman notices something about it. She hears Fluttershy desperately trying to get the attention of the others as she focuses on a brand new feeling. All the noise seems to vanish from the scene and it becomes clear. The manticore isn't angry I don't think its scared hurt she thinks. Pain shoots through her skull and all the noise comes flooding back. She tries to let the group know when an unlikely voice cuts through everything.

'WAIT!' Fluttershy yells causing everything to stop.

Fluttershy slowly approaches the manticore as it roars at her defiantly. It rises up and prepares to swing it large claws at her when she nuzzles its hand. It stops, looks at her and shows her it's paw. Sure enough a large black thorn is lodged deep into it's flesh causing a significant amount of pain.

'Shhh... It's okay. Oh, you poor, poor little baby,' Fluttershy says soothingly.

'Little?' Rainbow asks in disbelief.

'Now this might hurt for just a second,' she says as she pulls the thorn it quickly.

It roars deafeningly loud, all its previous roars seem like whispers compared to it. The woman watches in amazement as the creature picks Fluttershy up and licks her mane lovingly.

'Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are,' Fluttershy giggles at the thank you.

The group easily walks around it as it lowers Fluttershy carefully to the ground.

'How did you know about the thorn?' Twilight asks mouth hanging open.

'I didn't. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness,' Fluttershy responds with a smile on her face.

As the group continues to move Twilight looks at the woman.

'Did you know about the thorn?' she asks head slightly tilted.

'While you were all fighting the noise seemed to stop and I could sort of tell it wasn't angry but hurt again not specific though,' she answers back, 'is this significant do you think?' she asks Twilight.

'I'm not sure,' Twilight replies turning away, the hurry to catch up to the rest of the group.

The woman turns hears something and turns around just in time to see a cloud of blue smoke rise from the thorn on the ground. As the smoke disappears into the forest the woman looks back to the ground, except the thorn has disappeared. She shivers and follows the rest of the group.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................

The group continues their journey through the Everfree Forest, having made their way out of the valley they have come to a thick part of the woods. A part where the path is all but gone, overgrown and choked by plants. Even at night, the other part of the forest were still full of the noise of nocturnal animals. Here however the trees seem to block all sound. Yet the group perseveres, pushing forward.

'No,' Rarity finally cries out breaking the silence, 'my eyes need a rest from all this icky muck,'

The trees begin to close together, the branches seem to mingle and intertwine, cutting off the light given by the moon and stars.

'Well, I didn't mean that literally,' she says looking around as it proceeds to get darker and darker.

The group pushes forward however progress is slow. It is so dark that they keep bumping into and nocking each other over. The woman however has no better eyesight than the ponies but she has what they don't. Using her hands she is able to feel her way forward, making sure she doesn't hit anything. Applejacks voice rings out over groups mumbled apologies.

'Oh wait, I think I stepped in somethin',' she says with an audible note of disgust.

Fluttershy suddenly screams, this close and after so much silence, it is deafening. It reverberates off the trees lasting too long to be natural.

'It's just mud,' Applejack says in scraping her hoof along the ground as she approaches Fluttershy.

Applejack screams as well, not as loud as Fluttershy but still enough to startle the rest of the group. A glow seems to be emitted from the clearing they have found themselves in, casting an eerie light over the trees. At first the woman sees nothing dangerous or even frightening, but looks closer. Carved into the trees are faces, holes in the centre with sharp teeth and what angry looking eyes. Despite being made of wood they scare her. They seem so lifelike, and those eyes. They seem almost alive. The trees give off a loud grown and chaos erupts.

The ponies begin screaming and huddling together, the woman remains more composed but her fear is climbing by the minute. She closes her eyes and tries to calm herself down.They're not real. It's just a trick of the light, the growling is nothing but wind passing through the holes. She is startled to hear one of the ponies start laughing at the situation. She opens her eyes and spots Pinkie Pie on the other side of the clearing laughing and making goofy faces at it. She's gone into hysteria the woman thinks shaking her head as she hears another laugh. Wait, not hysteria, that laugh has actual joy to it, she actually think this is funny.

'Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!' Twilight yells at her.

'Oh girls, don't you see?' Pinkie says giggling again, 'When I was a little filly and the sun was going down' she starts singing.

She's singing now, this pony is just absolutely crazy as she watches the pony leap into the tree branches

'The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown,' Pinkie continues interrupting the woman's thought head poking out in front of the ponies.

'I'd hide under my pillow, from what I thought I saw

'But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way to deal with fears at all' she continues singing.

'Then what is?' Rainbow Dash interrupts.

'She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall learn to face your fears,' Pinkie continues, 'you'll see that they can't hurt you just laugh to make them disappear,' as she bounces over to the nearest tree.

'Ha, ha, ha!' she says as she stop singing.

The woman looks on in amazement as the face that seemed carved out of the tree disappeared. Magic

'So, giggle at the ghostly, guffaw at the grossly, crack up at the creepy, whoop it up with the weepy, chortle at the kooky, snortle at the spooky,' Pinkie sings again as the others laugh as well.

The woman looks at the tree that had scared her only moments before.

'Ha, ha, ha,' she says tentatively, it stares right back at her.

Some of the others laugh and the face disappears in a puff of smoke. The woman turns around with a shrug. Must be some kind of pony related magic she sighs.

She wanders over towards the group of ponies who have collapsed giggling into a circle. She looks down at them with a smile. They really are quite charming people, or ponies. Maybe this place isn't so bad after all.

'We should get moving,,' she speaks up over their laughter.

'You're right,' Twilight says getting up, 'we must be getting close now everyone,' she says as the group continues on through the forest.

After several minutes the forest thins out letting more light in and returning the sounds of animals to the ponies. Everyone visibly relaxes except for the woman. She looks around feeling noting but sadness and loss.

'Everyone, a new feeling I'm getting here,' she stops the group, 'not danger but sadness. I think we should be on the look out in case someone, erm, somepony needs our help,' she tells them.

They all nod and exit the undergrowth before finding the trail. After several minutes the forest stop and in their path lies a river moving so fast is looks to be boiling.

'How are we gonna cross this?' Pinkie Pie asks looking around.

'Can rivers get sad?' Rainbow mocks.

'No, but a river monster can,' she says pointing as the sound of crying reaches them.

There, just beyond the tree line, is a large purple river monster with orange hair. It is crying and thrashing all over the place while moaning the same thing over and over.

'What a world, what a world,' the monster cries out slamming it arms into the water again and again.

'Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?' Twilight speaks up getting his attention.

'Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved moustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid,' he says pointing at a jagged moustache. He cries out before splashing water over the group.

'Oh gimme a break,' Rainbow mumbles

'That's what all the fuss is about?' Applejack asks shaking her head.

'Why, of course it is. How can you be so insensitive,' she says coming to the monsters defence 'Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales,'

'I know,' he says sniffing

'And your expertly coiffed mane,' she continues.

'Oh I know, I know,' he says running his hand through his hair.

'your fabulous manicure,'

'It's true,' he says.

'All ruined without your beautiful moustache,' she finishes.

'It's true, I'm hideous,' he cries out bursting into tears again.

'I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected,' she says determinedly, with a sudden lunge she grabs a hold of one of his scales before pulling it off.

'What did you do that for?' he yelps in pain.

Rarity ignores him and before anyone can object cuts off her own tail reducing the curled and expertly crafted purple tail, to a crude mess, a third of its original size. Using her unicorn magic she perfectly intertwines the hairs until her tail has all but replaced the torn off half of the his moustache.

'My moustache,' he gasps rearing up, 'how wonderful,' he beams.

'You look smashing,' Rarity says looking up at him.

'Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail-' Twilight starts.

'Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back,' she says sadly giving her tail a flick.

'So would the tail,' Rainbow mumbles under her breath.

'We can cross now. Let's go,' Twilight says wading into the river.

She lurches into the air as the river monster bends his body to creating stepping stones for them to cross. The ponies easily hop from one to another while the woman struggles to maintain balance. When she finally makes it to the other side she looks down and notices her feet are cut from the monsters scales. She turn and looks up at the monster.

'You said you saw purple smoke right?' she asks the monsters.

'Oh yes, the colour was simply horrid, there is no way I would forget it,' he confirms before disappearing beneath the surface.

'Listen up everyone,' the woman call out to the ponies, 'it seems Nightmare Moon has been manipulating these events to try to stop or slow us down. She caused the cliff to collapse, she hurt the manticore, she enchanted the trees and she ruined the monsters moustache. We should keep a look out for anything suspicious and avoid it,' she tells the group. They all nod in agreement before following the path into the forest.

Several minutes pass before the castle finally comes into view, just a shape in the fog, it is clearly evident they have arrived at their intended destination.

'There it is, the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!' Twilight yells excitement in her voice as the fog begin to clear

She starts to gallop towards the beginning of a bridge stretching across a ravine between the castle and the ponies. The woman sprints the exhaustion vanishing in a burst of adrenaline. Just as Twilight reaches the bridge, she cries out in fear. Her forelegs going over the edge. Instead of the bridge stretching all the way across it simple drops off.

'It must have frayed over time before finally giving out,' the woman observes pulling Twilight back with the help of Rainbow.

'What's with you and falling off cliffs today,' Rainbow jokes.

'It might not just be today,' the woman replies smiling at her.

'Now what?' Pinkie Pie sighs looking at the other side.

'Duh,' Rainbow smirks flapping her wings. She dives down into the fog and pulls the other end of the bridge up and across the gap.

After a few seconds the first rope becomes taut. A few more seconds pass and nothing from the other side. The fog begins to close in, even through it conversation can be heard from the other side.

'Rainbow, what's taking so long?,' Twilight calls out. She glimpses something before the fog thickens from a cloud to a wall, 'oh no. Rainbow! Don't listen to them' she calls out.

'What is it?' the woman asks gripping Twilight's shoulders.

'Some sort of ponies clothed in black racing gear, I think they're trying to get her to abandon us,' Twilight replies, her voice trembling.

'She'll pull through,' the woman says reassuringly.

'Let me guess, you just know?' she asks, 'how can you be so sure?'

'I don't, I just know she won't leave,' the woman replies her voice calm and composed in contrast to Twilight's.

'How?' she says not accepting anything else.

'Look,' the woman points.

Twilight turns and watches the fog clear and Rainbow fly over to their side rearing up onto her hind legs, all smiles.

'See? I'd never leave my friends hangin',' she declares proudly.

The group cross the bridge single file before walking up to the castle. The woman pulls Twilight aside as the rest open the doors.

'Whatever happens in there, I'll be by your side,' the woman says. She closes her eyes as the pressure inside her skull climbs until she feels as if her head is two sizes too small.

'I appreciate it,' Twilight thanks the woman. Twilight puts a hoof on her shoulder, 'Are you okay? you look like you're in pain,' Twilight asks, her eyes full of concern.

'I'm fine, just a headache is all,' the woman reassures her. They both continue up the steps and follow the group inside.

As they cross the threshold the woman looks around in amazement. Despite the crumbling masonry, collapsed wall, and partially missing roof the castle still retains enough of its beauty to render the woman speechless. In the centre of the room is a large ornate fountain like object with five stone spheres.

'Whoa,'' Applejack gasps in wonder 'come on, Twilight. Isn't this what you've been waitin' for?' she says gazing at her.

'The Elements of Harmony, we've found them,' Twilight exclaims happily.

'I expected the elements of harmony to look more like crystals rather than stone sculptures,' the woman says in confusion. She walks around the pedestal counting as she goes. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Wait a minute.She counts a second and a third time, the number never changing. Before she can speak up the pegasi begin lowering them.

'Careful, careful!' Twilight warns them.

'One, two, three, four... There's only five!' Pinkie tells Twilight.

'Where's the sixth?' Rainbow says looking around in confusion.

'There's another one up there,' the woman says pointing at one the others had missed.

'The book said 'when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed',' Twilight reminds the woman.

'It might not actually mean reveal,' the woman explains, 'riddles usually talk in metaphors, it might mean the nature of the sixth to be revealed,' the woman suggests.

'Why would we only hear about it now,' Twilight counters.

'Think back, the prophecy said the sixth was a complete mystery, but for ponies to know here was, it must have a corporeal form,' she replies as Rainbow brings the last one down.

'What in the hay is that supposed to mean?' applejack asks her, as confused as the others.

'She said that for us to know it exists, we must be able to see it or see it's effects,' Twilight explains.

'So how do we use these?' Applejack asks

'I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen,' Twilight replies concentrating.

'Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate,' Applejack says leading the others away.

As they near the door, the woman hesitates. Something feels off about all this. It can't be this easy. Nightmare Moon has tried to stop us every step of the way, why would she- a noise interrupts her thoughts. She spins around and spots what appears to be a small localised blue tornado beginning right where the elements are.

She sprints back into the main hall just as Twilight realises what is happening. The woman hears Twilight cry out in shock but ignores her. She leaps for the nearest element just as Twilight jumps as well. Just as they enter the tornado, it emits a flash of light and they both vanish.

As they overcome their disorientation and their senses return the woman looks up and spots a tall dark figure with blue smoke and the elements floating around her. Flashes of lightning and light her up.

'Nightmare Moon,' the woman whispers in fury.

'Thank you for revealing the elements to me strange creature,' Nightmare Moon laughs.

'You were in my head, you were watching us the whole time, stopping me from sensing how to overcome your challenges,' she yells, almost screaming at the pony.

She watches as Twilight steps forward and prepares to charge.

'You're kidding. You're kidding, right?' Nightmare Moon asks with disdain.

Twilight's horn glows and she charges. Without any hesitation both the woman and Nightmare Moon follow suit. The ponies lower their heads and just as they meet Twilights horn flashes and she teleports to the elements of harmony. Clever girl the woman thinks, easily side-stepping the stunned pony. She rushes over as Twilight begins to perform the spell on the elements.

The woman arrives as the elements begin to glow. She stands back to let Twilight work when Nightmare Moon appears in a flash of smoke in front of Twilight. Before she can do anything however Twilight finishes the spell and a spark throws her across the floor. Nightmare Moon turns to the woman and casts a beam of magic at the fallen pony.

Time slows as the woman realises the ponies intention. The magic shoots from her horn in a great bolt of lightning, the woman dives in front of Twilight without hesitation, receiving the full shock to her body. She is immediately thrown across the room to the opposing wall. She slams into it at a high speed, just barely remaining conscious. The woman looks up at Nightmare Moon. Even though she can't see what is going on, she knows the pony is angry and scared.

'No, no!' she yells her voice reverberating around the room. The elements suddenly stop glowing and become still again.

'But where's the sixth element?' Twilight cries out her voice shaking.

Nightmare Moon laughs loud and long, as she rears up. With a quick thrust her hooves slam into the ground, shattering the elements.

'You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!' Nightmare Moon laughs again much louder this time.

Twilight gallops over to the women, who is struggling to remain conscious. Her wounds have reopened and her head is starting to hurt.

'You're hurt. Come on let's get you out of here,' Twilight says attempting to lift the woman up. As she does the woman experiences a sensation of peace as her vision blacks out. Instead of sleep or unconsciousness she experiences a vision.

She sees the journey fold out in it's entirety. She Applejack save Twilight, Fluttershy help the manticore, Pinkie Pie defeating the enchanted trees. She relives sad serpent, and the broken bridge. Over it all she hears the name of each element repeated over and over. She is jolted back into reality as Twilight finally manages to lift her up.

The woman pushes herself away from Twilight before collapsing against the wall. She pulls Twilight's head closer to hers.

'The elements, Twilight. That wasn't them' she tells her.

'What? How could you possibly think that,' Twilight asks in disbelief.

'All those elements are emotions or behaviours, they cant be touched but they can be felt. They live on in all of you,' the woman gasps in pain.

Before Twilight can learn anymore she is interrupted by the rest of the ponies running up the stairs calling out to her. Realisation hits her like the lightning bolt. She turns from the injured woman and gallops back to Nightmare Moon.

'You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here,' she challenges as her friends charge up behind her.

'What?' Nightmare Moon yells out in blind rage. The shards from the elements lift up and begin to glow

'Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty!' she says as the shards surround Applejack.

'Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness!

'Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter!

'Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... generosity!

'And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty!' Twilight finishes. The woman looks around and sees the shards floating around the ponies.

'The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us,' Twilight yells defiantly.

'You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!' Nightmare Moon cries out pointing at the final shards.

'But it did! A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!' she says, her eyes brimming with tears. The shards fly up and form back into the stone they once were. Its light shines, lighting up the rest of the room.

'You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!' Twilight exclaims. The shards begin to glow brighter and brighter. The shards circle and close in on the ponies leaving decorative jewellery in its place. The orb touches Twilight horn, gifting her with a crown. The ponies rise up above the ground and gather into a group. The light becomes blinding.

The elements release two beams of rainbow coloured light into the room, wrapping around each other in the shape of a double helix. They crash down on Nightmare Moon.

'Nooo! Nooo!' she cries out in fear as they form a tornado around her, a beautiful parody that she made around the elements. The woman watches speechless as the light envelops Nightmare Moon. Out of the corner of her eye she sees a bright tendril of magic creeping closer to her. It reaches out and touches her chest. Her wounds begin to heal, the pain in her skull leaves her, her bruises disappear. As it envelops her, she finally passes out.

When she next comes to she sits up quickly. She looks around and spots the fallen ponies, each one coming to simultaneously. She stands up and rushes to help the ponies to their feet, hooves. They sit up groaning and complaining. All except Rarity.

'Oh, thank goodness,' she beams hugging her newly fixed tail to her.

'Why Rarity, it's so lovely,' Fluttershy says quietly.

'I know! I'll never part with it again,' Rarity says admiring her tail.

'No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark,' Fluttershy says pointing at the diamond embroidered necklace.

'What? Ooh,' - she says looking down with a gasp - 'so does yours,' she points.

As each pony admires their own necklace Twilight approaches the woman.

'Are you okay?' she asks placing a hoof on her shoulder, 'last I saw you were badly hurt,'

'I'm fine,' the woman says turning around, 'that light healed me, I'm still a little sore, and quite stiff but other than that-' she stops as Twilight gazes at her mouth open.

'What?' she asks Twilight.

'You represent an element of harmony yourself,' she gasps pointing.

The woman gazes down and realises that she is wearing a small necklace. A light gold chain with a colourful moon hanging from it.

'What do you think it means? I mean there was never any mention of a seventh, and yet here I am,' the woman says.

'Gee, Twilight! I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship,' Applejack says.

'Indeed you do,' says a calm and soothing voice from behind the group. They tur and watch as the sun quickly rises up high into the sky, a sphere of light passes through the window and bursts forth leaving a tall white unicorn, pegasus mix with a colourful flowing mane. The ponies kneel in respect, the woman following suit.

'Princess Celestia,' Twilight gasps trotting over to her

'Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student. I knew you could do it,' the princess says hugging Twilight close.

'But... you told me it was all an old pony tale,' Twilight looks up in confusion.

'I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will as well. Princess Luna!' the princess says walking up to a small blue pony.

'It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister,' she says kneeling in front of the fallen princess. the group lets out a collective gasp but remains quiet.

'Will you accept my friendship?' Celestia says standing over the pony.

'I'm so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister!' the smaller pony says crying into her sisters neck.

'I've missed you, too,' Celestia replies.

'Hey, you know what this calls for? A Party,' Pinkie yells breaking the spell.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................

Back in Ponyville the Summer Sun Celebration is well under way, the ponies have been reunited and the two royal sisters are the centre of attention. The elemts have also been handed over to the princess for safe keeping. The woman remains at the sidelines waiting for a break in action to talk to the princess. She watches as the princess declares Twilight remain in Ponyville to study friendship, she watches as Luna is welcomed back with open arms. As the focus shifts from the princesses to the celebration the woman speaks up.

'You brought me here, didn't you?' she asks Celestia.

'Yes, I did,' Celestia replies with a sigh.

'You knew there were seven elements the whole time didn't you?' the woman questions her again.

'Yes, I did. I kept it a secret though, I knew that if Luna knew there were seven, she would be able to destroy them. So I made sure to specify that there were only six,' she replies.

'My last question is why me?'

'I didn't try to summon you in particular and I didn't know the effect it would have on you. You see, you represent the element of knowledge. Knowledge is when to use each on to maintain the balance. When to act, when to wait. You are more attuned to the world around you, able to perceive emotions better than others, at least in this world.

'When I brought you here, I knew that you that you came from another world and implemented measures to make sure that you were integrated into our world. This led to your amnesia. I'm sorry,' the princess apologies, eyes full of sincerity.

'Can I be sent back?' the woman asks anticipating the answer.

'Maybe not to your own time or place but I can let you leave this one if you wish. Or you can stay here?' she asks.

'Are you sure about this? My species has overrun our world. Taken over every corner of the globe. We are too smart for our own good, we have ruined our world, killed millions of species of animals and are almost always at war amongst ourselves,' she explains, 'what if I am more trouble than I am worth?' she asks.

'If you thought to ask the question and explain all of that, then I am confident that you will fit in here,' she winks at the woman.

'I am still different, what will I do?' the woman asks sadly.

'That is for you to decide. You will need a name however, you guided the others through hardship, using your knowledge to guide the way. A beacon of hope in a dark time. Therefore you shall be called 'Aurora Blossom' in hour of this,' the princess declares, 'and from this day forth you shall remain right here in Ponyville if you so choose.

'Thank you princess,' Aurora bows.

She turns away and spots the others. She walks over to them.

'Hello,' Twilight greets her.

'Hello,' she says waving.

'Now that all this is over, I suppose you will be leavin'?' Applejack asks.

'The princess has granted me permission to remain her in Equestria,' she says, 'I'm thinking of staying here in Ponyville. Any thoughts?' Aurora asks.

The ponies immediately surround her and give her a large group hug. She returns the affection as they welcome her.

'I'll take that as a yes' she laughs.

'If that's the case darling, the you should take this,' Rarity says holding out a bag.

Aurora open it up and sees a fancy and extravagant soft yellow dress with undergarments and footwear as well. She picks it up and holds it over her form.

'Thank you Rarity. I love the colour, but is there anything less flashy?' she jokes.

'I suppose I can do such a thing for you,' Rarity replies shaking her head.

'If you're staying here, you need a name then,' Twilight says to Aurora.

'Celestia already gave me one. 'Aurora Blossom'. Apt don't you think?' she asks the group.

'It definitely suits you,' Rainbow nods in agreement.

'I suppose this means we're all friends,' Aurora beams.

'Darn right sugarcube,' Applejack laughs.

'This really is a party,' Pinkie yells jumping up and down.

'Now, where's the food, I'm starving,' Aurora says.

'Why don't we give you a proper tour,' Twilight suggest.

The ponies all nod in agreement before pulling and pushing her through the village. This place really is beautiful, I think Ill enjoy living here she smiles.

Author's Note

Third chapter and is essentially the end of the introductions. Warning, I never messed with the canon in this. There were in fact 6 of the stone orbs on the pedestal-like object in the foyer, you can count them. However the sixtth was never used, I did however which neatly slides in the seventh element, only activated by the presence of Aurora (and the spark). Not only that but the explanation kind of makes sense. I actually had to rewatch the episode several times to make sure there definitely were 6. As for the question which ends in a says, it was rhetorical so that's why.

Shout outs:
Thanks so much to Cloudy Serrano for the advice on my story telling.
Thanks again to Halo456 for helping me come up with the name, check out his story 'The creator's story act one'.