Elements of Infinity

The first thing Twilight noticed was the hate. Every sentient creature in the universe hated--hated other people, other races, other species. They hated people with different views on religion, politics, even sports. The universe was filled with hate. It was overwhelming, and for a moment Twilight almost lost hope.

The second thing she noticed was the grief. Even those loners who tried to cut themselves off from all ties had people they, despite themselves, cared about. Everyone in the universe had lost to Thanos. And underscoring their grief was another hate, stronger and deeper than any other, hate towards whatever had done this to them. Few knew of Thanos by name, fewer that he was the one responsible for what had happened, but they still hated whoever or whatever was at fault.

And then, as one, they noticed her, and they waited for her to speak.

She didn't speak in words. None of them would have understood her. Instead, she spoke in concepts and emotions. But if it had been words, it would've sounded like this.

I know you've all lost people. I have, too. I can't promise to bring them back, or to fix everything. But I can defeat the one who did this to you. I can make sure he never hurts someone again. And I can make him pay. But for that, I need your help. I need you to join with me. In Harmony.

A few tentative, quiet voices began to follow her. In Harmony. More joined the chorus. In Harmony. Across light-years, the Elements joined them all together, enemies and friends. Their voices rang out together with the voices of those they hated. In Harmony. In Harmony. In Harmony.

In Equestria, deep within the Everfree Forest, Discord felt the chorus, rippling through the universe like a tide. He felt it, and he shed a tear of joy, which gleamed like gold in the sun as it fell. From the place it landed, golden light radiated out like waves in a pond. Spiky vines vaporized under the current, and timberwolves howled. The magic of Harmony drowned the Everfree in light.

Thanos saw none of this. All he saw was Twilight's eyes glowing and her hooves lifting off the floor as the Elements of Harmony glowed brighter and brighter. He charged forward, attacking again and again, but every move he made fizzled out when it got within a few feet of her. In rage, he turned to the people, gathered nearby again, seeking to disrupt their chanting. It was like hitting a solid wall. Nothing he did even got close to them.

Twilight opened her eyes and saw his feeble attempts. "You can't stop this with them. The entire universe is moving to oppose you, in Harmony."

"Then I'll just have to destroy the other half of the universe!" He raised his fingers to snap, but Twilight was faster. The Harmony Gauntlet fired a single, concentrated beam of light that washed over him like a pebble on a beach. When it had passed, the only thing in front of her was a large pile of dust, the Infinity Gauntlet lying on top of it. How fitting.

The chorus of the universe faded. Its task was done. Twilight trotted up to the pile and picked up the Infinity Gauntlet. With a deep breath, she slid it on her other hoof, and it changed to fit perfectly. Again she felt the rush of power, but it was muted by her determination and the urgency of her purpose. The entire universe grieved. She had to at least try to stop it. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and focused her whole attention, her mind, heart, and soul.

Then she clapped.