Elements of Nature - Fall Of Equestria

**********Equestria - Equus 42 - Ponyville Royal Library**********

"...and that is the end of the story."

Several "aww's" and "come on's", coupled with a "just one more" could be heard among the foals as their storyteller wrapped up his tale. One in particular tugged on the hem of the white leather coat that splayed out on the floor underneath him as he sat indian style. "Mithter Wind, ith it true that your God thent hith Thon to pay for the thinth of the whole world?"

The stallion, now identified as Mister Wind, ruffled the colt's mane. "Why yes, little one. It is. He died and rose again, conquering death, Hell and the grave." The colt's eyes widened like saucers and several of those listening let out "oooo's".

One in the background, a bright yellow pony with a cherry red mane and equally red bow yelled out in a deep country accent, "Mah fish died. He ain't never come back. How do you conquer summ'm lahk that?" The four fillies sitting around her nodded in agreement. One had a pastel white coat and a two-tone purple and pink mane, another had a bright orange coat with equally bright purple hair, the next was pink with a purple and white mane topped with a tiara, and the fourth was dark gray with a two-tone light gray mane, blue glasses and necklace.

The storyteller chuckled. "That's something you'll learn in Sunday School." With that, all five of them let out a collective "awww".

A few minutes later as the last of the foals were being picked up by their families, he was organizing the contents of his satchel on a counter when he felt two strong arms wrap around his waist, two soft mounds press against his back and and a soft kiss placed on his neck. He didn't even turn around as he chuckled once again, for a different reason, "Hey you."

"Hey, Darlin'" came the happy response, the accent thick with southern drawl. "I was a-passin' by when I saw the lights still on. Thought I'd give ya a visit 'fore I headed upstairs. I thought y'all'd be done by now. I know Lulu and Twi prolly got dinner already on the table."

He turned around and looked at his wife with a small smile. She was wearing her normal garb, a red plaid button down shirt with the sleeves torn off at the biceps along with her Daisy Duke shorts. Finishing the ensemble was her customary Stetson which covered braided blonde hair that draped around her shoulders and down her back. As stunning as always, he thought. "Well, the little ones were especially eager to have me recount yet another Bible story to them," he responded as he wrapped his arms around her waist in kind.

Applejack giggled. "And I know y'all were too eager ta indulge 'em."

Mr. Wind feigned shock. "Why, AJ! You used a grown-up word! Is Twilight getting to you?"

The cow-mare laughed heartily, ensuring there were no foals around before mashing her husband on the lips in a deep, passionate kiss, then lowering his upper half almost to the floor in the way a sailor would kiss a girl coming home from war. He loved it when she did that.

When the kiss was finished, she looked in his steel blue eyes with her bright green ones. "So, big man. Are ya comin' upstairs or what? It's gettin' late." Indeed, the sun had set and both of them saw a flash outside the window followed by the light of the moon. AJ lifted her husband up and they both looked out at the Princess of the Night as she walked off the upper balcony back inside. Applejack sighed contentedly as she held him close. "Ah never thought I'd be in a herd, David. Let alone with a human stallion leadin' it." She pecked him on the lips once more before walking back to the door from whence she entered.

Before she left, she turned around at the doorway, looking at him with an appraising, loving gaze. "You workin' as the library custodian seems ta be helpin' ya after you took down them terrorist junkies, Sugarcube. Y'all are settlin' in mighty fine."

He smiled at her, but before he could respond, a bright light shone in the room, followed by the unmistakable sound of Celestia's voice. "David Wind, Hero of Air, I request your aid. My Equestria has come under assault by a force that we have not yet seen, so much so that Tirek pales in comparison. Please, if you can help us, come quickly." He looked and he saw his token which he had sent into the multiverse floating in front of him, shining brightly. It was circular, a black and white Yin and Yang medallion.

David looked at AJ with that look...the same look he had before he took on the Terror Ponies. AJ recalled the threat, terrible equines loyal to Tirek and all that stands for him, desiring only to check everyone on Equis into the Afterlife Hotel. She sighed and nodded. "I know I ain't gonna be able ta stop ya, Sugarcube. Y'all hurry back, ya hear?" she said before walking over to him and pecking him on the cheek.

He nodded to her, caressing her face gently. "Tell Lulu and Twi I'll be back soon, and that I love them." He turned to the token. "I accept the summons." With that, he and the light were gone.

**********Equestria, Equus 58, Canterlot Castle**********

Celestia sighed after she sent the summons. The one thing about displaced summoning was that one never knew if the displaced accepted the summons unless they showed up. She leaned back in her chair in the large study, the only place she knew of where she wouldn't be disturbed.

"Do you think he'll come?" A voice that was usually jovial asked in a too-somber tone.

Well, almost not disturbed.

She sighed again, deeply this time. "I don't know, Discord." She looked distantly at the fire crackling in the hearth. "I really don't know."

The Draconequus, with a grave look on his face, nodded slowly before slinking back into the shadows. He ripped open a tear in space time with his claw and stepped into the multiverse fabric. After ringing a doorbell that appeared out of nowhere, another Discord showed up. "Ah, 42. How goes it?" he asked the newcomer.

'42' shook hands with himself - literally - before detaching one to float over to his counterpart, who shook the flying appendage. It disappeared and a new hand grew on the 42 discord. "Very well, 58. And you?" he said.

Plush armchairs materialized under each of them and they started puffing on bubble pipes which they took from their respective ears, then played a silly game that vaguely represented chess. 58 responded after they both - somehow - managed to checkmate each other simultaneously. "Well, we have another Caribou crisis on our hooves." He sat back and puffed on his bubbles some more before dispelling the chess board. "They've set magical dampening spells and runes all across the country somehow. They just barely started attacking and their mages are using the Fel. I'm using what little magic I have left to come here and inquire on the summons which my Celly sent to your Displaced."

42 lowered his pipe and looked at 58 directly. "The Fel is nothing to play with. Using the souls of the living as power." He scoffed. "Now that's just cowardly, and no fun at all!" A monocle appeared over his right eye. He summoned a filing cabinet and opened one of the drawers before pulling a file out and inspecting it. "Hmmm, let's see...yes yes yes...Ah! Here," He traced his hand on a paper in the folder as he spoke, "Your Celestia summoned a displaced, and he accepted." He leaned back in his armchair after dispelling the monocle and filing cabinet, then shook his head. "Those Caribou..." he smirked, "I almost feel sorry for what's about to happen to them."

58 raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Pray tell."

42 shook his head. "Your magic is barely hanging on. You have to get back before it's too late. Just..." he looked off into the void thoughtfully before looking back at his doppelganger, "Be ready. I've seen a lot of heroes. Some merciless, some benevolent. This one..." he shook his head... "is a whole different breed." He then gave a burst of images to his counterpart before disappearing back into his universe.

58's eyes widened and he was dropped back in Celestia's study with a *POOF*

The diarch jumped at the sudden interruption - again - and began to scold the Lord of Chaos. "Discord, wha-" she stopped short when she saw that he was as pale as fresh snow - literally. He looked up at her from his prostrate position on the floor and she saw what was in his eyes.

Fear.

Pure, unbridled fear.

He whisper-yelled at her in an uncharacteristically scared tone, "What have you done?!"