A Second Chance

Josh paced back and forth in front of the two tall white doors that stood before him, standing on the opposite side of him was Twilight and Spike. He was inside of Canterlot Castle and he was standing in front of the throne room, Josh had traveled with Twilight to apply for citizenship. It was a bureaucratic mess and he had been meeting with different ponies whom he had assumed were diplomats and had been answering questions for what he counted to be about 5 hours. Now he was waiting on Celestia's decision on his application.

"Your really stressing over nothing." Twilight said, as Josh continued to pace.

"Am I? Because considering most of the ponies I met with had to confirm with you that I'm not making "Canada" up and the fact the choice to allow me to apply was a 3/2 vote, I don't think it's a lot of nothing." Josh said, his voice was quick.

"He's got a point." Spike added on.

Twilight rolled her eyes, "Not helping Spike." She said, "Look I'm sure this can be pretty stressful and I can't say that I understand because I have never done this, but what I can say is that I am sure Celestia trust you as much as I do." Twilight smiled, "And I am sure you will be fine."

Josh let out a heavy breath, "Maybe you're right, but we can't be sure."

Just then the door opened and 3 Royal Guards stepped out in a "V" formation, the one at the front spoke.

"Joshua Hill," He said with a sharp voice, "Celestia shall see you." He moved to the side and gestured him to follow.

Joshua began to follow, along with Twilight and Spike. The Royal Guard Ponies at the back of the formation stood close to Twilight, while the one at the front lead them down the corridor and another set of doors. Opening them the back-two guards moved away and the front guard led Joshua right in front of the throne, with Celestia looking down at him.

"Your highness." The Royal Guard said bowing, "I have done as requested."

"Good, you are dismissed." Celestia said, the guard raised his head and walked back towards the other guards.

"Princess Celestia." Joshua bowed, "Have you come to a decision?" He asked.

Celestia flew down from her throne, landing in front of Josh she stood tall, "I have." She said.

A silence filled the room, Joshua could feel himself sweating bullets. He wanted to ask what it was or just blurt out "Well?" but he stopped himself.

"Joshua Hill." Celestia began to speak, "Your case is the first I have seen in my entire life, no being of your kind has been recorded nor any of the places you say you are from."

Joshua began to sweat more, he was waiting for her to finish and say no.

"However that is the thing about you isn't it?" Celestia asked, "You are a first, so on the advice of many advisers, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance and Princess Twilight Sparkle. I have decided to grant you citizenship, welcome to Equestria." She finished with a smile.

Josh looked up, "I passed?" He asked in a shocked manner.

"Well, I would more so say qualified." Celestia replied, "But yes."

"I cannot thank you enough, you won't regret this decision." Josh said.

"You are dismissed, guards please escort Josh and Twilight out." Celestia said flying back to her throne.

Two Guards approached Josh from both sides before one gestured him to follow. As he and Twilight walked down the halls of the massive Castle, a white coated, red maned pony with a suit dress walked towards them with a saddle bag.

"Hi! Joshua Hill correct?" She asked before offering a hoof, "Velvet, nice to meet you!"

Josh shook her hoof, "Hello Velvet, what can I do you for?" He asked.

"Oh nothing, I just have your papers." She said, floating out a file from her saddle bag towards Josh. "This is your identification, along with proof of citizenship and a new copy of your birth certificate. Of course we had to change the numbers around on the years so it made sense."

Josh looked dumbfounded at this, "What do you mean?" He questioned.

"Well for example, wherever you came from has a different calendar." Velvet said pulling out some paper from her saddle bag. She shuffled around a few before picking one, "Right here is says you were born in the year 2004, and that you are 16"

"Correct, but what's the problem then?" Josh asked.

"Well you see, it's the year 1002." Velvet said, "But besides that it seems you have the same months as us."

"Wait, it's 1002?" Josh questioned.

"Yeah so we just changed some numbers around." Velvet said putting away the papers, "Look, I have to run, if you have anymore questions you will find all the contact information inside the documents."

"Alright, thank you Velvet." Josh said, as he waved away Velvet.

Josh and Twilight continued on their way until they reached the main entrance. Josh waved goodbye to Twilight before beginning to walk away, Twilight however stopped him.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay at the castle? I'm sure I could arrange something, at the very least so you don't have to go back to Ponyville just to wake up early and return." Twilight asked.

"Twilight I'm betting you have done enough for me today." Josh said, "Besides I don't mind, now you get the Celebration ready. I'll see you tomorrow." Josh waved goodbye and began on his way to the station.

Josh looked out the window in his lonely passenger car, he looked at the night sky. He couldn't tell why but something felt off, he felt his eyelids growing heavy. He didn't feel like sleeping in case he missed his stop in Ponyville but at the same time his body wanted rest. Shutting his eyes for what felt like a few seconds he heard a door open. Opening his eyes and looking towards the origins of the sound he saw a dark-gray stallion with a black mane enter. The pony walked towards him and sat in the seat across from him.

"What a night, am I right?" The pony asked.

Josh looked at him, "Sorry, not in the mood for a chat." He said, looking back out the window.

"Not even with a friend?" The pony said.

Josh looked at him a bit annoyed, "And who are you?"

"Some call me sinister, but you can call me...." The pony paused as a dark mist quickly swirled around him, when it dissipated it was now the same dark humanoid figure he had seen before. "William..."

Josh laughed a bit at this, "William? That's your big name reveal?"

"I come from.." The raspy voice began talking, "Hold on...." He began coughing and clearing his throat, when he finished he spoke again. "I come from Earth too you know." He spoke again, this time his voice was clear and almost smooth.

"And that takes the biscuit." Josh said, "So you are real, but why did you go quiet?"

"Well it seems I was found out, and whoever found me out tried blocking me from interacting with you." William said, slumping back. "Now I wonder who has the ability to control dreams?"

Josh knew what point he was trying to make, "You think Luna knows about you?" He questioned, "But if she did, why would she block you out?"

"I told you, you can't trust those daft ponies." William said, a hint of anger in his voice.

"Hey, some of these "daft ponies" are my friends." Josh snapped back.

"Are they? Be realistic, do they not seem a bit too friendly?" William said.

"I know what you're trying to do, but it won't work. So best you leave" Josh said, laying back.

"I can see you are a bit closed minded, oh well." William said as he stood up, "Oh and I would check up on Twilight soon, you won't want to miss this."

"Miss what?" Josh asked.

"Think about it, what could cause Luna to not do her job?" He said as he began to vanish.

"What? What do you mean?" Josh said getting up and walking towards him.

"You will see..." William said, as he vanished laughing.

Josh quickly awoke in a cold sweat, he sat up straight as he heard the door open. This time it was just the conductor.

"Last stop, Ponyville." He said.

Josh got up and left the train, he didn't want to think much about this "William" guy. But what troubled him was the fact that if Luna was blocking out William, then why stop now? However this was not the only thing on his mind, he felt something and it didn't feel right. Reaching Golden Oaks he walked inside and sat down to think about this, until he heard a knock at the door. Who could be knocking at this hour? Opening the door he saw Zecora, pulling a cart full of belongings.

"Zecora?" Josh questioned confused, "What are you doing here?"

"Ah, you may not be Twilight but still a sight for sore eyes." Zecora said, "I bring urgent news about certain doom!"

Josh yawned, not being rude but because he was very tired. "I'll tell Twilight about it in the morning but I need sleep." Josh looked at the cart, "What's that?"

"If you let me explain," Zecora said, "Then you would come to know, that this threat had forced me to leave my home."

"It's that bad?" Josh questioned.

"Very much so." Zercora responded.

"Well, I guess you could come inside for the night." Josh said, as soon as he finished Zecora made her way inside. Josh looked at her and said, "That was what you came to ask for, wasn't it?"

Zecora shrugged, "If I said no, that would be a lie."

Josh sighed, "Fine, I'm going to bed, see you in the morning." Josh said as he made his way upstairs.

"But my warning!" Zecora yelled as Josh ignored her, "Fine, but do not cry if you meet a demise."

Josh woke up to someone grabbing at his arm, "Knock it off." He said, his eyes shut. But whoever was grabbing him was persistent, he pulled his arm away. "Spike I swear if that's you, I'll show you how to fly." He said as his blanket was torn off him. Quickly sitting up he looked to the direction the blanket was pulled, "ALRIGHT! WHO HAS THE BA-" Josh stopped himself, his anger changing to confusion as he saw the blanket on the ground in the grasp of a vine. It was black with green spikes sticking out of it, and it was big. If Josh had to guess he'd say the vine was about as thick as his arm and the spikes as long as his hand from wrist to the tip of his middle finger. Following the vine he saw three others protruding through his open window.

"What the hell?" He said allowed as one of the vines grabbed and wrapped around his left arm. It began to pull him towards the window, as he hit the floor he hooked his foot on one of the bed's legs. Pulling against the vine he felt it the spikes poking into his arm, lucky for him it wasn't strong enough to break the skin. Pulling as hard as he could he managed to break the grip of the vine. However just as soon as he did all three of them grabbed at his legs and right arm. This time it pulled him quickly and with force towards the window, his legs slammed against the wall and caused a photo to fall to the ground off of a desk next to him. The glass shattered and shards scattered around it, Josh looked at it and an idea popped into his head. Grabbing one of the shards he slashed at the vine holding his right arm, it managed to cut so he kept swinging. Soon he could feel it coming weekend so he pulled quickly and with enough force that it ripped the vine in half.
Doing this caused it to shrivel up and fall to the ground as the part he had cut it from retreated out of the window. He wasted no time in cutting himself free from the other vines, shutting his window as they retreated.

"Thank god that's over." Josh said as he heard a bang from downstairs. Quickly rushing he found Zecora in the main room of Golden Oaks using a chair to hold back five more vines.

"Back foul beast, or I shall find where you grow and destroy all you know!" She shouted in anger.

Josh ran past her and into the kitchen, he quickly began looking through drawers to try and find something to use. Lucky for him he found a sizable cleaver, rushing back to Zecora he slashed at the first vine he could. His swing was strong enough to cut halfway through the vine, taking only two swings to cut through it. This however caught the attention of the other vines that quickly launched at Josh, he managed to cut another down before the other three all wrapped around him and began constricting him. He could feel it crushing him, but then he remembered something. Closing his eyes he began emitting a white aura before the vines unwrapped from around him and seemingly retreated in fear.

"I tried to warn you? Didn't I try!" Zecora yelled at Josh as he dusted himself off.

"We can talk about that later, but for now may I ask what the hell that was?" Josh asked Zecora.

"The threat you chose to ignore, and now it thirst for more." Zecora said as she picked the chair she has used and placed it upright.

"Thirst for what?" He asked.

"That I do not know, but it will consume and it will grow." Zecora told Josh as she turned to him.

"Well then we gotta go stop it." Josh said as he walked past Zecora, "I'll get dressed and then we'll stop this."

A couple minutes later Josh came downstairs in a pair of jeans and a regular white shirt. He still had his trusty cleaver that he had used to great effect before. "Alright, lets go." Josh said walking past Zecora who had a saddle-bag on filled with all kinds of supplies. However, stepping outside the Human and Zebra stopped as they looked towards the sky and saw both the Sun and Moon. Normally this wouldn't be out of place to Josh because he could sometimes see the moon during the day, but this is Equestria and half of the sky was dark like night so this wasn't normal.

"Oh no." Josh blurted out, as he heard the terrified screams of ponies. Looking around he saw the vines had begun taking over Ponyville.

"This is bad, really bad." Josh said as he looked at Zecora, "You said this was coming from the Everfree forest right?"

"Very much so." Zecora said.

"Then that is where we go, we follow the vines and they lead us to the roots." Josh said as he began walking towards the forest, however he heard a familiar voice yelling in anger. Turning towards it he saw Bon Bon grabbing onto Lyra as she was being pulled away by a vine.

"DAMN VINES! I NEVER LIKED NATURE!" Lyra yelled as she held onto Bon Bon.

"Just hang on Lyra!" Bon Bon said as she pulled as hard as she could, but she could tell she wasn't winning this game of tug-of-war.

Just then Josh ran up and slammed on the vine, he had enough force to cut it clean in half as the cut off end shriveled up and the other retreated back into the forest. Helping Lyra up he asked, "Are you okay?"

"I am now, thanks for the save Josh." Lyra said.

"You got any idea what's going on?" Bon Bon asked.

"Barely, all I know is that these vines are coming from the Everfree forest and so that is where I'm heading." Josh said.

"And what about the sky?" Lyra asked, pointing up at the sky.

"That I have no clue, but if these vines are related to the sky then I fear we have yet to see the worst of this." Josh said.

"So you are going to fight these vines?" Lyra asked, "Why don't you wait for Twilight?"

"Because if something bad has happened to Luna and Celestia then Twilight might have her hands full." Josh said, "Now I need you to watch Golden Oaks in case she comes back."

"Hold on!" Bon Bon said, "You can't do this by yourself!"

"I'm not, Zecora is going to be my guide." Josh said as Zecora joined the three.

"Well, you can count on our help too!" Lyra said, "Isn't that right Bon Bon?"

"Yep!" She replied.

Josh sighed, "Fine, the four of us will..."

Just then Josh heard someone land behind him, "I want to help too!"

Josh turned to see Derpy, "You want to help? but why?" He asked puzzled.

"Because these vines stole my muffins!" Derpy said.

"Okay, you can join us I guess." Josh said, as he looked at his rag-tag group of friends. "Alright team, are you ready to possibly save Equestria?" He asked.

The mares and zebra looked at each other, they didn't really have an answer.

"Great! then lets roll!" Josh said, as he began down a path he could see vines coming from.

As they walked down the poorly formed path in the forest, Josh couldn't help but get a chill down his spine. This forest was already creepy but this was doubly so. He had been walking for a while and he was getting tired, turning to his friends he asked if they could rest for a minute. They agreed so he sat at the stump of a tree.

"Zecora, you sure you don't have anything that could help?" Josh asked.

"I have a potion, but a problem brews as only an alicorn may activate this brew." Zecora said taking out a bottle of purple potion, "I dare not try it on myself for the results would be tragic."

"Let me take a look." Josh asked, Zecora begrudgingly passed it to him. Examining the bottle he heard a voice in his head.

"Let me try something." It said, he recognized it as William. He saw the potion begin glowing, as a headache grew.

"Ugh!" Josh let out a grown as the potion changed color.

Zecora looked shocked, "How have you done such an impossible task!" she asked.

"I didn't...." Josh paused looking at it, "What do I do now?"

"Although I do not fully advise, take a drink and the answer you will find." Zecora said.

Josh opened the bottle, and hesitantly took a drink of the brew. "Huh, not to bad." He said as he looked around, "So now wha-" he was cut off as his eyes flashed white, however to him it was as if he just blinked.

"What the? Where am I?" Josh Questioned as he found himself in some kind of castle.

"Not another step!" He heard a voice call from behind him, turning around he saw Luna standing in front of a throne that bared her symbol.

"Luna?" Josh questioned, "What the hell is going on? Where are we and what's going on with the sky?"

"Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your precious light?" Luna said, seemingly looking at Josh.

"Precious light? What are you talking about?" Josh asked, as Luna walked in front of what looked like a podium.

"There can only be one princess in Equestria! And that princess...will be me!" Luna shouted as she slammed her hoof into the ground causing the podium and the wall behind her to break, revealing a Solar eclipse. Josh shielded his eyes as a dark aura wrapped around Luna forming into a ball of pure magic that was orange like the sun.

As it seemingly exploded Luna emerged but different Her body was now black light the night and she was now wearing dark blue armor. Her hair was now a dark purple hue and she had fangs. She let out an evil cackle as she emerged and landed back on the now broken podium.

Josh felt pure fear as the being who was once Luna stood in front of him, he began recalling the book he read and the descriptions he read matched what he was thinking. This was no longer the kind princess he had met in his dream. This was Nightmare Moon, princess of the night.

His fight or flight instincts kicked in and he chose to fight, raising his fist into a defensive posture he readied for a fight. Luna blasted a beam of Magic at a statue and cut a line from it to the ceiling causing parts of it to fall towards Josh he quickly jumped back, he fell as he did this and landed on the ground as he began to get up he saw Celestia in front of him. He looked at her then back to Nightmare Moon.

"Celestia, thank goodness something is terribly wrong!" Josh shouted as Celestia flew up into the air.

Nightmare Moon responded by blasting magic at Celestia, causing the roof to give way revealing the moon as Celestia landed in front of her. Josh soon jumped in front of Celesita facing Nightmare Moon.

"LUNA! ENOUGH OF THIS!" He shouted out, "COME TO YOUR SENSES!"

"Luna, I will not fight you! You must lower the moon! It is your duty!" Celestia said, Josh could hear the anger in her voice but also a deep sorrow.

"Luna?" She questioned, "I am Nightmare Moon, I have but one royal duty now! To destroy you!" Nightmare Moon blasted magic at Celestia as she said this.

Celestia avoided it as she flew up, soon followed by Nightmare Moon. Josh was stuck on the ground watching as the two fought he tried to figure out what was going on. He could hear the fight but couldn't see it, until he heard Celestia scream and fall to the ground in front of him as Nightmare Moon laughed.

"CELESTIA!" Josh yelled as he ran towards the princess, she was laying on the ground motionless. Josh felt an intense anger but also sadness, "Why would Luna do this? And where is Twilight? Is this my fault somehow?" Josh was asking all these questions and he felt tears begin forming.

Just then Celestia rose up, and Josh backed up in awe but was soon relieved. "Princess! You're okay!" He shouted out as Celestia looked to the sky.

"Oh, dear sister. I am sorry, but you have given me no choice but to use these." Celestia said as she used her magic to lift a part of the floor up to reveal some kind of pillar that had stone branches that held 5 gems.

"What are those?" Josh questioned as Celestia flew up towards it.

Using her magic she summoned the gem towards her and from the top of the pillar what looked like Twilight's element of harmony appeared. The 5 gems and Twilight's element soon began spinning at rapid speed around Celestia's body as she floated up towards Nightmare Moon. Josh watched from below as Celestia used the gems to blast Nightmare Moon with a beam of magic, sending her to the moon.

Just then Josh blinked and found himself back in the Everfree forest, he looked as Zecora, Lyra, Bon Bon and Derpy stood around him.

"What?" He asked.

"Dude, you drank that potion and started mumbling to yourself." Lyra said.

"Not to mention the part where you almost began crying." Bon Bon said.

"Wait sleeping? So that was a dream?" Josh asked.

"Not a dream, but a vision of the past." Zecora said.

"A vision of the past?" Josh said as he began thinking of it. He soon realized he must have been watching the banishment of Nightmare Moon a thousand years ago.

"I guess you did not find an answer, so further back you must seek." Zecora said handing him the bottle that he must have dropped.

Taking the bottle he took an even bigger drink, still leaving some. He blinked again and this time found himself standing on a checkered patterned floor, looking around he saw huts floating in the sky before seeing Luna and Celestia approaching a throne. It turned around revealing Discord. Josh couldn't hear them but he saw the princesses out the elements and turned Discord to stone, he blinked again and found himself in a cave. He saw a massive tree and noticed he was standing next to Celestia and Luna. He heard Luna gasp

"The Tree of Harmony." Luna said.

Josh scanned the tree and noticed a symbol of the moon and the sun leading to what looked like Twilight's cutie mark. "The Tree of Harmony..."

"Are you sure?" He heard Luna ask Celestia as she flew towards the tree, beaming magic at the symbol that looked like Twilight's cutie mark and summoned the elements around her and Luna who had joined her.

"We have managed to discover the only means by which we can defeat Discord and free the citizens of Equestria. Even without these elements, the Tree of Harmony will possess a powerful magic. As long as that magic remains, it will continue to control and contain all that grows here." Celestia said as the flashback ended and Josh found himself back in the present.

"I think I got it, we have to find a Tree of Harmony." Josh said.

"Tree of Harmony?" Derpy questioned.

"It's where Luna and Celestia must have found the Elements of Harmony. I think it's in the Everfree forest and something must be wrong with it." Josh said, standing up. "Only problem is I have no idea where it could be here."

"Well if the Tree is the cause of these vines, then if we keep them we should find the tree." Lyra added.

"Fair point, we best get back on the move." Josh said as he began once again following the vines.

Twilight double checked every room in Golden Oaks, so did her friends but Josh was nowhere to be found. She got worried as she could see signs of a struggle in his room, heading back to the main room she talked with her friends. "This is just Perfect, first the princesses disappear, then vines start attacking Ponyville and now Josh is missing!"

"What are we going to do?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know, but we better think and fast." Twilight said as she heard a knock on the door. Opening it Discord entered.

"Ah! Twilight your back! How was Canterlot?" He asked.

"Discord! Whatever it is, it can wait have you seen Josh?" She asked.

"Actually that's what I came to tell you," Discord said, "I saw Josh, that Zebra lady and some other ponies enter the Everfree forest trying to stop this."

"WHAT!" Pinkie Pie screamed.

"Josh wouldn't do that, it's too dangerous." Twilight said, but then she thought about it and it is something Josh would do. Bravely but foolishly running into danger trying to be a hero. He did it with Trixie and here he was doing it again.

"I don't think Discord's lying Twi." Applejack said.

"Then we have no time to lose, we have to find him." Twilight said running outside and towards the Everfree forest.

Josh and his friends gazed in awe at the decaying and broken castle they stood in front of, the vines had led them here and Josh recognized parts of it from his vision. Josh was about to say something before he heard Williams voice again.

"Hey buddy, you see that pile of rocks to your left?" He asked, "Go look through it, trust me."

Josh decided to listen and he began to search through it. Lyra walked behind him and asked what he was doing.

"I'm looking for something." Josh said as he continued looking.

"For what exactly?" Lyra asked.

Josh didn't answer he just kept digging until he noticed what looked like a hilt. Grabbing onto it he pulled it out of the pile, it was a sword. It had a cross hilt and the blade was long, if he had to guess he would say it was almost a meter.

"Woah, it's amazing." Josh said as he held it and looked over it.

"Cool sword." Lyra said.

"How did you know that was there?" Bon Bon asked.

"I.......I saw it in my flashback." Josh quickly made up.

"Speaking of which, what do we do now?" Lyra asked.

"Find the Tree of Harmony." Josh said as he looked down the gorge that separated them from the castle, "And I think we found it." Josh walked closer and looked at the tree, he could see it covered in the vines. He noticed a flight of stairs and made his way down them as his friends followed. Reaching the tree they stood in front of it.

"I am not sure what plan you could have, to free this tree from the vines grasp." Zecora commented.

"Take a guess Zecora." Josh said as he held his new sword up. He ran at the tree and slashed at one of the vines, the sword cut clean through it.

However this caused the vines to go into attack mode, Josh was able to cut the vines as they went for him. His friends however didn't have a sword like him so he soon found himself being overwhelmed by the vines.

"Damn it!" He yelled as a vine wrapped around his arms and soon began wrapping around his body, he closed his eyes and focused magic on his hand. His hands glowed and he blasted a beam of magic directly into the air, in one last ditch effort to gain some attention as the vine dragged him and the rest of his friends to the tree and pinned them.

"Well, so much for that plan." Bon Bon said.

[3 minutes ago, Everfree Forest: Unknown distance away from the Tree]

"Well Twilight, we are hopelessly lost." Rainbow Dash said as the mane six stood in a clearing.

"We can't give up, Josh is out here and he could be in danger." Twilight said.

"But we are in danger, and so is Equestira." Applejack said, "We've lost Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, we don't need to lose you too Twilight."

"Are you saying we should go back to Ponyville?" Twilight asked.

"That's the short version of it." Applejack replied.

"I'm not just going to leave Josh out here." Twilight stated, "If it was any of you I would do the same."

"I understand Twilight but unless some big sign appears in the air we don't have any lead." Applejack said.

Just then a bright beam of white magic blasted into the sky, it came north of them and was close.

"Look!" Twilight said, "That must be Josh!" She said as she began flying towards it. Rainbow followed and the rest began running on foot. Twilight arrived first at the Tree of Harmony, landing in front of it she looked in awe.

"Woah, what is this?" She questioned.

"Twilight!" Josh yelled out as he struggled to break from the vines.

Twilight blasted the vines with magic, freeing Josh.

"What is this place, and what are you doing here?" Twilight frantically asked as Rainbow Dash landed.

"It's a long story but I'll try to explain." Josh said with a huff as he stumbled over to a nearby rock, "This is the Tree of Harmony, and if I'm right it's where Celestia and Luna found the Elements of Harmony. However it's sick and seems to be dying and I can only think of one way to fix it." Josh stopped after saying this, he didn't like what he had to say next.

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"You're going to have to give up your Elements and return them to the tree." Josh said, this caused Twilight to gasp.

"WHAT!" Josh and Twilight turned to see Pinkie Pie and the rest of the mane six had now arrived.

"We can't give up our elements, how would we protect Equestria?" Rainbow asked.

"How are we meant to rein Discord in if we can't use the Elements to turn him back to stone?" Rarity added.

"Look Josh, the elements are what keep us connected no matter what. We can't get rid of em." Applejack said.

Josh couldn't think of anything to say, he couldn't argue against it because he wasn't one of them, but just then Twilight spoke up.

"You are right about one thing Applejack," Twilight said, "The Elements of Harmony did bring us together. But it isn't the Elements that will keep us connected. It's our friendship. And it's more important and more powerful than any magic. My new role in Equestria may mean I have to take on new responsibilities, and our friendships may be tested, but it will never, ever be broken."

"Thanks for the save." Josh said.

"No problem, now there's no time to lose. Everypony ready?" Twilight asked as she flew up.

"Ready!" Her friends responded.

Twilight summoned the Elements towards herself, just like what Josh saw Celestia do the Elements floated around Twilight at rapid speed. Just then more vines launched at Twilight, they grabbed onto her and one went for her Element. Twilight was able to fight it off however and place the Elements into the tree. Once she did the tree began to glow and the vines seemingly got evaporated. The tree itself also seemed to get better, as two small piles of vines appeared next to the tree and vanished. Out of the piles Princess Celestia and Luna appeared, Twilight immediately ran and embraced them. Behind them, Zecora, Lyra, Bon Bon, and Derpy also appeared but they seemed more Dizzy.

"GUYS! YOU'RE OKAY!" Josh yelled as he ran towards them and gave them a big group hug.

"Okay, but not fine." Zecora added on.

Just then, Josh noticed the Tree of harmony. The Elements all at once shot magic towards Twilight's element in the middle, it then shot the magic down towards the sun and moon symbol and towards the ground. It caused a flower to bloom from it, when Twilight went to touch it the flower opened and revealed a diamond shaped box that had six key holes.

"What is it?" Josh asked as he walked towards it.

"What's inside it? How am I supposed to open it?" Twilight asked the princesses as they too looked puzzled at it.

"Six locks, six keys." Luna stated before looking at her elder sister.

"I do not know where they are. But I do know that it is a mystery you will not be solving alone." Celestia answered, as she walked with her sister towards Josh. "And as for you, young Joshua." Celestia and Luna stood in front of Josh.

"Ye-yes?" Josh questioned. He was then surprised when Luna and Celestia gave him a short bow.

"Thank you for your help, it is greatly appreciated." Celestia said.

"We also thank thou for offering help." Luna said, before her and Celestia walked past him.

Josh just stood still in shock, two princesses just bowed to him in respect. He felt someone nudge his arm.

"Way to go slugger." Rainbow Dash said jokingly.

Josh slumped back in a nearby armchair, he was exhausted and for good reason. After helping free Luna and Celestia he had to give a helping hand to clean up Ponyville, then join Twilight and friends at the Summer Sun Celebration. He was now sitting in a cozy hotel room in Canterlot, he stayed an extra day because he had some more paperwork to clear up and he also wanted to see the sights of the city. As he sat down, he closed his eyes for a second before hearing a knock on the door.

"It's open." He said, as he watched the door open.

"Ah! My good friend Joshua, how are you doing?" The shadowy humanoid known as William entered the room.

Josh wasted no time in grabbing his recently acquired sword, he managed to convince Twilight to let him keep it but on the condition he joined her at the Crystal Empire some time to get lessons from her brother. Running up to the figure he extended the blade out and stopped it just short of his left eye.

"Alright, I have had enough of your games shadow man." Josh spoke in an authoritative voice, "How did you activate something that needed Alicorn magic, and how did you know about this sword?" He demanded, "And so help me god if you are the one behind the Tree of Harmony growing weaker."

"Woah, woah, woah, Chill out bro." William said, "See what I did there? I used your type of language." He laughed to himself.

"What do you want?" Josh asked.

"Well if you must know that "Alicorn only" Potion wasn't as complicated as that fool Zecora thought, hell you could have probably done it with a bit more training. As for the sword I was just looking out for you, a cleaver wouldn't be any good." William stated, "As for the Tree that was all on Discord."

"What is your deal, you appear with a cryptic message, then help me, and now here we are." Josh pointed out, "Just who are you?"

William laughed and spoke, "If you seek answers then to the castle you must flee." He said, "See? It sounds dumb doesn't it?" William asked.

"The castle? The castle of the two sisters?" Josh questioned.

"Bingo!" William said as he looked at his wrist, "Oh boy look at the time I best be off." William turned to leave but stopped, "Oh and Joshua, you ever threaten me again...." He paused, "Well, let's just say we won't be friends anymore." He left cackling at this.

Hearing this caused Josh to sit back down in his seat, "I don't know who you are William, but I will soon." He said as he levitated a book to himself and began reading.