Puzzle was sure that this was a dream. Or at least he hoped that it was. Because Unicorns could do a lot with their magic but as far as he knew he could not use his to fly. As he looked at what appeared to be Whinny City below him he wondered what in Equestria could have induced such a state. It was in this moment he swore off late-night double-fried hayburgers forever.
As suddenly as he was airborne he found himself on solid ground in what he was now sure was Whinny City. He wondered if any of the friends he made as a colt visiting his grandmare here would appear in his dream. All around him dour ponies frowned and grumbled at each other. One particularly large stallion even knocked him out of the way with nothing but a sneer in way of response.
Puzzle tried, again and again, to talk to ponies around him but none would even look in his direction. Never mind talking to him. The air was heavy with an oppressive feeling he could just not put his hoof on. It felt as if the atmosphere itself was pressing down on him. It was bad enough that he just wanted to lay down. Maybe if he slept withing a dream he would just wake up in his bed. But something, some little voice in the back of his head, drove him onward.
He couldn’t take the silence any longer. He had to hear something, anything said out loud. So in a moment of desperation. He rushed up to the nearest pony he could find. Which was a grumpy, wrinkled old stallion scowling so deeply he looked like a lemon.
“ Why couldn’t the Ursa vote? Do you give up? Because it was just an Ursa Minor! “
The stallion looked at him for a few moments and then slowly a smile spread across his face. His body began to shake and wheezing cackle spilled forth as he almost doubled over in laughter.
“ Sonny that is the worst joke I have ever heard and as old as I am that is saying something. “
Soon Puzzle joined in his soft chuckle making him tremble all over. In a flash, Whinny city was gone and all around him was what appeared to be a maze. It was shaped like a spiral with different colored gems at various locations along the path. The trail in front of him was pink gems now glowing merrily. Suddenly a voice came, it was now where and yet everywhere.
You have shared the element of laughter. Bringing joy to a joyless place. In return, your own fear was dispelled. This is but one of the Element of Harmony. Do you know what the rest are?
Looking around and seeing nopony else Puzzle spoke out loud
“Everyone knows what they are. Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, Loyalty, Honesty, and Magic. “
That is exactly right. Unite the six and you can return home. Fail to do so and all of Equestria could suffer. But remember it's not enough to have the element yourself. You must share them in such a way that you spread them to others. Just as you shared laughter.
Ahead of him were five more paths. Their gems dim. It appeared he was meant to walk each of them in turn and somehow share the elements that he only read of in storybooks. This was going to be a long night.
Puzzle sat on his haunches. He loved mysteries and as was his namesake puzzles. This situation might be just a dream but if it was Luna made it just for him. He knew the perimeters he must decide the best path forward. He could try to pick the areas he was best at first. But did anypony really know what Element of Harmony really fit them? Or did you just have to try your best and find out?
Not wanting to wait he stuck his hoof out and spun in a circle with his eyes closed. The path in front of him was filled with what appeared to be dull pink gems. He did not know what element they represented but he trotted forward along the path. Suddenly a bright flash forced him to shut his eyes and dull roar caused him to clamp his hooves over his ears.
After a moment he looked up and he was in a field that he played in as a foal. The roar was not magical in origin. It was ponies arguing. They all seemed to be fighting over just about any fool thing you could think of. The shouts made it next to impossible to separate one fight from another. Surely this had to be the element of Generosity.
Puzzle grinned feeling pleased he had figured it out so swiftly. He moved over to two foals tugging back and forth over a ball. He was sure he could fix this problem swiftly.
“ Now now, why don't we all play with the ball? I’ll join you and we can all share in the fun. “
The foals ignored him and yanked apart with a mighty grunt. One foal fell snoot first into the dirt and started to cry. The other ran off sticking their tongue out.
“ There, there little one. Let's get you brushed off and see if you are ok. “
Puzzle got the foal on all four hooves once again. He cleaned him off and helped him bandage a small scrape. It was odd he did not remember having bandages in his saddle bag…. In fact, when did he get a saddle bag?
“ Thank you, sir. Now I'm gonna get my ball back! “
Before the foal could move there was a huge clang and both of them spun towards the sound. It appeared the foal who had taken the ball was not watching where he was running and had hit a buck ball post. He was now rubbing his snoot and crying heavily. The foal Puzzle had helped went to laugh but was cut off with a stern look.
“ Do you remember how your scrape hurt? Why would you want anypony to feel like that? Do you want to share the pain or make things better? “
Puzzle could not believe the words coming out of his muzzle but the words spurred the foal to action. He went and helped his counterpart to his hooves and started to pay him on the back. In a blink, Puzzle was in front of a glowing path of pink gems glowing warmly.
Sharing kindness. A sure way to lessen the pain of this world. Remember that the elements reside in everypony and not every situation is as clear as you might think. If you can't find the element in yourself seek it in others and it will be drawn forth within yourself.
