Author's Note

Nothing to report, other than this chapter is finished, enjoy readers!

S1 Chapter 4: Tree of Harmony

The Main 6, Spike, and Xephers arrive at the Tree of Harmony, but it’s covered in Black Vines strangling it and oozing green goop from it.

“Holy... That looks really bad.” Xephers canters toward the tree, a Vine shoots toward him and grabs his forehoof. ‘Shit!’ He struggles as the Vine squeezes tighter. “*Grunt* This hurts so Much, *Grunt* Leaf Blade!” Leaves Form a sword for Xephers and he cuts the Vine but also himself a little.

“Mister Xephers, are you okay?” Fluttershy slowly approaches him while he backs away from the tree. “Oh... My... *Gulp* you’re bleeding,” She grabs his bleeding forehoof. “We need to get this treated before it gets infected.” Xephers nods his head.

“I can teleport my first aid kit here,” Rarity adds while her horn lights up, “I’ll get it now,” A First aid kit popped out of nowhere in front of Fluttershy. “Here you go dear, now Twilight see what you can do to help the tree,” Rarity turns to Twilight who nods and flies over to the tree.

“Alright let’s get this taken care of,” Fluttershy opens the First aid kit and works on Xephers’ wound. Twilight goes to touch the center of the Tree but a Vine grabs her forehoof and starts squeezing just like before. She tries to pull away but it doesn’t work so she shoots a Magic beam at the Vine and destroys it. The other Vines wrap around the center of the tree. Twilight thinks and remembers something she heard from Celestia.

“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,” Twilight flies back to her friends and lands in front of them.

“I know how we can save the Tree, We have to give it the Elements of Harmony,” Twilight says with a determined look.

“Woah Woah Woah *Chuckle*,” Rainbow says then lands directly in front of Twilight. “How are we supposed to protect Equestria?” Rarity canters forward.

“How are we meant to reign Discord in if we can’t use the elements to turn him back to stone?” Rarity adds looking a little scared at losing the elements. Applejack canters next to Twilight.

“Twilight, the Elements of Harmony, they’re what keeps us connected no matter what,” She closes her eyes.

“You’re right about one thing Applejack,” Twilight says, Applejack opens her eyes and looks at Twilight. “The Elements of Harmony did bring us together, but it isn’t the elements that will keep us connected,” Twilight adds with an assured look. “It’s our friendship, and it’s more important and powerful than any magic,” She hangs her head a bit. “My new role in Equestria may mean I have to take on new responsibilities,” She raises her head and puts a hoof on Applejack’s chest. “And our friendships may be tested, but it will never, ever be broken.” All of her friends smile, “There’s no time to lose, everypony ready?” with that She flies up into the air, and all her friends shout ready!

Twilight uses her magic to take all the Elements from their necklaces and her crown, she moves them toward the tree and inserts them into their respective slots on the tree. The Vines attempt to stop her but fail as the last one is inserted the tree starts to glow bright white. The Glow expands and Destroys all of the Vines near it and destroys the rest of them like Fuses, Clearing the Everfree Forest and Ponyville entirely of Vines. The Glow shrinks back around the tree and gives it back its shiny color. It then clears the two giant masses of Vines holding the Princesses. The glow dissipates and they canter over to Twilight and her friends. Twilight gallops over to Celestia and hugs her.

“We know how difficult it must have been to give up the elements, it took great courage to relinquish them,” Everyone smiles, then the tree glows again, Twilight canters over to the tree as it uses the colors of the elements to make a strange flower appear out of one of its roots. Twilight touches it and it opens revealing a Diamond chest with 6 keyholes on it.

“What’s inside it?” Twilight asks Celestia, who puts a hoof to her chin in thought. “How am I supposed to open it?” Luna speaks up.

“Six locks, Six Keys,” They look back towards Celestia, she shakes her head.

“I do not know where they are, but I do know it is a mystery you will not be solving on your own,” she canters out from in front of Twilight’s friends. Twilight looks at the chest then back to her friends with a smile. Celestia notices Xephers as she’s cantering away from the others. ‘Who is that, I’ve never seen him before.’ She analyzes him while not looking suspicious but notices something very off about him. ‘Why doesn’t he have a cutiemark? He looks like an adult, so where is his Cutiemark.’ She stops just before getting too far away from him. “Sir,” She said in a motherly tone, Xephers looks at her. “Could we have a chat in private really quick, I wish to thank you for help Twilight and her friends,” He nods and canters toward Celestia. She puts up a sound and visual Barrier around her and him. “Alright, Discord,” She says in an angry tone. “Enough games, what are you doing here?” She steps closer to Xephers.

“Discord? Do you mean that Chimera I saw in town earlier?” He tilts his head in confusion.

“Yes you, what are you doing here, did you create that magical surge?!” her tone was getting louder and angrier.

“Wait, what Magical Surge you mean when I summoned my weapon?” He grabs it, sits it on the ground, and puts a hoof on it. “Disperse,” the sword turns into ordinary leaves and flies away.

“Enough, show your true form Discord, I know it’s you!” She says with Venom in her words, she’s almost at the Royal Canterlot voice in loudness.

“Wait, you think I’m Discord? *Hearty Laugh* No madam, I’m not that beast, My name Is Xephers Strike, Legendary Hero from Hytopia, Master Grass Mage, and Expert Swordsman, It’s nice to meet you, Mam.” He salutes. Celestia looks closer at him for a moment.

“Even though I can tell you aren’t lying to me, that story you just said sounds very unbelievable,” She then relaxes a little and returns to her motherly tone. “At ease soldier *Giggle*,” At that, he stops Saluting. “You said you were from Hytopia? I’ve never heard of such a place, and I’ve been around for a thousand years.”

“Hytopia is what the planet is called where I’m from,” He explains, “I was taken from my world by an ancient Dragon called Rah Krivaan, I’m here to help with any dangers you all have.” Celestia thinks for a moment.

“That would explain some things, but for right now I see that you’re not a threat to my little ponies so my sister and I will be going back to the Palace in Canterlot to discuss some things,” the Barrier around them dissipates. “I bid you Farewell Sir Strike,” With that, she takes off flying towards Canterlot with her Sister following close behind. Twilight and her friends canter up to him.

“What did she want to talk about?” Twilight asked looking like she really wanted to know. He looks at her and simply shrugs. “Ok, would you like to come back to Ponyville with us?” He nods.

“I don’t want to get lost again, so I’ll go with you guys.” He nervously smiles while looking at Rainbow. She does the hoof gesture again. “*Nervous Gulp* Just lead the way, Miss... Uh... What’s your name actually?” He looks at Twilight and tilts his head.

“Oh right, we never really introduced ourselves,” Pinkie then jumps up and down repeating ‘I did’ over and over till Rainbow stopped her. “Well, My name is Twilight Sparkle, this is Rarity,” She points a wing at Rarity who twirls her hair and just says ‘Charmed’, “This is Applejack,” She points to her and she says ‘Howdy’ tipping her hat and smiling, “This is Spike, my number one assistant,” He poses proudly. “The one that helped you with your cut is Fluttershy,” She hides behind her mane and whispers ‘Hi’. “You already know Pinkie, and last but not least...” She gets cut off as Rainbow gets in Xephers’ face again.

“The name’s Rainbow Dash, Fastest flyer in Equestria, and Future Wonderbolt!” She backs off a bit. “And I got my eyes on you buddy, you hurt my friends, you better be ready to run.” She flies back behind the others away from him.

“Ok... Let’s go then Twilight, I think it would be best if we get back before dark,” He says a little scared at what Rainbow said. Twilight nods and they all start walking back to Ponyville.