Two Worlds Collide

Chapters

Prologue
Destiny
The Orchard
Ponyvale
The Other Side

Prologue

Celestia took a deep breath, trying to allow her mind to catch up with her.

It was storming outside, the rain was loud as it pelted the balcony beyond her bedchamber. Not a magic storm, thank goodness, just a natural one. All would be inside tonight. Aside from the rain, the tick of a grand clock was all there was so be heard in the still room. It was peaceful, serene. A complete contrast to the inner chaos of emotions of the one mare in the room.

Celestia closed her eyes and nodded to herself. It had finally begun.

Before her lay a glass display, a deceptively secure thing despite it's flimsy appearance. A red velvet plaque angled towards the observer, displaying six brilliant gems nestled into it. Each was a different, vibrant color: violet, cerise, cerulean, autumn orange, soft pink, and magenta. Five were identical in their facets, elongated hexagons akin to popular jewelry. The sixth took the form of a six pointed star, five of which pointed to the other jewels in the display. But the star was no bigger than the rest as if to proclaim it held no significance without the others. Thus was the nature of the elements of harmony.

To anyone else, the elements looked as they always did: cold lumps of stone. But this evening there was a difference, a difference that Celestia could see clear as day despite her physical vision telling her otherwise.

She turned her head towards the glass door of the balcony, looking up at the sky shrouded in heavy clouds. "It's happening, sister," she said, then smiled. "An element is born tonight."

This was a good thing, but it was also a hard thing. She was overjoyed and wrapped in melancholy. But she was not surprised.

For many years she and her sister Luna had been bound to these elements. They'd been so close, fighting together for the good of their world. Together they birthed an era of great peace for all of pony kind. And in this peace she, the great Princess Celestia, made her greatest folly.

She took a shuddering breath, allowing herself to acknowledge the pain that came with this occasion.

Proud, bathed in the light of her citizens, Celestia had turned a blind eye to what she then considered her gloomy sisters petty concerns. After all, it was all little things. So what if she was always the first addressed? If a few towns threw some festivals in her honor? Memories now tainted with the bitter edge of shame. Oh how she'd reveled in her glory, and she paid dearly for her negligence.

The ponies that remained in Equestria blamed Luna for the rise and fall of Nightmare Moon and the great collision that followed, but Celestia knew better. She knew the truth.

She continued to gaze at the elements, not really seeing them for the moment.

She was to be blamed just as much, if not more, than Luna. The elements were forgiving, but they can only allow for so much leeway. They both had many years to come forth and heal the gap that they both knew was forming between them, but they didn't. They didn't and they broke. Yes, the elements are forgiving, but when they are turned and used against each other there is no more harmony. And with the last of the harmony between the sisters shredded, the elements could no longer be tied to them.

The night she had to banish her sister to the moon was the last night Celestia was able to call on the elements of harmony. Since then, she could still fell slivers of the old connection, but the jewels were cold to her. No longer did the fill her with the song of warmth and passion and power and drive. The were a hum in her heart now, a song with a lost voice. For nearly a thousand years...

She'd waited all that time for something to change with the elements, for the change that must come eventually. She didn't know how the change would come about, only that it would. Would a pony or group of ponies have to first prove their worth? Was there already potential bearers out in the world, ready to connect with the elements should thy face them?

Now she understood. The connection is destiny set at birth, but what the future bearers are to do with the connection would be on them. And even though she always knew in her head that this would happen one way or other, a small part of her heart had defied her and secretly whished, hoped, that maybe she and Luna could repair their friendship and restore their connection... but no.

Now before her was evidence that the elements were finally ready to move on. In the pit of her soul, Celestia could feel that one of the elements had drawn even further away from her, going from a hum to barely a whisper. And when the element joins with it's new bearer, she knew it would go silent.

Celestia smiled as she examined the elements, truly studying them now as apposed gazing past them. She wondered which of the elements it was, but had no real way to tell. She felt a spark of excitement at the idea of a new foal meeting the world for the first time, unaware of the great things yet to come. The great things her or she would do.

Already Celestia felt like a mother eager to see the child grow, and as she fondly looked at the elements she eagerly anticipated the arrival of the rest. With the first already binding to another, the rest would soon follow. And Celestia was ready to see them passed down.

"They will right our wrongs, sister," Celestia said out loud. "And I will give everything I have to see them succeed."

No reply came, as it hadn't for a millennia.

"A new era is about to come. It's going to be hard. It's going to hurt. It is going to change everything. And it will be beautiful."

Destiny

There are many worlds besides our own, this I have long understood. Each are different and unique, thus crossing worlds without caution can cause an imbalance, risking permanent damage.

But perhaps

If one were too

I need to do it. For the sake of Equestria, these creatures have to go.

I've done many a field test to be sure, observing a particularly fascinating world trough peephole rifts many times over... a world in which magic does not exist. To an untrained observer this other world is entirely alien to Equestria and her neighboring kingdoms. But I am a seasoned wizard who knows how to observe what counts, and what counts is that an Equestrian could survive there with little trouble. That is to say, the world follows the same basic principles as ours, twin canvases painted by drastically different artists. And that means this will work. I am doing the right thing.

By the time I next write in this journal, Equestria will be three steps closer to an era of peace. Three less monsters in our world. The other world will suffer no harm, for there magic does not exist. The creatures will be rendered harmless.

There is no other way. It is for the best. It is for the safety of Equestria.

It is for their own good.

- Starswirl

Field Notes - V1 E1

This place is weird, but I've seen weirder. It's not so much how it looks so much as how it feels, like the atmosphere is both empty and thick with an ethereal molasses that makes casting even the simplest of spells a lot harder than it should be. And I'm pretty good at magic. The fact that I can do it at all is really good news, or else I might be stuck here longer than just an hour.

Like I mentioned before, I can definitely tell this world doesn't like having magic in it. Even now as I use my horn to hold my quill, it's like there's a force trying to push the magic back into me. When I reach out and try to feel for other traces of magic, there's just a nothing that that I never realized should be filled. Huh, I wonder if this is what it feels like to fish pulled out of water.

Magic aside, everything else seems pretty normal. Heck, I could even fool myself into believing this is still Equestria. I'm in a forest, which is perfect for a first field test. And the fact that this world has a forest is great. Why that's great, well, lets just say some other worlds I've been to-

Oh there's a squirrel! And it looks just like an Equestrian squirrel. Um, ow. I guess it also acts like an Equestrian squirrel. At least I can also confirm this place has acorns.

Based on the sun's positioning, the worlds' time lines seem to match up pretty well, but I won't be able to tell for sure until I get back. I wonder if that was always the case, or if The Collide caused it.

It's kinda peaceful. I feel like I'm just having a study session in the palace garden, not in the wilderness of another dimension. Either this place is a lot more like Equestria than we initially thought, or the princesses have a way crueler sense of humor than I realized.

I want to stay and explore so badly, but the first test has to be kept short for safety reasons, and my time's up.

- S.S.

Field Notes - V17 E4

That was a bit too close for comfort. But I saw them! Humans! It was from a distance, but there was no mistaking it. Their shape is a bit like a monkey's, except not. I guess they're about as much like our monkeys as us pony's are to their horses. I already knew all this from my past research and all, but it's so cool getting to actually see them!

I think these two are young; siblings if I had to guess. They didn't seem all that bad, they were just playing around. Heh, it's kinda hard to match up what I saw with all the reports on the dominance of humans. Or how dangerous they're supposed to be.

I really enjoyed watching them. Maybe it was the way they moved, balancing on their long hindlegs with a sort of grace, but there was also a foal like clumsiness to the smaller one. A she, I think. The bigger one I am assuming is her older brother.

They'd point and gesture with their hands the same way dragons do with there claws. I guess you don't even need magic when you can do so much with just a pair of those. Who am I kidding? I think I'd want my magic even if I was a human.

This gives me a lot of hope for restoring the worlds. If this is what humans are like, maybe they'll even want to help us out in some way?

- S.S.

Field Notes - V29 E2

I don't even know what to say here. What can I say? There just aren't words to describe- But I guess I'll have to do my best.

I saw ponies. I saw two earth ponies today, in the human city. This is the first time after months of crossing over to this world that I have seen any. Now I wish I hadn't. I wish I hadn't, because now those reports make sense.

I can't bring myself to go into details just now; my nerves are so shot that my hornwriting is jittery. I'll fill a full report later.

What I will say is that ponies aren't free in this world. They are under the control of the humans. And they don't fight it. They just act like it's normal to be at the humans mercy. Being strapped down, manhandled like animals... I feel kinda sick right now.

From what I observed, they're us ponies are considered a commodity for the wealthy classes of humans. (Refer to previous entries on human social and classes and their relation to pony classes.)

By Luna and Celestia both, we have to make this right.

- S.S.

History of Equestria Volume 4

Chapter 17: The Collide

After the banishment of Nightmare Moon (see chapter 16) Equestria suffered a sudden, catastrophic disaster to the scale of which has never been seen before or since. That disaster now referred to as The Collide.

Section 1 - What Caused The Collide?

Much debate surrounds the details of this topic, but scholars, wizards, and the princess herself seem to have agreed on the basic principles. For some time Equestria has been using a separate world as a means to dispose of beings and items too magically powerful to otherwise handle. This word was said to be without magic, therefore making it ideal for this purpose. However, much too late did ponies realized that every time something was sent across to that other world a bit of equestrian magic stayed with it, throwing both world off balance by miniscule margins.

For reasons still unclear, (refer to section 5 - Theories and Debates) the loss of the alicorn sisters' connection to the elements of harmony seemed to trigger The Collide. According to...

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Section 2 - What Happened During The Collide?

For as big of a disaster that The Collide was, the event itself only lasted approximately an hour. One hour in which both our world and the magicless world were fused into a single dimension. Upon fusion, much physical damage was wrought onto the land by the combined worlds attempts to claim the same space. Widows floated in midair, houses sat at the bottom of the ocean, bits and pieces of each world not quite fitting together, each battling for existence.

At this time all living things from both world were thrown into a panic. The humans (of which at the time were considered nothing more than fancy creatures) faced ponies, neither species knowing what was going on while animals went into a frenzy. The panic caused many accidents in and of itself, but nothing unusual outside of what could be expected from such extreme circumstances.

The most notable damage dealt during The Collide was the magical drainage from Equestria. Magic follows the principles of diffusion so, upon contact, a significant portion of Equestria's magic was swept into the other world. Because much of Equestria's magic is tied to it's inhabitants, a major population of ponies and other magical sorts were pulled into the other world as if by vacuum as the worlds separated again. Researcher's have roughly gauged a third of Equestrian magic and populace having been lost to the Collide. ...

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Section 4 - Magic Storms

With so much of Equestria's magic field torn away, weird occurrences began to take place all over the world. These are caused by unstable magic and can have varied, unpredictable, and dire consequences. Often appearing as more natural disasters, or sometimes having no visible presence, they cause issues that cannot be attributed to regular avalanches or storms.

Note: Magic storms are not always guaranteed to be dangerous, such as with the case of the color changing mist in...

"Twilight!"

Twilight jerked her eyes away from the scattering of books and notes on her desk to meet the the frowning gaze of the small dragon before her. He had his clawed hands on his purple hips and his wings pulled back in annoyance. She gave him a slightly sheepish grin.

"You're stress reading again, aren't you?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"Pft, I'm not stress reading, I'm just doing some last minute review." Twilight subconsciously reached a hoof out and pulled the textbook a little closer to her. She glanced down to the floor and added, "We're not allowed to bring any with us you know, Spike."

Spike sighed and gave her a sympathetic smile. "You already know it all by heart, Twilight. Come on," he bent down to look up into her downcast eyes, "you're going to do great!"

Twilight smiled and pulled him into a hug. "I'm so glad you're coming with me." Spike returned the embrace.

A new voice came from the hall beyond the double doors of Twilights chamber, "Was she stress reading?"

"Yeah!"

"No!" Twilight protested with an indignant huff.

"Ha! Called it!" Came the muffled reply.

Twilight rolled her eyes and used her magic to let the lavender unicorn in.

"It's not stress reading, Starlight," Twilight scolded. "It's review and completely relevant to my upcoming mission." Twilight closed the book and straightened out the loose sheaths of paper.

"Stress reading," Spike nodded, earning a glare.

Spike had been Twilight's number one assistant ever since she was a little filly way back when Princess Celestia took her under her wing. He was honestly like her little brother in a lot of ways, never bothering to quell his snarky attitude. It was no wonder he and Starlight got along so well.

Starlight Glimmer was Twilight's own portage, but had only been with her for the last year. Whereas Twilight was a master at retaining spells for a long time and preforming them on a level most unicorns could never reach, Starlight tended to be more creative than her. She could combine bits and pieces of spells in ways Twilight would never think of herself. It was a skill she'd come to rely on from her student.

Starlight was currently observing the large pile of literature on and around Twilights desk. "Um you did get dome sleep last night, right?" She fixed Twilight in a slight frown.

"I'll have you know that I got a full eight hours of sleep last night," Twilight said proudly.

This genuinely surprised Starlight for a moment, then compression dawned on her. "Luna?"

Twilight hung her head in embarrassment. "She got the drop on me."

"It's probably for the best," Spike cut in. "I mean, it's not every day you go on an epic quest into another dimension! How are you feeling?" He gave her an expectant smile, which was soon joined by Starlight's.

"Like screaming with excitement but also like I want to hide under my bed for the next year," she admitted.

"Eh, you'll be fine." Starlight prodded her towards the door, "Come on, I want to get some breakfast before you run us trough your plan a hundred times. Oh, and I also have a surprise for you before you leave!"

This naturally made Twilight curious, but she knew better than to try and get an answer out of Starlight before she was ready to give it, so she let herself be led out of her bedroom and into the royal dining hall. She didn't feel much like eating. Okay, that was an understatement; the thought of consuming food right now made her worried she'd be sick.

The dining hall already had three occupants around the table when they entered. Celestial gave Twilight a warm smile as she crossed to room to sit in the righthand seat to the princess. To Celestial's left was her sister, Princess Luna.

Whereas Celestia had been Twilight's mentor for almost as long as Twilight could remember, Luna had returned from her banishment only five years ago. It was a day- err- night, well engrained in her memory. Young and anxious about all the prophecies foretelling doom, it had taken all her self control not to go on full panic mode. Celestia reassured again and again that everything would be fine, but it wasn't until she witnessed the reunion of the two sisters that Twilight understood the full magnitude of things.

She'd stood at Celestia's side as the great princess faced the dark creature, a fourteen-year-old foal half sanding with and half hiding being her mentor. Nightmare Moon was every bit the monster her books had described. They faced off, Nightmare looking ready to fend off anything Celestia sent her way, but refusing to make the first move. Loathing was written across her face, and Twilight feared that nothing would get past her defenses.

But then Celestia did something Twilight never even imagined she'd whiteness. The regal mask of calm, wisdom, and serenity fell away as Celestia ran forward with joyful tears streaking down her white fur. Twilight gaped like a guppy as her mentor embraced Nightmare Moon, who was evidently prepared for anything but that.

"I've missed you so much Luna."

Nightmare struggled to regain her barring's. "Why dost thou embrace us so? Don't thou... hateth us? After all we hath done?"

"No more than I hate myself for what I have done." Celestia pulled back to look into Nightma- Luna's eyes earnestly. "And I need you here with me more than ever. I've always needed you."

Celestia then looked back at Twilight. "Come Twilight, come meet my sister!"

A lot more transpired that day before Luna agreed to peacefully retake her throne alongside her sister, but there was none of the death and destruction and darkness that the prophecies promised. Just two ponies who'd been hurting for far too long ready to make amends.

At the end of it all, Celestia pulled Twilight into her study for a private word. She wanted to impress upon Twilight the lesson to be found that day, that predictions were just that, predictions. Not a promise, not a guarantee, not a reason to give up or not bothering to give it your all. Twilight had protested that "what was the point of even having prophecies if they were never a sure thing," to which Celestia smiled and shook her head. "Because they can be source of hope or a warning of caution. But that is all they are, so be careful not to let the idle promises blind you."

All those years ago Twilight had though the lesson no more or less significant than all the others Celestia taught her, even though a part of her subconscious picked up on the Princess's extra layer of emotion with it, the way her eyes willed Twilight to truly understand. She'd simply attributed it to a hectic day, but as of three months ago Twilight learned the real reasoning behind it.

Three months ago, Twilight learned that she herself was a major part of a prophecy, a prophecy ten times bigger than the prediction of Nightmare moon.

Luna gave twilight a nod and a shadow of a smile. It was no secret that she wasn't a morning pony, so Twilight was very grateful that she was here with them for breakfast today. It might be her last one in the Canterlot castle for a very, very long time.

At Luna's side and across form Twilight was a yellow unicorn with flame-red hair. Luna's apprentice gave her a much bigger smile than her mentor. "You ready for today, Twilight?"

"No, not really. But I appreciate the sentiment, Sunset."

Sunset shrugged. "Crossing over for the first time is always nerve-wracking but, speaking from experience, you'll do just fine."

"That's what I said!" Starlight agreed.

Sunset Shimmer had originally been Celestia's student way back before Twilight was even born. From what she knew, they'd had a fallout of some sort that resulted in Sunset escaping into a completely different dimension. Upon learning about this, it was Princess Luna who decided to reach out to her and convince her to come back, taking Sunset under her own wing when she saw the unicorn's natural skill with opening and crossing portals. Apparently dreamwalking and voidwalking weren't all that different.

Despite technically being twenty years or so older than Twilight, Sunset only appeared to be a year or two older. Apparently time isn't always symmetrical between worlds, so what had been twenty years in Equestria had only been two for Sunset Shimmer.

Their relationship hadn't gotten off to the smoothest start when Sunset first arrived, and Twilight couldn't entirely blame her. She wouldn't like to feel replaced either. That was all in the past now, and Twilight was glad to have another 'Princess's personal protégé' in the palace to keep her company on occasion. She was a good study buddy despite numerous complaints about preferring fieldwork. Which she got to do a lot of. Her getting to go into other dimensions on a regular basis had made Twilight rather jealous until recently. This mission was a ~~bit~~ lot more than she bargained for when she initially gave voice to her desire to enter another world.

Twilight chewed absently, not even knowing what food she happened to be consuming.

"I agree," Celestia said in response to Sunset and Starlight's remarks, looking directly at Twilight. "You're as prepared for this mission as you can be, my student. I trust you'll be able to see it through."

Twilight nodded, the butterflies in her stomach making threats not to open her mouth at that moment. You all make it sound so simple...

Three months ago, that's what her life had been. Simple. Not always easy, per say, but simple and predictable and plannable. But then her entire universe was turned around when Princess Celestia revealed to her her destiny.

"What are they?" Twilight asked. She leaned closer to the box of jewels. This was the first time she had ever been allowed into Celestia's sleeping quarters. Her initial instinct when Celestia invited her in was to observe and analyze every detail of the chamber while she had the chance. But, as soon as she stepped across the threshold, her entire focus had been drawn to that display case with six stones, all the other wonders of the room forgotten before they were even acknowledged.

Five of them shined with a sort of inner radiance. One of them positively glowed. And it was this one, the center star, that Twilight's eyes locked onto. She was drawn to it, she needed to touch it, to connect with it. She was across the room and standing before it without realizing she'd moved. A part of her mind squirmed in resistance, fearing that this compulsion was some sort of unnatural greed.

She finally managed to turn her eyes away to look at Celestia for an answer. For her part, Celestia seemed entirely unconcerned about Twilights magnetic behavior, even smiling to herself a bit. Rather that answer Twilight outright (a frustrating habit of hers), she lifted the glass away, taking her time to set it down gently on the floor. The drawn out action made Twilight all the more antsy for answers, causing her to fidget with her hooves a little.

Celestia proceeded to wrap the glowing star in her golden magic, lifting it out and presenting it to her. Twilight's mouth hung open slightly as she looked directly into her teachers eyes, not quite comprehending. Celestia gave her a small nod to confirm that her permission was granted.

Refocusing on the star, Twilight tenderly lifted it out of the air with her hooves. Instantly, the world went white with light, but it didn't hurt or blind the way looking into the sun did. Honestly, she wasn't paying much attention to her vision at all. A burst of warmth and power shot up her forelegs the moment her hooves made contact, filling her with feelings she couldn't identify or even describe. And, for the briefest of seconds, she felt heartbeats. Her own, and five others. Not in sync. Not at the same rate. They beat beside hers.

It was over almost as soon as it began. Twilight shook her head, trying to work her brain through the molasses of confusion. "What- How- Huh?"

With a start, she realized there was a cool weight on her chest and looked down. There the star jewel sat, ironwrought bands of gold tying it neatly around her neck.

Twilight took a few deep breath's, wresting the panic and awe that threatened to give her a headache. Several questions swirled around her mind, but when she finally found the power of coherent speech again, all she did was look up at her mentor and ask in a foalish plea, "Celestia?"

The great alicorn was beaming at her, no longer the majestic princess of the sun but a very proud mother watching her chick take flight for the first time. "These, Twilight," she gestured to the stone on her neck and the five still waiting in the display with her wing, "are the elements of harmony. And you just bonded to the one that ties them all together."

Twilight's hear skipped a beat. Then it skipped another. It skipped all the beats.

"Breath, Twilight. Breath." Celestia gave her a very un-princesses-like smirk.

It was a struggle, but Twilight managed to keep her hyperventilating to a minimum. "But that means- But if I'm- The elements, they're supposed to make everything better, they're supposed to fix the worlds. And if I'm- I'm-" the reality of the situation was catching up to her, and she collapsed onto her rump. "It's me. I'm the one who's in the prophecy, aren't I?" Twilight looked at the other five elements. "I- we're going to fix everything?" This couldn't be real.

"Ah, so I see you've done a little reading on the prophecy of the elements."

"A little reading?!" Twilight said incredulously. "I spent months trying to find every scrap of information on it! There was practically nothing! Not even some silly rhyming verse! There's supposed to be six heroic ponies, each tied to one of the elements," she recited, "and with the elements they are to restore Equestria's magic and permanently seal the rift between the worlds. But it's all so vague. It doesn't say when this will happen or how. I couldn't even find anything about what the elements exactly are!"

"Oh well that's easy." Celestia pointed to the case again. "They're those things right there."

Twilight scowled and Celestia laughed.

"I'm sorry, Twilight, I know you're taking this very seriously. But there's been precious little to laugh about since I lost my connection to the elements, and I'm just too happy that this day has finally arrived." She sighed off the last of her mirth. "Very well. The elements themselves are the physical representation of, well, the elements that create harmony. They do not themselves create harmony, but channel their element so that the wielder can do so as they please."

"But what are they?" Twilight pressed. "What are the six elements?"

Celestia sighed. "I cannot tell you that Twilight." She held up a hoof as Twilight started to protest. "Yes, I know what they are. But no," her voice had a slight warning to it's edge, "I will not tell you." Her face softened. "This is something you need to discover yourself. And I have every faith that you will."

Twilight too a deep breath and nodded. "So... who are the other five?" She asked weakly.

Celestia shrugged. "I don't know."

Twilight groaned in frustration. Celestia's laughter wasn't helping.

"But I do know where you can find them."

That was her mission. Step 1: find the other elements. Step 2: Convince them all to follow her leadership and go on a perilous quest. Sep 3: Gather all the ponies in the other world and send them back to Equestria. Step 4: Seal the rift between the worlds forever.

Twilight frowned at her now empty plate. In her opinion, any list that didn't reach a full foot of parchment wasn't a good list at all. Unfortunately, There was little else she could do to plan ahead. There were just so many unknowns...

"Nope!"

Twilight snapped back to the real world. "Hm?"

Starlight grabbed Twilight's tale with her magic and began to drag her out the door. "No overthinking things now, Twilight. We've got work to do."

The Orchard

To be honest? Twilight was glad to finally meet a pony from this world. What she wasn't glad about was being tied to her. Literally. No sooner than she'd exchanged pleasantries with this Applejack mare than the lead human took the other end of the rope and tied it to her. After that, the humans left.

Twilight was surprised when they dispersed so suddenly, but they didn't seem interested in bothering her or Applejack any further.

She felt tug on the rope, and turned to see that Applejack had moved a little ways ahead. "Come on now, village is this-a-way. It's my job to show you 'round and introduce ya to everypony. We can talk on the way."

"Okay, sure. But, uh," Twilight glanced at the rope between them, "is the rope really necessary?"

"Yes, but don't take it personally," Applejack said. "We do it to all the newcomers. It's for your benefit as much as anyone's. You don't strike me as the kind of pony who needs it on long, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. It'll come off when you're ready."

"And who decides when I'm ready?" Twilight questioned.

"I do. Now let's get goin' and you can tell me 'bout where you're from an' I can tell you about the Vale." She started moving forward, and Twilight was forced to follow. "Can't say I've ever seen a pony just strollin' through these woods before, what with all the spooky trees and stuff."

"I was able to sense the illusion." She knew the best lies are wrapped in truth, so she planned to be as honest as possible about her origins. She and Starlight had already worked out a decent backstory in case Twilight was ever asked about her past.

"Ah, must be a unicorn thing." Applejack nodded with a look at Twilight's horn. "So what brings you out here to the Everfree in the first place?"

"It's where I've always lived," Twilight said. This might seem like a risky claim to make in front of someone who's know these woods for a very long time, but the Everfree forest was vast. It was possibly the biggest and wildest forest in this world. Sunset said that Ponyvale was practically on the outskirts of the forest when it was viewed on a map all together, and that was at least a four day hike from the edge of the tree line. "Deeper in the woods," she clarified. "My family lives in hiding by using magic as well." This was technically true, sort of. And Zecora's treehouse was positioned north of Ponyvale, meaning that Twilight had, indeed, come from the deeper end of the forest.

Applejack's expression remained neutral as Twilight talked.

"Some things... happened, and I decided it was time to strike out on my own. So I've been wandering around for some time, and when I sensed the magic field, I decided to investigate it. And that's what led me here."

At some point while she had been talking, Applejack had stopped walking and fixed Twilight with her full attention. She stared thoughtfully for a moment, then stated, "Well now that's a boldfaced lie if I've ever heard one."

Twilight was taken aback. She felt her mind start to size up in a panic. What-How-I rehearsed that story a dozen times! How did she know? Was there something I missed? Did I say it to easily? What if-

Applejack's hearty chuckle broke Twilight out of her spiraling thoughts. "It's alright, sugercube," she reassured kindly. "Lots of ponies who end up in the Vale prefer to leave their past at just that; in the past. If you don't want to talk about it I won't judge you, but don't lie about it. I can spot a lie off the back of a flying toad."

The bizarre words took a moment to settle in Twilight's brain. "Huh?"

Applejack started walking again, having missed the inquiry. "How many town's have you been around?" she asked.

"None," Twilight said. "I've never been outside this forest. I've never even seen a human before today."

Applejack gave her a surprised look. "Shoot, you ain't joking, are you?"

Twilight shook her head 'no.'

"Well then, count yourself one lucky filly, Twilight." Applejack was shaking her head in amazement. "See, most settlements beyond the forest aren't that nice a place to stumble into. Especially with you being a unicorn and all, humans love to get their hands on magical sorts." She gave Twilight's horn another glance. "Chances are you'd be snatched up and sold to the highest bidder before you could even blink. You'd never get a whiff of freedom again."

"And the humans of your village wont do that?"

Applejack grinned proudly. "My people all have good hearts. Ponyvale is a sanctuary for us ponyfolk, a place where the humans treat us with some respect instead of making us beasts of burden. We all pull our weight o' course, but we ain't made to be slaves or pets." A note of bitterness had entered her voice. "We get to choose our path without fear of being hunted down."

Twilight was silent. She didn't have anything to say to that. She'd been informed of the reality that the ponies in this world lived, but to hear it so bluntly... Slaves and pets.

Twilight was saved from thinking about it too deeply when she noticed a sudden change of scenery. The grim and sickly trees abruptly gave way to healthy green ones, and the dry grey grass became dry and golden. Pretty autumn leaves were scattered on the ground, and the sky above was a brilliant evening blue speckled with clouds. She took a deep breath of the cool air.

"The enchantment's a ring!" she realized out loud.

"Yep, no way Rarity would let as live in such an eye sore, fake or not. She'll fill it in if strangers come 'round, -er, human strangers- but otherwise it's a ring like you said."

"Rarity... is she the unicorn who made the enchantment?" Twilight asked.

"She sure is. It's because of her that Ponyvale is even possible." Applejack smiled. "Boy, won't she be happy to meet you! You're the first unicorn I've met since Rarity, and that was six years ago."

"There aren't other unicorns?"

"Like I said, humans like magic types. It's hard for unicorns to get way," Applejack said sadly. "Mostly it's just earth ponies like me in Ponyvale; it's all the rescuers can afford. We do have some pegasi, but only three."

"What do you mean 'rescuers'?" Twilight asked.

"Humans on the outside who know what Ponyvale is and want to help the cause," Applejack explained. "They seek out ponies in bad situations and try to buy 'em off their owners an' bring 'em here. Course, it only goes as far as they can afford, which isn't much."

The next several minutes passed in silence before Applejack saw something that made her perk up. "I can see the edge of the orchard! Come on Twilight, I'd like to introduce you to the Apple family." She picked up her pace to a steady canter and Twilight followed suit.

The trees changed from evergreens to golden leaved apple trees. There were hundreds of them. Twilight, having spent most of her life studying in a castle, had never actually seen a farm before. It didn't beat a library full of books, but she liked the atmosphere here. As they ran, some of the leaves floated off the branches overhead.

"There aren't any apple's on them," Twilight remarked.

"Corse not," Applejack laughed. "We just finished applebuck season two days ago. You came just in time, actually. Here in a couple a' days, we're having the fall harvest festival. It's a mighty fun event that goes until the cider runs dry." She gave Twilight a grin. "You ever had a good cider before, filly?"

"I can't say that I have." Twilight had sampled wines before at feasts and official gatherings, but she was still developing the taste for alcohol. Her sister-in-law, Cadence, said it took her forever to fully appreciate a good glass of wine, so Twilight opted to keep trying it every now and then.

"Well, we'll have to remedy that then. Heh, Granny says a good cup o' cider is a cure-all. Speak of the devil..." Applejack slowed down to a trot, much to Twilight's relief. The earth pony wasn't even fazed while she was panting for air.

Twilight could make out the shape of a large red building through the trees just ahead. A barn, if she had to guess. And, shuffling toward them as fast as her joints would allow, was an elderly earth pony the color of candy green.

Applejack stopped walking completely as the elder started shouting at them.

"Applejack! Now where in the hay have you been, girl! Mac's had to load all them apples by himself after you ran off." She came nose-to-nose with Applejack who, for her part, just maintained an impassive look. "Explain yer' self!"

Applejack gave a tired sigh. "Granny, I was called to go greet our new guest. Didn't you hear the border alarm?"

"Oh, was that what all that racket was? I thought Pinky just got hold a' the school bell again." For the first time, the old mare noticed Twilight standing awkwardly to the side. "Well howdy there young missy! Where are your manners, Applejack," she went back to scolding, "you ain't even introduced us yet."

Twilight thought that was a little unfair, the old mare having barely given them a chance to say a word so far, but Applejack looked unconcerned about being reprimanded.

"Granny, this is Twilight Sparkle. Twilight, this is Granny Smith. She's the head here at Sweet Apple Acers," Applejack explained, "and she's been around these parts long before the humans even built the village."

Twilight extended her hoof and Granny Smith shook it vigorously. "It's nice to meet you, ma'am."

"Hey, Big Mac! Applejack's back!" a small voice with an accent to match Applejack's called from across the field. A small, yellow filly raced to meet them while a red stallion followed at a more relaxed pace.

The filly skidded to a halt a few feet away when she saw Twilight and stared at her horn. "You're a unicorn!"

"Applebloom!" Applejack glared at the filly, but she was completely ignored.

Applebloom gave a gasp of excitement and darted around to where she could see Twilight's flank. "Wow, your cutie mark is really cool, miss! How did you get an explosion? And do you think I could get an explosion for a cutie mark? Can you teach me? Please?" She gave Twilight a pair of big, hopeful eyes before being dragged back by the large bow on her head.

Applejack gave the filly a scowl that this time made her wilt a little. "Applebloom, I know you have better manners than that."

"But Applej-"

"Na-ah, I don't want to hear it. Now you go an' introduce yourself proper-like to Twilight. And no more asking about cutie marks till you learn how to ask nicely." Applejack nudged Applebloom back towards Twilight.

"Oh, she's just being a filly," Granny remarked. "Want's her cutie mark real bad, but don't we all at that age." She gave Twilight a wink.

This time Applebloom approached at a much more controlled pace and extended her hoof. "Hi, my name's Applebloom."

Twilight smiled and took it. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. And my cutie mark isn't an explosion, it's a starburst."

"But isn't that the same as an explosion?" Applebloom cringed as soon as the question slipped out, shooting a glance in Applejack's direction.

"Sort of, but it's more of a burst of excess magic whereas an explosion is a flaming combustion usually caused by incompatible elements."

"Huh?"

"It means that my special talent is magic, not blowing things up," Twilight clarified.

"Oh." Applebloom pouted. "Guess I can't do that then."

"Awe, that don't mean you can't do other important things." Applejack gave her an encouraging nuzzle. "You'll get your cutie mark in good time, little sis. Now why don't you go and grab Twilight and me some snacks before we head into town."

"A snack making cutie mark! Why didn't I think of it before!" And with that Applebloom was racing toward the barn.

"I better go an' make sure she doesn't make a mess of the place," Granny said before following.

"That just leave Bic Macintosh, my older brother," Applejack put a hoof on the burly stallion. "He ain't much of a talker, but you won't find a harder worker anywhere."

"Yep," he agreed with a nod. He extended his hoof for a quick shake, then said to Applejack, "I've got to go make my delivery," before dismissing himself.

"Us Apples have been in this area longer than anyone," Applejack said, "and the farm is the cornerstone of the whole village. Best apples this side of New Eques." She gave the trees a fond look. "Without 'em I don't think Ponyvale would even exist. 'Least, not in the way it does now. Keeps us mostly self sustained and independent of other humans."

For the first time it occurred to Twilight that she hadn't seen any of the aforementioned creatures around the farm. "Do the humans take any of the apples?"

Applejack gave her an odd look. "Course they do. They need to eat too, after all. And they sell 'bout half of it to put money toward the town. We'd have a lot of apples go bad if they didn't. But unless their comin' round to do some work, Granny runs 'em off. This here is a pony run farm. We may cohere with the humans that run the village, but we have enough self dignity to keep this place as ours."

There was a deep-seeded fire in Applejack's eyes, the pride and strength of a free mare. Those emerald eyes told what words never could. This pony had something in her that would never yield, but Twilight couldn't place what it was.

She felt something warm on her collarbone. Twilight shifted her stance to displace whatever it was, but it only grew warmer, almost hot. Confused, she looked down at herself only to see nothing there.

What the...? oh. OH!

She'd forgotten that the elements were still sitting around her neck. But now realization hit her hard as she looked back up at Applejack, the pieces falling into place. She breathed sharply into her nose.

The heat was coming from an element. An element that wasn't at the center of her chest, which was where her own element sat.

Twilight looked at Applejack like she was seeing her for the first time. She's one of the elements. This pony I've been talking to for the past hour is one of the elements of harmony. One of my fellow-

"Um, Twilight? Are you alright? You look live you've seen a ghost or somethin," Applejack waved a hoof in front of her face, causing Twilight to snap out of her reverie.

"Oh! Sorry," Twilight gave her a sheepish look. "I just realized something kind of important, that's all." She was careful to phrase her sentence in a way that it was completely truthful while not letting on too much. Twilight knew she'd have to tell Applejack everything sooner or later, but she wanted to wait and learn more about her first. Such as seeing if she's even heard of the elements of harmony before.

Applejack raised an inquisitive eyebrow, but when Twilight offered no further explanation she didn't pry. Luckilly, the silence was cut short before it became uncomfortable by the return of a certain yellow filly.

"I've, pant, got, pant, the snacks, pant, you asked for!" Still trying to catch her breath after racing towards them, Applebloom presented a small basket with crudely cut apples, unevenly sliced cheese, and crackers that had half their ranks broken in half.

"Good work, Applebloom," Applejack praised as she rubbed her sister's head in rough affection.

The minute she was set free, Applebloom began spinning in circles in an attempt to get a better view of her rump. "So what does my cutie mark look like?"

Applejack rolled her eyes. "I think you're going to need a little more practice before you get a cutie mark in snack-making."

Applebloom pouted, but only briefly. "Oh well, was worth a try. I'm gonna go try gold minin' again!" She ran towards the trees.

Applejack called after her, " Have somepony go with you! We don't need you falling in the creek again!" If Applebloom heard, she didn't show it. "Eh, she'll be fine," Applejack shrugged as she helped herself to an apple slice. She nudged the basket over to Twilight. "She's about as good at getting out of trouble as she is at getting in it."

"She seems pretty adventurous," Twilight noted, to which Applejack huffed a laugh.

"'Adventurous' is selling it short." She laid down in the grass, so Twilight followed suit. "That filly doesn't stop till she drops. Can't tell you how many times I still have to carry her to bed. I just wish she had other fillies to do it all with."

Twilight swallowed the cheese and cracker she was working on before asking, "There aren't any other fillies her age?"

"No, there are a few. She get's along all right with Twist, but not so much with the other two. Not her type o' crowed I recon." Applejack pawed the ground thoughtfully. "I guess you'll meet them soon enough, and then you'll know what I mean." She went back to eating.

As they ate, Twilight contemplated.

Applejack was one of the element baerers, that was clear. The element had cooled to it's previous temperature, but she could still feel where it had been warm.

So now I know what the sign is, but... She'd been around Applejack for over an hour before the element responded. That meant she could very well come face to face with the others and not know it. What were they talking about when it grew warm? The farm? No it wasn't the subject so much as how she talked about it. That look of pride in her eyes is what triggered it. That still didn't explain much, nor did it necessarily mean it'd work the same for the others.

Twilight refrained from sighing in frustration, lest she elicit Applejack's concern again. For now, she'd have to keep going with her original plan: wait and see what happens.

But at least she knew who one of the elements was already. Applejack seemed to fit the ticket perfectly. She was obviously very strong, even by earth pony standards, and she seemed very self-assured. This is somepony I can work with, Twilight thought.

She spent the rest of their short picnic daydreaming about what sort of heroes the other four would be like. What it would be like charging into danger with them, bearing the elements to save ponykind. If they were anything like Applejack, then Twilight was feeling pretty good about the outcome of her destiny.

Ponyvale

It was a fifteen minute walk from Sweet Apple Acers to the edge of Ponyvale. Even from a distance, Twilight could tell that this village was very different from the city of Canterlot where she grew up.

Because Canterlot is built into a mountainside, it's buildings are often tall and closely pressed together. They are fashioned out of marble, stone, and other durable materials. Most are painted as brightly as the morning sun itself, and the cobbled streets are always kept clean.

Canterlot was the norm of Twilight's life, but seeing this little village made Twilight realize that her hometown was a paradise by comparison. Not to say Ponyvale was in any way unpleasant to view, but it was so very simple next to what she was used to.

Applejack took her around a longer rout so she could whiteness the town from the top of a hill, giving Twilight a good vantage point to study the basic layout of the town.

'Sprawling' was the first word that came to mind. At the core of the town was the central hearth and water well, around which formed the market square. Stalls were set up and Twilight could see the shapes of humans moving about them. The buildings immediately around the square sat close together the way Twilight was familiar with. Paved stone ran between them. However, the orderliness at the heart of the village dispersed rather quickly. Houses were spread further apart, merging with the tree-line. The cobblestone gave way to dirt paths that zigzagged around and in-between the buildings.

This lack of a clear structure made Twilight's eye want to twitch.

Disheveled layout or not, the buildings were well kept, if a bit weathered. Most were small, house-like huts made of wood and thatch. These often had small gardens and pens at their sides. The buildings surrounding the square were more varied in structure, but only a couple of them stood at two stories. All of the buildings were colored in the browns of the wood they'd been made from, the paint being reserved for the signs that hung over doorframes.

To the far side of the village, almost obscured from her vision, Twilight could see a path leading into the woods. It had rivets where years of carts being pulled across it's surface dug into the earth.

All-in-all, Ponyvale was a very small yet cozy village. A little haven tucked away into nowhere.

"Are you done lookin' or do I need to draw you up a map?" Applejack cut into Twilight's thoughts.

"Hm? Oh, right!" Twilight followed Applejack down the hill so she could actually whiteness Ponyvale up close, not just analyze it from a distance.

They dipped down into the trees again before coming onto more level ground. Soon, the first buildings were visible amidst the trees. Applejack walked past these with little interest. Something about them... bugged Twilight.

It was after about the third shabby little house they passed that Twilight was able to place what her subconscious mind had picked up: The proportions of the doors, windows, and, well, everything was completely off. These where human structures.

Twilight already knew that fact, but seeing the difference in the architecture made it all the more surreal.

"Where are we headed?" She ventured to ask after they passed some more buildings. They were getting to be closer together, and Twilight counted passing by over a dozen humans. Many of them watch the ponies curiously, but not one bothered them.

"Town square," Applejack answered. "Got someone there we should meet up with before we move on to the stable-house. That'll be where most ponies are at this hour. It's good timing; lets the word get 'round that you're a welcome visitor. Some folks..." she trailed off hesitantly, "aren't quite as friendly toward strangers as some," Applejack decided on. "No one'll give you much trouble so long as they see you're with me," she added in reassurance.

The square was a place that buzzed with happy energy. It wasn't the bustling chaos that was Canterlot's market square, but it was still very clearly the center of life in the village. Embers still glowed in the hearth from the previous night, offering a place of warmth to those who were chilled by the autumn air. Many of the vendors were already closing their stalls as it was late evening. Tall humans pulled water from the well by grasping a rope with their claw-less hands.

As Applejack led Twilight onward, the humans muttered to each other in words Twilight couldn't understand, pointing at her and smiling.

Then Twilight saw a sight that really grabbed her attention.

A cluster of human children were gathered in the open space not far from the hearth, surrounding and riding on a bright pink pony. And the pony was laughing with the children as she bounced up and down, jostling the small humans that held onto her glittering saddle. When she stopped they slid off, and another pair climbed aboard.

The scene was absurd and rather undignified, but Twilight found herself smiling.

"Pinkie!" Twilight jumped at the loudness of Applejack's shout.

The pink mare froze in her prancing and gave a gasp so loud Twilight could hear it clearly over the high-pitched squeals of the little humans. She shook herself to shed both her saddle (and the kids still on it) then bounced, quite literally bounced, over to Twilight.

In less than three heartbeats Twilight found her personal space infiltrated as the blue expanse of two smiling eyes filled her vision. The pink mare's nose was nearly touching her own.

"Hi! I'm- whoa!" Whatever she was about to say was cut off as Applejack yanked her back by her overly poofy tail.

"We talked about this, Pinkie," Applejack warned. "Boundaries."

"Oh, right!" She stuck out a forehoof to gauge her distance in front of Twilight. She quirked her ears to the farm pony. Once given a nod of approval from Applejack, the pink mare launched back into her introduction... and a few inches forward.

"Hi! My name is Pinkamina Dian Pie, but you can just call me Pinkie Pie! I used to live on a rock farm, then I lived in a circus, and now I live here in Ponyvale. Oh, welcome to Ponyvale, by the way!" She stuck out her hoof again, this time in an invitation for Twilight to take it.

She obliged, tentatively shaking the offered hoof. "I'm Twilight Sparkle,"

Pinkie clasped Twilight's hoof in both of hers, jostling her arm so vigorously that Twilight started to feel dizzy before she was abruptly released.

"I'm so, so glad to meet you Twilight! It's been wayyyy too long since we've had any new ponies around. And you're just in time, too! The Autumn Harvest Festival in only three days away! And there's nothing like a good ol' Ponyvale party to welcome a new pony to town!" She bounced around Twilight playfully as she spoke. "Right, Applejack?"

"I'm not sure if it's the best way, but I'll be darned if the Festival ain't in the top three," she said with a proud grin. "So Pinkie, I was just about to take Twilight here 'round to the stable so she can meet everypony. Wanna tag along?"

"Are you kidding me?! Ab-so-lute-ly!" she over-emphasized each syllable with a bounce. "I love helping friends make new friends!"

"Great! But first, you've gotta answer a question for me before we go," Applejack said.

Pinkie Pie's reaction was immediate. The energetic prancing stopped and she stood rigidly still, her hooves positioned close together. Her ears drew back by a fraction and her tail twitched. She smiled a smile that was just a bit too broad. "What is it?"

Twilight got the feeling that Pinkie knew exactly what she was about to be asked.

"Pinkie," Applejack started in a slow drawl, "where are your vegetables for the day?"

"Right where they're supposed to be," Pinkie forced out a laugh.

Applejack scowled, and Pinkie visibly wilted, her knees bending, her ears falling all the way lo lie flat against her head, and her tail tucking between her legs. She gave a guilty whimper.

Applejack sighed and let up the stern face a little. "We talked about this, Pinkie Pie. And as I recall, you pinkie promised to eat your vegetables every day after the last incident."

"I know, I know." Pinkie dragged herself over to the hearth and removed a stone near the base. Reaching in, she pulled out a pile of green stalks along with a couple of carrots. She looked down at them with a pout. "I was just kinda hoping that I could save them until later..."

Applejack shook her head. "We ain't leaven' till you've eaten every last one of those." And with that she plopped down on her flank.

"Heh, Leaf-in," Pinkie joked half-heartedly.

Not sure what else to do Twilight settled onto her stomach with her hooves tucked beneath her.

Shaking herself resolutely, Pinkie Pie grabbed the dreaded food and scooted in-between the other two, working around the rope and sitting closer than Twilight found comfortable. She dove in without any more hesitation.

"So..." Twilight tried to figure out how to phrase her question.

"Oh, oh, I know!" Pinkie bounced in place, taking Twilight's hesitation as an invitation. "You want to know how you can help with the festival!"

"Err, no. Well yes actually," Twilight amended, "but that's not what I was gonna-"

"Or you want to know how many other pony's live here! That's the first thing I wanted to know too," Pinkie nodded sagely.

"Yes, but that's not what I was-"

"Or maybe you just want to ask how we're doing! I'm doing great, by the way, even if I have to eat this icky stuff." She poked her food. "Or maybe you want to know how to whip cream just right so it's not too stiff or to melty! I can show you that. Or maybe you wanted to ask Applejack a question like 'why is the sky blue?' or 'why is your family called Apples even though they aren't really apples? or 'were do foals come from?" Pinkie tilted her head and pouted at the aforementioned mare. "She still won't answer that last one."

Applejack shook her head. "Nope."

Twilight tried again, "Uh, no. I was just wondering-"

"Ooh, ooh, maybe-"

"Pinkie!" Applejack finally snapped.

Pinkie snapped her mouth shut and settled down, looking mildly abashed. Mildly.

Applejack gave Twilight a nod, and Twilight in turn smiled her silent gratitude.

"I was just wondering what's the big deal about the vegetables. You made this sound like something that happens quite often." Twilight shrugged to pass her question off as nonchalant, but truthfully she was very curious. A foal putting up a fuss about their dinner was one thing, but a full grown mayor? If she wasn't eating vegetables, then that'd be a pretty sad diet for a vegetarian species.

"Oooooh," Pinkie said at the revaluation. She slapped a hoof to her forehead. "I should have known that's what you'd ask. It's always the obvious ones," she tisked.

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Pinkie Pie here is breaking out of a diet of pure sugar. We've been working on it for the past three years."

Pinkie nodded. "The circuits had lots and lots of yummy treats! They'd always give me the leftovers after a show. Cupcakes, funnel cake, cake cake, cotton candy, fritters, pies, basically anything that wouldn't stay good long enough for the next show. And during the day, people would throw candy to me! Lollipops and licorice and even gum! Sometimes it took a while to get it out of my mane, but boy was it worth it! Those were the good ol' days," she reminisced.

While Pinkie stared off dreamily, her veggies forgotten, Twilight noticed that Applejack was clenching her jaw. She tilted her head sideways in a silent question, but Applejack just shook her head and mouthed the word 'later.'

"Go on and finish up now, Pinkie," Applejack urged. "We don't have daylight to spare."

With a final grimace, Pinkie Pie wolfed down the last of her greens. As soon as they were gone, she bounced to her hooves. "All done!" she announced. "Now lets go introduce you to everypony!" She raced on ahead before the others had even risen.

Applejack and Twilight followed her at a more leisurely pace.

"So what's with the look?" Twilight asked once they were out of the square.

Applejack sighed a tired and sad sigh. "Pinkie likes to make the circus out to be some amazing wonderland, a world full of fun and games. She's always telling ponies the good stuff, but..." she shook her head. "it's nothing but a coat of pretty paint to hide the wood rot."

"How so?"

Applejack let a moment of thought pass before answering. "Twilight, if Pinkie Pie had stayed in that circus instead of being rescued she'd be dead by now."

That caused Twilight to trip over her hooves. She gave Applejack a disbelieving look, to which the earth mayor nodded.

"What Pinkie leaves out of the story is that those leftover pastries they gave her are all they gave her. That was her meal of the day, split up among whatever other ponies and animals they had. And if there was no show? She went hungry that night.

"Pinkie Pie loves to preform and entertain. She likes making people and ponies happy." Her face darkened. "The people at the circus love making quick coin. She's lucky that the feller in charge of her decided to sneak her out and get her here. It ain't my place to say anymore than that, but you need to know that her past can be a sensitive subject. Same goes for a lot of ponies here."

Twilight nodded, making a mental note to check in with Applejack before asking anymore personal questions about ponies.

As they entered an area with tall grass and more trees than buildings, Twilight thought she saw someone in her peripheral vision. When she turned to look, no one was there.

Something slammed into Twilight's chest hard enough to knock the wind out of her and her vision to briefly go dark. She could feel claws gripping tightly around her neck and pressing into her chest.

As Twilight's vision swam back into view, she saw a pair of golden eyes glaring at her over a silently snarling beak.

In the suddenness of all this, Twilight could only think one thing: Eagles aren't supposed to be that big. She blinked the fog out of her mind and took a better look at her attacker. This time, she saw the golden-brown fur beyond the white feathers.

A-a griffin! Of, course, Twilight, ponies aren't the only creatures who were sucked away. But why is there one here? And why is she looking at me like that?! Wait, not at me..

With her barring fully returned, Twilight realized that the griffin's eyes didn't quite meet her own. Instead, they where directed to the side of her head. With a quick glance, Twilight looked to see that it was the rope connecting her to Applejack that held the griffin's ire.

"Hi-a Gilda!" Pinkie pranced on over, unfazed by the peril Twilight was currently in.

"Sup," the griffin grumbled absently. Her intense glare turned into an annoyed frown as she shifted her eyes to Twilight.

"Gilda," Applejack said warningly.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I see it." With a small shove the griffin, Gilda, got off of her.

Twilight coughed a little as she got back to her hooves. Gilda slowly walked around her in a predatory prowl.

"Ah-hem, Gilda, this is Twilight Sparkle," Applejack introduced. "Twilight, this is Gilda, our resident griffin."

"Hello," Twilight waved weekly.

Gilda scowled.

"So-uh, I've never met a griffin before-"

"Listen here, unicorn," Gilda cut her off, "I don't trust strangers hangin' around Ponyvale. Know that that rope tying you to Applejack is the one thing keeping me from not killing you right now. If I see you wandering around without it, I'll have to assume that you're up to no good and kill you. If you do anything that even might threaten my pride, I'll kill you. Got that?"

Without waiting for Twilight's reply, Gilda spun around and took to the sky, letting out a mighty eagle cry as she went.

"That went well!" Pinkie began skipping down the path once more.

"It... did?" Sure, she hadn't been eaten, but Twilight wouldn't constitute that as 'went well.'

"Don't worry, Twilight," Pinkie slowed down to trot by her side. "That whole big, scary, meanie-mean griffin act is just for show. Gilda's actually a big softie and would never hurt anypony."

Applejack snorted. "Right. A softie."

"You could have mentioned there was a griffin here," Twilight griped.

Applejack shrugged. "You're right, I could have. Just chose not to."

"You chose not to warn me about the possibility of being attack by a griffin in the grass?" Twilight asked incredulously.

"Don't be silly, Gilda pounced from the trees, not the grass," Pinkie chided.

Really? I could have sworn I saw-

"Sorry Twilight, but Griffins tend to send ponies packing unless they get to know 'em first," Applejack explained. "I've had one to many ponies panic the second I mentioned her, so I stopped mentioning her."

Seeing the look on Twilight's face, Pinkie wrapped a hoof around her. "Awe, don't be like that, Twi. Gilda's one of Ponyvale's best surprises! It wouldn't be very surprising if we told everybody about it!" Pinkie put a hoof to her chin. "Tell you what, after you and AJ are done meeting everypony, I'll take you 'round to the library!"

Twilight blanched. "There's a library here?!"

"Mm-hm!"

"Really? Where is it? How big is it? How- Wait, how did you know I'd like to go to a library?"

"You smell like books."

"I- I do?"

"Yep! Actually, you smell like you were living in a house made out of books. Not as fun as gingerbread house, but if it make's you happy than it makes me happy." Pinkie beamed at Twilight, and Twilight couldn't help but smile back at the joyful mare as a warmth spread in her heart.

Wait... Not in her heart, on her heart!

"What is it Twilight?"

"Oh- a- nothing. Come on, we better catch up with Applejack before she starts to drag me along," Twilight joked at the rope.

Thats... unexpected, Twilight thought. Pinkie doesn't seem like a very heroic type. She acts so foalish. But I guess I don't mind that much, she seems like decent company. That was two elements discovered in one afternoon. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard to figure out after all.

The Other Side

"Quills?"

"Check!"

"Ink?"

"Check?"

"Weatherproof parchment?"

"With plenty to spare." Spike put the rolls of paper snugly into the backpack. He then made another mark on the checklist of things to be packed, right next to the two other checkmarks from the last two times they'd gone over their supplies. He then added a checkmark to the final box on the list, which was also the only one still without any marks. "And that concludes our triple check of the checklist!" He declared.

Twilight shifted her weight around. "Maybe we should do it a fourth time just in case..." He voice trailed off at the flat look Spike gave her.

"There are literally three items on this list." He held it up for Twilight to see the dishearteningly short list.

Princess Celestia had made it perfectly clear that they were to take only the bare essentials into the other world, and that amounted to a backpack full of quills, ink, and parchment. This way, she could still send word home through Spike's dragon fire.

According to Sunset Shimmer's research, getting things to the other world wasn't difficult, it was getting things back that served as a challenge. She and Starlight have been working on some sort of twin journal pen-pall thing as a means for easier communication, but have yet to find satisfactory results. Thus far, the only two ways to send word without actually opening portals was dragon fire and dream walking, courtesy of Princess Luna. Apparently dreams are held within a dimension of their own, so Luna would be able to access Twilight no matter where she was so long as there wasn't any magic deliberately blocking the dreams.

Speaking of which, Sunset Shimmer joined her and Spike in the library. She would be the one to open the portal and escort Twilight and Spike on the first leg of their journey. According to her, there was someone who would be able to assist Twilight on her quest. As a bonus, she was situated close to where Celestia believed the other elements to be.

As cryptic as Celestia was being about the elements, she did admit to having enough of a connection left to sort of 'sense' the whereabouts of the other five elements. It was the powerful burst of magic that Twilight had emitted upon receiving her cutie mark that had allowed Celestia to actually find her, but the princes was always vaguely ware of the presence of the bearers.

"You have everything you need?" Sunset asked her.

"No," Twilight grumbled, "just everything I'm allowed to bring."

Sunset shrugged. "If we want this plan to work, you can't be dragging a library around with you."

"I know, I know, I know," Twilight sighed. "Remind me again why I agreed to this whole 'getting myself captured' plan again?" She of course didn't actually need a refresher, the plan they had worked out was the most logical option.

Sunset Shimmer just shook her head and smiled. "You know that it's the leas suspicious way to get into the Vale. And it's not like you can't escape anytime you want." She glanced at Twilight's horn. "Just remember to keep a lid on the magic as much as possible."

The village that supposedly housed the other element bearers was a rather queer one. For one thing, it was located deep in a forest called the Everfree. It was a place most humans, especially those that considered themselves 'civil,' avoided.

The other thing about it was that it acted as a secret sanctuary for ponies. According to Sunset's observations and her mystery friend that they would soon be meeting, the people of that village treated ponies a lot better and gave them a lot more freedom than anywhere else in that world. A place where ponies and humans actually lived in harmony.

Of course, it was a precarious balance. Should outside humans learn how many ponies freely lived in the forest village, they'd try to exploits it as a resource. What kept them oblivious was the illusion spell that surrounded the area. Sunset said the spell wasn't a particularly impressive one, and if she wanted to she could diminish it with barely a flick of her horn. But it was enough to fool people that the village was decrepit and the forest dangerous. Any unwelcome visitors were quick to leave.

For all these reasons, the village hidden in the Everfree forest was known as Ponyvale. That was Twilights destination just as soon as-

"Okay, Twilight, I'm ready to show you!" Starlight Glimmer joined them in the castle library. Levitated in her magic were the six elements of harmony, all affixed to the golden neckband that had appeared when Twilight first touched her own element. Without waiting for permission, Starlight tied them around Twilight's neck, then angled her horn toward them. "Hold still," she warned just before blasting the elements with a beam of magic.

Twilight screwed her eyes shut at the light, then opened them to see that she could no longer see the necklace but she could still feel it on her. "An invisibility spell?" Twilight raised an eyebrow. By the way Starlight was grinning, you'd think she'd discovered a seventh element.

"Not just a regular invisibility spell. This one makes the elements invisible to all the senses. Well, to everyone except you, that is."

Twilight mulled over the concept. "You don't mean-"

"Yes I do, and yes I did." Starlight gave her a smug look.

"Wait, what did you do?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

Starlight pointed to Twilight's neck. "Try to touch the elements," she told Sunset.

Sunset complied, reaching a hoof to where she'd last seen the elements. She frowned as she met a resistance an inch above Twilight's fur. Twilight could not only feel the element pressed into her, but she could see the indent on her skin.

Sunset, however, jumped back as if Twilight's mane had just sprouted snakes. "Whoa that's wired! I didn't feel anything." She tilted her head at Starlight. "How'd you manage an ivisi-feeling spell?"

"Oh, well, it was not easy, I can tell you that. You see, in order to block nerve reception-"

"Um, girls?" Spike waved his claws between the two. "I really don't think we have time for this right now." He looked to Twilight for support.

"He's right," Twilight sighed reluctantly. As much as she'd like to delay for a little longer, she had a mission to carry out. First, though, she pulled Starlight into a quick embrace. "Thank you for all the work you've put into this. I'll be counting on you to do your part from here." Starlight simply returned the embrace.

They separated after a few moments, and Twilight nodded to Sunset. "Open the portal."

Sunset closed her eyes as a teal glow surrounded her horn. Sparks started to appear at a focused point about eye level. They went from flickering to a sizzling hum, three miniature stars circling each other tightly in the air. As the points of light gained speed, they grew farther apart from each other. The hoof-wide space between them seemed to waver. With a startling bang the whole thing stretched into a swirling vortex big enough to swallow a pony.

"After you," Sunset said.

Twilight gulped, but remained resolved. "You ready, Spike?"

The little dragon griped the straps of his pack. "Ready!"

Before she could allow any other doubts or delays to creep up, Twilight took a deep breath and ran through the portal.

"Uuug." The world slowly stopped spinning. Twilight shook her head to clear the fog of dizziness as her senses came too.

"You alright, Twilight?"

Her eyes focused on Sunset Shimmer looking down at her. "I think so. Is entering a poral always like that?"

"Eh, more or less. I guess I've just gotten used to it. All good, Spike?"

The dragon had landed on his belly with his tail dangling in the air, but upon being addressed he sprang to his feet. "That was actually kind of fun. Do you think we could do it again sometime?" He asked hopefully.

Twilight looked around their surroundings, but there wasn't much to see. Trees, trees, bush, flowers, trees...

"How close are we?"

Sunset pointed through the trees. "About fifteen minutes that-a-way to Zecora's. She's the friend whose been helping me out. And that way," Sunset turned about forty-five degrees, "it's about a two hour hike before you reach the outer edges of the illusion spell. It'll be even further to the village."

"Okay, so let's go meet this Zecora pony." Twilight started off in the direction Sunset had first indicated.

"Not a pony, actually," Sunset corrected. She took the lead and guided them through the twisting trees.

True to her word, it was only a short time before the group reached their destination. The shrubs thinned to reveal the biggest tree Twilight had ever seen. Colorful masks littered the area in front of it while chimes and other baubles hung from the branches. An ornate door was embedded between the roots while light spilled from windows carved into the wood.

"Whoa, does she really live in there?" Spike asked, pointing at the tree.

"Yep," Sunset said. "A little outdated, if you ask me, but she seems happy with it."

Twilight brushed her hoof along one of the roots. "I once read that a lot of ponies used to live in enchanted trees like this in ancient Equestria, back before in became too dangerous to live near forests."

"Sunset Shimmer," an new voice cut into the conversation, "please don't linger at the door. I haven't met these friends before."

"Zecora!" Sunset trotted over to greet the figure standing just inside the tree. "This here is Twilight Sparkle and the dragon is her assistant, Spike. Spike, Twilight, this is Zecora."

Twilight smiled and extended a hoof while Spike gaped silently. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Please, the pleasure is all mine," Zecora shook the offered hoof. "I'm glad to see you've made it on time."

"You're a zebra!" Spike blurted out. Indeed, while Zecora had a very pony-like figure, her mane mas short and her body was covered in black and white stripes. Gold bangles rapped around one hoof to match the gold around her neck.

Twilight glared at her assistant for his rude remark, but Zecora just gave a hearty laugh. "Indeed I am, my little drake. I assure these stripes are not fake. And before you inquiry about my rhyme, yes, it's something I do all the time." She winked and Spike gave her an awed look.

"Now come along inside my home, guest's are nice when you live alone." Zecora backed away to allow the others entry.

The inside of the house carried a voodoo ambiance. Jars and vials hung from the ceiling and lined the shelves, various flowers, roots, and gems placed neatly between them. More masks hung from the walls, and a set of stairs led to an upper level. But what really caught her eye was the large black cauldron stationed in the center of it all. It would have struck Twilight as rather creepy if the contents didn't smell so good.

The scent of the soup made Twilight's stomach rumble; it'd been many hours since breakfast by the time they actually left. She gave a nervous laugh.

Zecora smiled. "Do not be ashamed of you're stomach's squeal, we can discuss over a hearty meal." The zebra proceed to fetch four bowls and a ladle.

Once everyone was settled around a small table and had some time to eat, Twilight began to talk. "So, Sunset tells me you know a lot about this world, more than she has learned with all her research. And you have a way to help me save everypony?"

Zecora took her time in drinking her broth before giving her reply. "You, little pony, have a dream that's very large, a passion to heal some ancient scars. But this task of yours has no easy trick, no answers to make it all quick. For now it must be your greatest concern to be patient, listen, and learn.

"For a thousand years within this place, Equestrians have left a lasting trace. But in this time much was lost, the lives we live come at a cost. Few have kept the stories strong, and fewer still know that this is not where we belong."

"Ponies don't know about Equestria?!" Spike asked in disbelief.

Zecora nodded sadly. "It's the victors who weave the tails, and in this world where magic fails it's the humans that prevail. Thus, it is your task to bring them light, and give them all a reason to fight. If you should simply knock from door to door, they'd dismiss your words as silly lore."

In all her research and preparation, Twilight had never even considered the possibility of ponies forgetting Equestria ever existed. Zecora was right, even if everything with the elements worked out perfectly, ponies would be skeptical at the very least. "What should I do?"

"Ponies may not wish to follow your lead, but a hero is still something they need." Zecora pulled a large tome from her small bookshelf. She set aside the empty bowls to put the book in their place. She flipped through it to reveal intricate maps with colorful markings, pages of notes, and much, much more. "Strike the problems that are worse, dispel what makes life a curse. Aim to ease the pain of the land, be the one to take a stand. Of your good deeds whispers will spread, of heroism rumors will thread. When your name has reached it's height, and ponies speak it in good light, then you will finally have the day when you can lead them all away." She closed the book.

"But too much we've spoken of distant times, you already know what's on the line. Each journey begins with step one, and it's high time that you've begun." Zecora stood from her stool. and led the group to the door.

"I better get back to the castle," Sunset agreed as she to stood up. "You going to be alright from here?" she asked Twilight.

"I think so. Thanks for taking me this far."

"No worries." Sunset made her way to the door. "And don't hesitate to message me if you need anything. I can always make a special delivery to Zecora's." The zebra nodded her agreement, and with that Sunset left to go preform her return spell.

"Your destination is north that way. I recommend letting the people have their way. They are good and will cause you no harm, so long as you don't give them reason for alarm."

Twilight smiled without humor. "Sunset told me they'll try to catch me like I'm an animal."

Zecora gave her a stern frown. "And for this they have good reason. Ponies that show up have usually lived a harsh season. They do not know that these humans wish to help, for it was humans that caused the damage dealt."

Twilight drew here ears back, realizing what the zebra meant. "Sorry."

Zecora gave a satisfied nod. "This experience will do you good, teaching what's to be understood." She looked to Spike. "Now, to a dragon they may not be as friendly, so Spike will stay here with me."

"Cool! Can you teach me to make potions?" Spike asked her eagerly.

Zecora smiled. "Perhaps I may, so long as you obey."

Spike stood up straight with an earnest nod, his wings folded back formally. The twitch in his tail betrayed is energetic excitement.

"Be good, Spike," Twilight warned. "I don't want any reports of you causing trouble, well meaning or not. If Zecora tells you no, that's final. Alight?"

Spike nodded, then tackled Twilight in a hug. "You won't be gone long, right?"

"Tell you what, if I don't come check in with two weeks, come and find me. I don't think it'll take that long, but just in case." Twilight gave him a final squeeze.

"Thank you, Zecora. If there's any way I can ever repay you-"

"My actions aren't for personal gain," Zecora waved her off. "I truly believe it's time for a change."

Twilight gave her a grateful smile, then stepped out the door. "You can do this, Twilight," she whispered to herself.

She felt the illusion long before she saw it. The air around her was laced with magic, but it was a feeble and finnicky thing. Almost like a delicate spiderweb. Soon after, the effects of the spell became apparent. Golden bark turned grey as heathy trees became twisted and sickly. Pools of black goop nestled in the roots and dark green weeds obscured her vision. If Twilight couldn't feel the magic of the spell, it would have made a very convincing haunted forest.

Twilight kept walking, unhindered by the glow of eyes or any frightening sounds. She had to admit that a glamour spell this size in a world resistant to magic was rather impressive. After some time she decided to indulge her curiosity and dipped her hoof into a pool of the black ink. When she pulled it back, her hoof was still purple and dry.

"Not a tangible illusion, then," she muttered out loud. Illusions were only as good as they were undetectable. If anyone was brave enough, they'd quickly see through this.

Twilight then tried to investigate a pair of eyes, but as she drew close they winked out. When next she saw some, she used a quick telescopic spell to see it from afar. "Thought so." The two orbs of light hung suspended in the air with no actual animal attached to them.

"Still, it's clever." Twilight looked around the various aspect of the illusion with a newfound respect. "Whoever makes this illusion must have to keep it up constantly, the spell's not strong enough to hold out on it's own." She heard a bird whistle somewhere to her left, and another returned the call some ways ahead.

She trudged on, her interest in the illusion quickly fading as her hooves began to ache. The sharp snap of a twig caused Twilight to jump. "It's just the illusion," she scolded herself. Still, as she walked she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

All of the sudden, a figure stepped into her path. Twilight took an instinctive step back, then paused as fascination took over once again. I'm seeing a human for the first time! Her inner thoughts screamed excitedly.

True to the descriptions, it stood on long hind legs, making it so that her snout barely reached the height of it's belly. It's arms and hands where like a monkey's, held up in what Twilight assumed was a non-threatening gesture. What really got her, however, was his face. Despite lacking a proper muzzle or longer ears, his face was distinctly pony-ish. The expression he wore conveyed a clear message of calm friendliness.

Twilight was so enraptured with this first human that, until now, she'd failed to realize she was surrounded by them. Most had their hands up like the first, but several held lengths of rope. Twilights ears drew back.

The one in front of her made a series of clicking noises and beckoned with his hands.

Twilight didn't move. Being captured may be part of the plan, but her heart was still pounding uncomfortably in this situation.

When she made no move, the human took a cautious step forward, then another.

Not sure what else she should do, Twilight simply stood her ground. She didn't approach, but she didn't run.

As he got close, the human reached to his belt with one hand, his other still up. Twilight realized that he had a rope of his own that he was pulling out, still keeping eye contact with her.

She briefly wondered if she should put up a bit of a fight to make her 'capture' more convincing, but the next moment the rope was around her neck. The moment it was pulled taught, the tension of the area broke.

The humans around her visibly relaxed. They grinned and pointed, chittering out words she didn't understand. Her captor said some things to her, but Twilight couldn't make any sense of what it was. His tone, however, was friendly.

With gentle tugs of the rope, the humans led Twilight forward. A few reached out toward her, but when she flinched at the touch they backed away respectfully.

They're not so bad, I guess, she thought. It's still wiered, though.

A sound from ahead drew Twilight's attention, and soon after a mare trotted out of the foliage to meet Twilight and her new entourage. She was an amber orange color with straw-like hair tied at the ends. She wore a wide rim cowgirl hat and an even wider smile.

She dipped her hat in greeting. "Howdy there! Name's Applejack."