Chapters ''I just don't get it, Gummy,'' Pinkie Pie said on a bright morning. ''Why does everypony always think I have a problem with nonstop partying?''
Gummy, the pink mare's pet alligator, bobbed his head and chewed a bright yellow baloon. ''I mean, it's not like I'm ONLY addicted to it. I like new ponies, friends, sweets, and dancing too.''
''Pinkie, your party guests are here!'' Mrs. Cake called from the kitchen.
''Okay, tell them I'll be out in a minute!'' Pinkie replied. ''Gummy, our friends are finally here! Come on!'' She pulled her alligator down the purple stairs and placed him on his chair.
''Hi guys! Ready for some partyin--'' Pinkie said excitedly to her 5 main pony friends, but was quickly cut off.
''Pinkie Pie, your party will have to be cancelled,'' Twilight Sparkle, a lavender unicorn, said strongly but sounded more disappointed. Pinkie frowned and opened her mouth but didn't have a chance to talk. A rainbow mare-- er-- rainbow PEGASUS mare explained what was going on and why.
''Well, Pinks, the Princess has requested for us to Canterlot Towers for an important reason and...'' Rainbow Dash said. ''...Well... Your party will need to be post-poned until we're done.''
''The princess mentioned the Elements of Harmony, so there's something out there in Equestria that is an enemy of Celestia. Said she needed all six of us there,'' Twilight chimed in.
''For Heavens sake, guys-- The Princess needs us at Canterlot. Now. We'll explain the rest during our trip to Canterlot, okay?'' Rarity, a pure white unicorn with lavender mane, said strongly.
''Fine,'' said Twilight.
''Guys, guys! Arguing ain't going to get us nowhere. Let's go,'' Applejack, an earth pony fond of apples, said.
''I, uh, really don't mind--'' a pegasus, yellow and pink, said.
''Ugh. Can we just. Get. On with it?!'' Twilight groaned.
''Fine,'' five ponies said at once.
''But show Pinkie the letter first,'' Rainbow Dash said. ''So she knows exactly what we're talking about.''
Twilight levitated a scroll out of her saddlebag. The scroll, itself, was small but pretty. It was tied together with red and blue ribbon. It stated:
Dear Twilight,
I have spotted a site of damage here in Canterlot. My guards may have traced the damage to cause of flame. Which can only mean one thing. Flame, a fire's glow and warmth, burned the area and somepony is behind it. I know very well who it is, and why and how. You and your friends will need the Elements of Harmony to stop it from harming Equestria and its citizens. All six of you, meet me in Canterlot Tower.
-Your faithful teacher, Princess Celestia
''See? Now let's get this show on the road!''
* * *
The train's engines roared. The whistle on top of the vehicle tooted. A brown and black colt loudly said, ''All aboard who's coming aboard!''
''I hope this road doesn't turn out to lead to nowhere. I would hate to let Princess Celestia down,'' Twilight Sparkle stated as the train's wheels rotated and the train cars moved swiftly to Canterlot. Applejack rolled her eyes and sighed.
''I don't feel good,'' said AJ, ''I feel like I'm sweating as hard as a pig on a summer's day.''
''There's a soda bar right there in the car next to us. I insist you have something. There's a long ride ahead of us,'' Rainbow Dash said. ''No charge. I'll take care of the bill.''
''Ya sure, Rainbow?'' Applejack said.
''Absolutely!'' Rainbow said. ''I don't want anypony to feel sick at the beggining of the long ride!'' She flinched and landed softly on the car's floor. She whispered to herself, ''Not after what happened when I was a filly.''
''Uh, what?''
''It's a long story. I'll tell you later. Why don't we focus on that soda...''
''Thank ya kindly, Rainbow.''
Applejack and her rainbow maned friend walked into the bar. It seemed small on the outside, but very large of an inside.
Twilight watched the two mares enter her car. She commented, ''Wow, you must be thirsty!'' while AJ sipped every last little drop of her drink.
''U-uh, Rainbow, Twilight, Applejack? I think there's something wrong with this TRAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNN!'' Fluttershy screamed as the train stumbled across the farmland in the air.
''THERE'S AN EXIT!'' Twilight shouted.
''H-HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET O-OUTT OF HERE?!'' Fluttershy screamed some more.
''GUYS, JUMP OUT!!!'' Twilight said, ''I HAVE AN IDEA!''
''BUT--'' Rarity said.
''DO IT!''
All ponies jumped. They screamed, of course, who wouldn't scream when they were falling 100 feet from the sky? Twilight's horn glowed with a purple magical aura, and soon glowed on all six ponies. In a flash and a spark, they were gone. They appeared at the entrance of Canterlot Castles.
''Now what was that about?'' Applejack asked.
''Flame,'' Twilight said. ''A certain kind of flame. Aura's Magic flame. Whatever touches it will be sent through the air. Purposely, because it was once used for defeating villains and such. I have a book in my library about it.'' She was still gasping for breath.
''Well, guys. Princess Celestia said that she needs us, and she needs us. Come on!'' Rainbow Dash said and flew into the towers.
Everypony gasped. Here, in the center of all their adventures in stained glass, was a beautiful window with a picture of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor defeating the Changlings.
''Ah, Twilight and friends. I was hoping you'd come.''
That familiar voice belonged to the one and only-- Celestia.
''I have called you here because of the flame sited.''
''We read your letter. Earlier today, Aura's Magic infected our train,'' Twilight told her.
''I see. Might you be aware that the certain type of flame you experienced was also the kind used to defeat--''
''Enemies.''
Celestia nodded. She said, ''Follow me.''
She led them to a special part of the palace, and pointed to a stained glass picture. It showed of a large pony, with a crown like Celestia's, fighting a white and pink unicorn and a blue and purple unicorn.
''Well, well, well, look who's here today,'' said a female voice.
''Um, Princess? W-what was that?'' Fluttershy shivered.
Celestia completely ignored her and shouted, ''Shredder! Get out here!''
Twilight's face turned pale.
''Shredder? As in Shredder Boom?!'' she asked nervously.
''Yes,'' Celestia said.
An enormously huge silhouette of a pony about Celestia's size herself flashed against the walls. In a second, an alicorn, female, stepped into view. She looked like the Princess, though not the same color. And what was wrong with her hair? It was... FIRE.
The alicorn laughed maniacally. Her crown glowed.
''What is that thing?'' Applejack asked.
''A Flame Pony,'' Twilight answered. ''They were enemies of the Princess awhile, if you think back into a millenium ago. Flame Ponies have the most potential for discord and fire.''
''Right you are, Twilight Sparkle,'' said the Flame Pony.
''Hey! Don't you dare do anything to us!'' Rainbow Dash zoomed over to her. She was quickly stopped from hitting the enemy by a... Ball of fire?
''Don't think of trying it, Rainbow Dash,'' Shredder said as Rainbow was shot back by the impact of the fire.
''I know, fighting isn't my thing, but I can RIP YOU TO PIECES IF I HAVE TO!!'' Rarity yelled and jumped.
''Rarity, don't!'' Twilight caught Rarity with her magic.
''Oh, it's all right, Twilight Sparkle,'' Shredder Boom said calmly. Her horn lit up a pink aura and she leviatated her crown off her head. ''Is it not clear that my crown exists for a reason, that I have an opportunity to place harmony between ponies?''
''No, because you hate all of us, and you're trying to burn Equestria down to make a home for your Flame Ponies. And that's not going to happen,'' Twilight stood up.
''Who says that's true? How are you sure that's not a rumor?'' Shredder laughed. ''As for you, Celestia, I have decided to make a deal with you. What do you say? Let's make a bet! If your pony friends can figure out how to defeat me with your Elements, I will leave Equestria. If you can't, I get Equestria and you leave Equestria. Deal?''
The two Alicorns shook hooves. ''Deal.''
Shredder Boom vanished with another glow of her horn. Celestia looked at the burn marks Shredder made on the floor when she left. The Princess then turned to the ponies.
''I'm sorry, my little ponies, I didn't realize what I was doing when I agreed to the deal. Now we have no choice but to defeat her. I need you six to wield the Elements of Harmony, before it's too late,'' Celestia said.
''Okay,'' said the six ponies.
''Good luck.''
The six ponies ran out of the Castle. But as soon as they left the property, they tripped. They tripped over a yellow leg? They looked up.
''There's no way you'll get past me,'' the pony said. That pony looked a lot like Shredder Boom, except smaller and had smaller wings and a smaller horn. Its cutie mark was fire, or course... A Flame Pony.
''Hey, we can if we want to,'' Rainbow said.
''You can't-- Oh dear, you didn't get my name yet. I'm Firefringe. You know, Flame Pony, subject of Shredder Boom, blah, blah, blah--'' Firefringe was cut off.
''Stop stalling, Firefridge. Let us go,'' Rainbow said. Firefringe grinned.
''It's Firefringe. Anyway, I will let you get past BUT along the way, you must solve this first.''
Everypony listened closely.
''To get past my path, listen closely and solve this riddle; To continue your adventure, just find your strenth and solve this case. Shredder's wrath brings no fear, but to beat her you must find your life's dear.''
''Um, that's it?'' Twilight asked.
''Yup. Don't hurry.''
''Uh... Thanks...'' Pinkie Pie said.
''Okay, that was akward,'' Applejack said as they left.
''What do you think Firefringe was saying? I mean, 'Shredder's wrath doesn't bring fear, but to defeat her, you must find your life's DEAR?' What the hay is that supposed to mean?!'' Twilight placed her hoof on her forehead. This was usually what she did when she was thinking hard.
''Don't push yourself Twi. It will all make sense if we're all in on it,'' Applejack stated.
''Well... That's true. But... Equestria destroyed? By flame? I really get stressed out when I need to figure these things out to save our homes,'' Twilight said.
Rarity put her hoof on the purple pony's back.
''Now, Twilight, we'd always take our time to help you. I'm sure it'll all make sense when we stick together for the upcoming adventure,'' the pure white unicorn said. She levitated the teacup she dropped and said, ''Why don't we take a little break? It's almost sundown, and we haven't ate since this morning.''
Twilight smiled and helped her set the picnic foods.
Once the whole dinner was set up, Applejack frowned. She said, ''I swear, it feels like we're sitting in front of Shredder Boom herself.''
''It always happens at times like this. But I feel it too, like there's a spirit of flame or something right at our hooftips,'' Twilight replied.
''It's just stress about saving Equestria,'' Rarity commented. ''I think all of us might as well have it after meeting that 'Shredder Boom' an hour ago.''
''I agree,'' Rainbow Dash said. ''But why don't we eat WHILE we discuss it, so we don't go to sleep with an empty stomach?''
''I think we should,'' said Fluttershy.
''Me too!'' Pinkie Pie said. ''You know why? Because I have CUPCAKES for dessert!''
''Why did you bring cupcakes all the way here?'' Rainbow Dash asked.
''Because they go good with the marshmallows I brought!''
''Uh, we'll discuss that AFTER dinner. But we need to focus on the task at hand first. Help yourself, everypony!'' Twilight said.
After everypony was finished, they were full. Very full, but still had room for cupcakes and marshmallows of course.
''Anypony here know how to light a fire?'' Rainbow said.
''I do!'' Twilight said. Her horn glowed in the center of a pile of twigs, and a purple fire as big as AJ's hat appeared.
The ponies cheered. Pinkie shouted, ''CUPCAKES AND MARSHMALLOWS FOR EVERYBODY!''
By the time the ponies were done with dessert, they laid down. The stars looked more prettier this night than any other night, and Twilight felt good. Today felt like the longest day of the year. I didn't tell you it was near Hearth's Warming Eve on the left side of Equestria, did I?
Twilight's eyes slowly closed, but popped open again. She didn't realize something that she had realized now. Her book about the legends of Shredder Boom said that these Flame Ponies would, every 500 years, transport to Equestria from the sun.
Didn't this mean-- WHAT?! Long ago, a small alicorn named Roserobin defeated the Flame Ponies and said that in 500 years (which was now) if they were defeated, they would regenerate into the Frost Ponies.
The Frost Ponies were pure white alicorns with frosty grey manes. They were not, in fact, as harmful as the Flame Ponies. These particular ponies have habits of nonstop good deeds. Think about it as how Nightmare Moon turned back to Princess Luna. These ''Frost Ponies'' were probably mad at something in particular and transformed into the ''Flame Ponies.''
They were also defeated by the ponies' magic. It vanished Shredder from Equestria, and she and her army were once again Frost Ponies.
Then Twilight got the riddle.
''Oh, Celestia, I've got it!'' Twilight jumped up and shouted. The other five sleeping ponies opened their eyes and groaned.
''What, Twilight?'' Rainbow Dash murmured. She didn't like it when ponies woke her up.
''Guys, I've figured out that riddle!''
Everypony jumped up.
''Well, tell us! Tell us!'' Pinkie and Applejack said at the same time.
'' 'Shredder's wrath brings no fear!' That's because she's really good inside! She's really a Frost Pony! Not a Flame Pony! And so are her subjects!'' Twilight shouted. The five looked at each other and then at Twilight.
''What's the other part supposed to mean?'' Pinkie asked.
'' 'But to beat her you must find your life's dear'! Our powers and magic hold our fate! Our dears! If we find it and put it all together, we can replace them with their true spirits, Frost Ponies!''
Everypony smiled. They talked to each other for awhile. But Fluttershy broke the chatter by asking Twilight a question the five had forgotton to ask.
''Twilight? What are Frost Ponies?''
Everypony paused.
So Twilight told them about Roserobin and the Flame Ponies' defeat 500 years ago. Their spirits, Frost Ponies, and their home, the sun. At about the middle of it all, laughter from a female voice echoed through the valley.
''What was that?'' Pinkie Pie said.
''I see you've solved Firefringe's riddle,'' said the voice. ''My name is Shadowflame.'' The pony was an alicorn that looked almost exactly like Firefringe. She had the same cutie mark. The same firey flowing mane. Shadowflame flew above the ponies.
''If you've solved her riddle, try to get this one; To continue this adventure of yours, find your way through the Logical Tour. Flame and Frost have no diff, find your way through Shredder's Cliff.'' Shadowflame said. And in a whirl and tornado of flame, she was gone.
''Huh?'' Applejack said as confused as the other ponies were.
''I think I know that last bit of it. Shredder's Cliff? That was an ancient maze that was found inside the cliff's undergrounds. I'm guessing she wants us to go through it. But-- 'Flame and Frost have no diff?' Let's think about that, shall we?'' Twilight said.
The ponies thought for a minute in absolute silence.
''I guess we have nothing so far,'' said Applejack.
''We can think about it in Shredder's maze,'' Twilight said and grinned. The ponies moaned.
As soon as they arrived there, Rainbow Dash stretched for a moment and said, ''Ugh. First a LABRINTH and now THIS?''
''Rainbow, it will all be worth it when we figure it out. Let us concentrate on this, shall we?'' Rarity said. Twilight Sparkle nodded.
''Rainbow and Fluttershy, don't try to fly here. It's too close to the ceiling and you can hit your head, alright?'' Twilight said. ''And besides, that would be cheating,'' she murmured under her breath.
The two pegasi nodded.
''And Rarity, try not to use any magic down here. It doesn't work well down here and might... You know... Mess things up a little.''
Rarity nodded.
''And that would also be cheating,'' Twilight muttered.
''Twilight, when we start... Um, where's the entrance?'' Fluttershy asked.
''Wait, huh? What do you mean, Fluttershy?'' Twilight asked her.
''I don't see any entrance,'' Fluttershy said.
''Oh,'' Twilight said.
''Maybe we needed to find the first part of the riddle first,'' Applejack noted.
''Okay.''
As soon as they exited the site, Twilight facehoofed again.
''What does that even mean, 'Flame and Frost have no diff'? They're opposites! How--'' Twilight was cut off.
''Maybe Shadowflame didn't mean it literally. Maybe it meant something like... We'll see Flame and Frost's simularity later,'' Rainbow suggested. Twilight shrugged.
''Maybe. It makes sense now, but we can't be sure right?'' Twilight replied.
''We can if we think about it more,'' Rarity said.
''I agree with Rarity,'' Fluttershy said softly.
''Well, come on, guys! Talking isn't thinking. Think about it for a minute,'' Rainbow shouted.
The ponies thought.
''Still don't have anything?'' Twilight asked the ponies.
''Nope,'' was the answer.
Twilight sighed. Nopony could defeat Shredder Boom until they found out the riddles that her subjects were giving. Then Twilight remembered something.
''Guys! I know something with a hint about this riddle. It's Everfree's Library. It's not far from here!'' Twilight shouted.
The ponies were confused.
''The Everfree?'' Applejack said. ''It's not fer a million miles from here!''
''Everfree's Library isn't IN the Everfree. I'd say it's about...'' Twilight checked her compass. ''.5 miles from here.''
''What do you-- uh-- we need there?'' Pinkie Pie asked. Twilight grinned.
''A book,'' she answered. ''About Flame and Frost's simularities. It also gives some facts about Flame Ponies and Frost Ponies.''
The Mane Six walked the .5 miles to the library. The shelves were stacked with scrolls and books. The stout books' bindings were wonderfully held in place by small ribbon.
''Well, girls, we're here.''
The Mane Six flipped through books and scrolls to find facts about Flame and Frost. Rainbow Dash found ONE simularity, at least-- But it turned out that it wasn't true.
''Shoot. I was hoping we'd find a certain book here, but...'' Twilight said.
''What was the book's name?'' Applejack asked her.
Twilight thought for a moment, then said, ''Flame and Frost's Simularities and Opposites. I have the same book at the library in Ponyville, but never read it.''
Pinkie Pie quickly scanned a random shelf.
''Flame and Frost's Simularities and Opposites ?'' Pinkie tossed an orange and white leathery book from the ''F'' section.
''YES! '' Twilight shouted happily. A librarian came up and said, ''Shhh!''
''Heh, sorry,'' Twilight apologized sheepishly. The librarian shrugged and walked away.
''What's inside it, Twi?'' Applejack asked.
''I don't know,'' Twilight replied. ''Let's see.''
With her lavender unicorn magic, she flipped the pages to an orange glowing page. The glow from it nearly blinded the ponies.
''Twilight, what-- what is that?'' Fluttershy asked, covering her eyes with her hooves.
The glowing stopped. A shape of an oval with a small rectanglish shape at the bottom with a small hole in the center appeared. A... Key.
''Guys, it's a key!'' Twilight whispered softly.
''What do you reckon we use a key for?'' asked Applejack.
''Maybe the book can give us a hint,'' Twilight guessed. She flipped the pages to page 147, and read the words out loud:
Flame and Frost are similar because of pain they might have caused long ago. A young alicorn mare named Wrigglesworth sat down and said that Flame had caused pain to the subjects on the right side of Equestria, hence Frost caused pain to the left side.
A key, called the Key of Challenge, was used to defeat an Alicorn named Shredder Boom.
''Uh, that's it?'' Rainbow asked.
''Well, there's more, but it's useless,'' Twilight answered. ''We have answers to TWO of our questions...''
''So... Frost DID cause pain, and of course, FLAME did,'' Rainbow said. ''Flame is on the right side of equestria right now. So what they're saying is that Flame is causing trouble HERE, and some FROST are on the LEFT side. It makes SENSE now.''
''Exactly, Rainbow,'' Twilight said. ''So we have the answer to the first part of the riddle. 'Flame and Frost have no diff', it means they both cause pain. And that's a HUGE thing. The RIGHT side of Equestria needs snow, it's getting near Hearth's Warming Eve. But on the LEFT side, it's summer... And it doesn't NEED snow.''
''But what about the key?'' Fluttershy asked and pointed to the golden key.
''Well... I also read that there's a keyhole somewhere in the cliffs. And it opens up to an entrance.''
''So that's where we need to go!'' Applejack said. Twilight nodded and checked the book out.
As soon as the ponies got there, they didn't see any keyholes. Even Pinkie Pie, the best finder of the six, didn't find anything at all. Rainbow Dash found another keyhole, but the key didn't fit into it.
''How are we going to even UNLOCK the entrance if there's no keyhole to it?'' Rarity asked.
Twilight flipped through Flame and Frost's Simularities and Opposites , and read something aloud from the page:
The keyhole to the Key of Challenge does not appear when you get to Shredder's Cliff, but instead appears when you can persuade a Flame Pony to open it for you. A Flame Pony will use its magic with its horn to open the entrance and let you in on one condition; If you can do what it asks you to do, it will let you through.
''So we gotta find a Flame Pony out of nowhere and get it to open the entrance for us? And then we gotta do what it says to get past?'' Applejack asked.
''I guess so,'' Twilight answered before placing the book back into her saddlebag. ''But you can't always trust books; Unless the author has actually met one.''
Rainbow looked at the cover and said, ''Roserobin B. Hurricane.'' Rainbow looked at Twilight, ''THE Roserobin?'' Twilight's eyes were as big as dinner plates.
''Oh my!... I've been reading this book but didn't bother even looking at the author's name!'' she exclaimed.
Applejack sighed.
''Does it even MATTER right now?'' AJ said. ''Problem solved! Now we gotta find a Flame Pony and--'' A figure of a small Alicorn about the size of the other Flame Ponies flew past the six.
''And--'' Applejack stammered.
''What would you need me for?'' the Flame Pony asked.
''Yeah, yeah, now you're going to tell us your name,'' Rainbow Dash yawned.
''Good idea. I'm FireFlight.''
''Unlock the entrance for us,'' Rarity said. Fireflight chuckled.
''I'm afraid I can't do that until you run a quick quest for me.''
''What sort of quest?'' Twilight raised her eyebrow.
''You've always been a curious one, Twilight Sparkle,'' Fireflight said. ''Which for that I'll tell you.''
''Please don't give us another riddle,'' Fluttershy whimpered.
''Oh, no no no,'' Fireflight giggled. ''I promised Firefringe and Shadowflame not to give you another riddle unless you've figured out the previous one. Did you yet?''
''No, er-- Well, part of it,'' Twilight explained. ''JUST GIVE US THE STUPID QUEST NOW!''
''Fine, fine,'' Fireflight said. ''Find Shredder's Crystal in the Southern part of Equestria for me, BEFORE SUNSET.''
The words seemed to echo in Twilight's head, Find Shredder's Crystal BEFORE SUNSET. BEFORE SUNSET. BEFORE SUNSET...
''And where is the Southern Part of Equestria?'' was Twilight's only reply.
''Probably 5 miles east,'' said Fireflight. ''I'm not telling anypony anything else. Good luck.''
The six ponies ran 5 miles towards east, which for every .5 miles they had to rest. Twilight eventually had to break out dinner, since they hadn't eaten all day.
''I'm so glad Fireflight didn't give us another riddle,'' Rarity said. Twilight nodded.
''I have to agree'' Twilight said, ''that it feels good that we don't have two riddles to take care of. I mean, these riddles are important. They can save Equestria!''
''Exactly,'' Rainbow Dash agreed. ''And it feels good when we figure them out.''
''Well guys-- Lets eat!'' Twilight said and gave a toast.
''Crystal'', ''Maze'', and ''Pets''
After dinner, Twilight checked her watch. 2:30 P.M. Sunset was at 6:00 P.M.
''Come on guys, let's get moving. Fireflight said to bring the crystal back by sunset, in about three and a half hours. I think we should get moving if we want to bring it to her,'' Twilight said.
As soon as dinner was packed in saddlebags, and everything was picked up and put away, the ponies started east some more. They ran until their destination came up in .2 miles.
''There it is!'' Twilight looked up at a light, golden pedestal. At the top of it, there was a small blue, yellow, and purple crystal centered and was gold-plated around the edges. Its glow reflected in Twilight's eyes. The ponies ''oohed'' and ''ahhed'' at the sight of this pretty substance.
Twilight frowned. Something seemed different. There were no guards protecting it, nor was there lava or avalanches destroying the ponies by now. It didn't seem right. Not that it NEEDED to be dangerous at all. Just... Akward.
''Well, guys-- If we're going to anywhere, we might as well just take the crystal and leave. We're not wasting all day,'' Rarity said. Twilight nodded.
''She's right,'' the purple unicorn said. ''After all, we don't have much time left.''
Twilight simply took the crystal of the pedestal and placed it carefully in her saddlebag. Rumbling started echoing through the hills.
''Uh oh,'' Twilight said. ''Maaaaaybe this was a bad idea.''
''You bet your boots!'' a male voice shouted.
''Whoa, nelly,'' Applejack said under her breath.
A white sillouhette gleamed in front of the ponies. Sparks flew everywhere. A boy Alicorn, obviously Flame Pony, appeared in the flash's place.
''Nopony-- And I mean NOPONY-- Well, maybe besides other Flame Ponies-- Takes Shredder's Crystal EVER!'' the Flame Pony's voice boomed.
''B-But, Fireflight needed it--'' Twilight stammered.
''Oh, well... Why didn't you say so?'' the Flame Pony replied. ''I'm Scortchfire. I... Wait a minute. How am I sure Fireflight sent you to retrieve it?''
''Why don't you ask her herself?'' Twilight got up the nerve to stand up for herself and the others.
''And how, pray tell, am I going to do that?''
Twilight hadn't thought about that. She thought powerful beings such as these were clever enough to think of anything right on the spot. Turns out she was wrong.
''Well?''
Twilight had to think fast. She had no choice, anyway, but to simply throw a coin at the smirking Flame Pony.
''A COIN? Really?''
''I.M. Fireflight!'' Twilight replied.
''Wait, you're Fireflight??''
''No! Instant Message her! Ask her! She'll say yes!''
''Fine. I'll let you go, but when you leave, I'm asking her!''
''Fine! Like I said, she'll say yes!
''Go! Arrivaderchi !''
The ponies headed off west to Fireflight. Scortchfire's chuckles turned into laughter.
''They don't know that they have a FAKE gem?'' Scortchfire held up a gem that looked just like the other one, but bigger.
The ponies saw a hot air balloon above them.
''HEY!'' Twilight shouted. ''MIND GIVING US A LIFT?''
The hot air balloon flew faster than the ponies could run. They got back to Fireflight in no time. They gave the gem to the Flame Pony, but she didn't look so excited.
''This... This isn't Shredder's Crystal,'' was Fireflight's reply.
''Wait, huh?!'' Twilight said.
''This isn't the crystal I wanted. It's a fake. The real one is much bigger.''
Twilight looked down.
''Where did you even get this from?'' Fireflight asked.
''Scortchfire,'' said Twilight.
''SCORTCHFIRE!'' Fireflight's voice boomed in the valleys. Twilight and her friends backed away.
''Let us get past.''
''Fine,'' said Fireflight. ''Since you tried.'' She opened the entrance.
''The maze. The... Maze,'' Fluttershy said. ''I forgot about that.''
''Exactly,'' Twilight said. ''We were concentrating so much on getting that crystal that we forgot why we were even getting it.''
''And it wasn't even the real one,'' said Rainbow Dash. ''I'm never trusting that Scortchfire again.''
Everypony agreed.
''Well, girls. Let's go,'' said Twilight. Ponies ran in different directions, their hooves made small clopping sounds on the rock grounds. Fluttershy, in fact-- Didn't clop as much as the others-- She walked slowly, to save her energy.
''Oh, hey Angel!'' Fluttershy said as her bunny crossed her path. ''Wait, Angel?''
Where DID that bunny come from? The pegasus didn't remember anypony bringing any pets along with them. Fluttershy reversed her steps and picked up the bunny. She said, ''Where did you even come from?'' and continued her maze without that much worry.
Rainbow Dash ran in the maze, trotting sounds came from her feet. A whirring sound came from behind her. Greatly puzzled, the rainbow maned pony turned around. What a relief! It was only Tank, Rainbow's pet tortoise. Waaaait a minute, Tank?
''Tank? Wha-- How did you get here?!'' was the pony's reply. The tortoise said nothing. After all, he was only an animal. Rainbow shrugged as if she were to say, ''Whatevs'' and picked up the tortoise.
''Wow, you seem lighter than I last saw you a few days ago,'' Rainbow told Tank. Rainbow continued the maze with Tank in her feathery wings.
A certain pink pony skipped around this maze. An orange pony skipped from the opposite direction. The ponies collapsed into each other.
''I'm mighty sorry, Pinkie!'' Applejack said.
''Sorry, AJ!'' Pinkie apologized. ''By the way, I found Winona out here. I believe you brought her here?''
''WHAT?! I didn't bring my dog out here!'' Applejack exclaimed. ''Strange. By the way, I found your alligator out here. What a coincidence!''
''Gummy!'' Pinkie hugged her pet. ''Thanks, AJ!''
''Glad to help!''
Rarity trotted through twists and turns slowly and ladylike like Fluttershy. A cat, white, strode down the turns. Rarity gasped.
''Opalescence! What are you doing out here?'' Rarity asked her cat.
''Why are everypony's pets doing out here?!'' Twilight yelled, almost completely out of nowhere. ''It's almost like a vision or something.''
They didn't know what was coming up for them next.
Back at Canterlot Castle...
Celestia sighed. She groaned. She hoped the Elements of Harmony were suceeding with their quest. She knew what they found out so far. The Princess then chuckled. The fact that Flame causes pain on the right side of Equestria, and Frost caused pain on the left side didn't even make sense... Then again, what fun is there in making sense?
Celestia tuffed part of her flowing mane to the side, then kindly said, ''Moon Charmer, please take a letter.'' Her assistant, a young hot pink Alicorn with a golden mane named Moon Charmer. The assistant levitated a quill out of a jar, a jar of ink out of a fancy drawer, and a blank scroll out of a shelf.
Celestia requested her to write the following words:
Dear Fernflow and Spellements of Charmery,
The Elements of Harmony are on a quest to stop the Flame Ponies I have told you about. They are on their way to defeat Shredder Boom. Unfortunately, Flame Ponies are hard to defeat. We need back-up magic. I have checked in with the Tellements of Farmery, Repellements of Armory, and the Bellements of Alarmory. None of them are available. I realized that you are the only ones left available. If you are, please meet me here in Canterlot Towers.
Your Princess,
Celestia.
''To Fernflow?'' Moon Charmer asked.
''Yes, please,'' Celestia replied while she sipped her cup of coffee. With a bright aura, purple light took the letter's place and flew out the window.
''I can't imagine why we send so many letters,'' Moon rolled her eyes.
''Well, no matter,'' Celestia said. ''This is important. Equestria is gonna be destroyed if they don't make it blah blah blah blah blah...''
While Celestia chattered away, Moon Charmer looked at Princess Luna, or Mare in the Moon, or Nightmare Moon, or Princess of the Night, or... Whatever you call her. Princess Luna sat in her royal throne and was playing Ponopoly with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or Princess Cadance as she preferred it.
''Hi, guys!'' Moon said as she trotted to the two ponies. ''You two haven't seen the Spellements of Charmery anywhere, have you?''
''I have, in fact,'' Princess Luna answered. ''At the Wonderbolts show last Saturday. Why?''
''Oh,'' Moon said. ''I, uh, heard that the Elements of Harmony are trying to defeat the Flame Ponies and-- Well, they need back-up magic and the Spellements of Charmery are the only Elements available.''
''Spellements of Charmery? Aren't those the Elements that activate with 'Spells?' Those Spells, those really tiny charms?'' Cadance asked.
''Yup, I have one myself,'' Luna said. She held up a blue and purple charm, ''Every Princess has one. I thought you had one, Cadenza.''
''Oh, well... I don't have mine yet,'' Cadance answered. ''I thought you had to be 30 to have one.''
''I thought you were 30!'' Luna replied. Cadance giggled.
''Oh, Auntie! I'm 29!''
''I knew that.''
''Guys!'' Moon broke in. ''Why, of all times, are we talking about age here? What's important is that the Elements succeed, you two stop talking of age, and Celestia stops talking!!!''
Everypony stopped talking and looked at the small Alicorn. Moon's ears drooped.
''Sorry, I--'' Moon said, almost whispering. ''I didn't mean to lose control.''
''It's fine, Moon Charmer,'' Celestia said happily. ''What matters is that the Elements of Harmony don't fail, like you said.''
Moon's horn glowed and from a window came a scroll. Celestia levitated the scroll into her hooves and read it out loud:
My dearest Princess,
The other Spellements and I are available. We will come at about... Midnight. Right now we are getting on the train and are going to ride to Canterlot Ponds. Can you meet us there at twelve?
~Fernflow
''I didn't know the train only went to Canterlot Ponds,'' said Moon.
''Every train does,'' Celestia said. ''Except the 'Canter-ville Train', which Twilight calls the 'Friendship Express.' ''
''What Canter-ville Train?'' Princess Cadance asked.
''The one with 100 cars,'' said Celestia. Luna and Moon smiled.
''Um, why is it called Canter-ville?'' Moon asked.
''It is called Canter-ville because it's a special train that can go from Ponyville to Canterlot without running out of gas or stopping and you don't need to pay as much,'' Celestia answered. ''3 bits a seat.''
''Sounds cheap,'' said Cadance. ''As in inexpensive.''
''It is a very special train,'' Celesia's smile turned into a frown. ''For a reason.''
''What reason?'' Luna, Cadance, and Moon Charmer asked.
''Well, a long time ago, the Spellements of Charmery... They...'' Celestia's tone usually meant she didn't want to talk about it but did anyway. ''The train belonged to them. They built it, hour after hour. Eventully the hours turned into days. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. After 5 months, they built a train that could not run on gas as much as other trains. The Flame Ponies stole the train. And the Spellements were not happy.''
''What did they do?'' asked Moon.
''Well, they had to travel across Equestria, searching for the thieves. Eventully they found a Flame Pony name Scortchfire who cheated them.''
''How did he cheat them?''
''Well, a Flame Pony named Fireflight asked for a crystal called Shredder's Crystal. The crystal was guarded by Scortchfire, and he let them get away with a FAKE gem.''
''I wonder if the Elements of Harmony have faced Fireflight and Scortchfire,'' Luna commented.
''Maybe,'' Celestia said. ''Maybe they'll face Flamecatcher.''
''Flamecatcher?'' Cadance said. ''I've heard of her.''
''Isn't she Shredder Boom's sister?'' Luna asked.
''Yes,'' Celestia said. ''A powerful sister, indeed.''
''Really?'' Moon asked. ''I thought she was just a regular Flame Pony.''
''Oh, no no no,'' Celestia chuckled. ''There are, uh, quite a lot of unusually powerful Flame Ponies.''
''And we need to see the Spellements of Charmery,'' said Moon Charmer. ''It's almost midnight.''
''Fire of the Flame Ponies''
''Fernflow! I'm so glad you made it!'' Celestia greeted at the Canterlot Ponds. Fernflow was a small unicorn who looked about Twilight's age. Her body was a light shade of green and she had curly, yellow and dark green hair. Her cutie mark, as you might have imagined, was a fern. Her friends, however, had the equal amount of prettiness as Fernflow.
One of her friends, Purity, was a pegasus. She had a Scootaloo-like yet pretty mane and tail, which were orange and red. Her body was pink. Her cutie mark was a simple sun with three swirls next to it.
Another friend, Flash Wave, was an earth pony. Her body was white and her cutie mark was a raindrop with 3 sparks in it. She had a mane like Twist's, but it was blue and yellow. There were only 3 Spellements of Charmery, but these particular ''spells'' EACH were 20% more powerful than the six Elements of Harmony put together.
Guess what they They seem powerful, huh? It wouldn't seem like it if you actually saw the Spellements activate. Unlike the Elements, the Spellements weren't actually a tiara and some necalices. Guess again.
Nope. Fine, I'll tell you. Like Cadance, Luna and Moon were talking about, they were small charms. To activate, they held the charms in their hooves, and Fernflow's horn glows and activates them. The charms light up and rise into the air, along with the ponies, and work like the Elements do.
''Hi, Princess!'' Fernflow said. ''I hope you've called us to help the Elements?''
''Yes, Fernflow,'' said Celestia. ''As far as I know, Twilight Sparkle sent me a letter telling me that her friends are in Shredder's Cliff Maze.''
''I see,'' Fernflow said. ''Did the letter also say something about pets?''
''I think so,'' Celestia replied. ''Strange, it seems.''
''I'll second that,'' said Purity. ''When we had to go through Shredder's Cliff, we found all of our pets there. It turns out it was some visions to fool us into thinking about how our pets were there then the actual quest.''
''I'd better warn Twilight,'' said Celestia.
''No need,'' replied Flash Wave. ''We'll tell them when we get there.''
Long pause.
''At least that's what we're doing, right?'' Flash asked.
''Of course,'' Celestia answered. ''And on that note, you should get going before it's too late.''
''Sounds fine to me,'' Fernflow replied.
''Good luck, my little ponies,'' Celestia said. ''And be careful!''
Fernflow and her friends nodded and ran to Shredder's Cliff.
Back at Shredder's Cliff...
''I hope this isn't a trick,'' said Twilight hopefully. ''I don't think it even makes sense that our pets were here when we left them at home. And who'd think they would even TRAVEL this far?''
''Hi, Twilight!'' Fernflow said as she ran into the scene. ''Is everything okay? Are these your pets?''
''Uh, yes-- I mean-- Do you have any idea where they came from?'' Twilight asked as she held up her owl, Owlicious. ''Is it a joke or something?''
''It's not real!'' Purity said. ''It's a fake vision. Shredder's trying to TRICK YOU INTO THINKING ABOUT HOW YOUR PETS GOT HERE instead of HOW TO FIND OUT THE RIDDLE, THE MAZE, AND HOW TO DEFEAT HER!''
''What she means is that Shredder Boom's trying to distract us from what's on the task at hand,'' Flash chimed in. ''She knows that all nine of us can figure something out with teamwork, and she doesn't want us to know it.''
''You're right, Flash Wave,'' said a voice in the maze. Again, blah blah blah, flashes and sparks fly everywhere, etc. etc.
''Shredder Boom,'' Fernflow said. Shredder laughed.
''Spellements of Charmery. It's been a long time since I last saw you.''
''And it's not like you're gonna win, too!'' Rainbow yelled.
''I don't know. Am I? Or am I not?''
''Don't charmspeak us, Shredder. We know you're trying to steal Equestria,'' said Fernflow.
''Who said I was charmspeaking?'' Shredder chuckled. ''And I don't see how you know if I were taking over Equestria.''
''Celestia told us,'' Purity said.
''Oh, that old mare? She thinks she's great,'' said Shredder. ''Besides, even if you do know, you won't defeat me. Not even two forms of elements put together.''
''Um, Twilight? Did we forget about the riddle? The ma--'' Rainbow whispered to Twilight.
''Forget the riddle! Forget the maze! None of these even help!'' Twilight shouted. Shredder stepped back and whistled. Five Flame Ponies flew to Shredder's side, three on the right, two on the left. They were, if you can remember a while back of these ponies, Firefringe, Shadowflame, Fireflight, Scortchfire, and Flamecatcher.
''I know I haven't seen you guys yet but I respond to that whistle--'' Flamecatcher said.
''Quiet, sister! Let's get this over with. Go ahead, guys, use your stupid elements. But, as an F.Y.I., it won't work,'' Shredder grinned.
''Alright, girls. Let's go!'' Twilight and Fernflow shouted. Their horns glowed, and out of nowhere came 3 charms, one tiara, and 5 necalices. Everypony floated in the air, their bodies glowing as well. Shredder's expression changed. If this was going to work, it was her own fault to encourage them to do it.
After a few seconds, a bright rainbow shot out of the nine's glow, aiming straight for the six Flame Ponies. The flaming little ponies screamed and, in a flash and a tornado of red and white light,
The Flame Ponies were now Frost Ponies.
Everypony, including the Frost Ponies, were lying down on the ground. Shredder Boom, who was now a large white Alicorn with beautiful pink, gray, and yellow hair, was the first to stand up.
''Co--Constellia?'' Fernflow did not believe her eyes. ''You were Shredder Boom?''
''Was I?'' 'Constellia' asked. ''I don't remember a single thing.''
Constellia looked at her assistant Frost Ponies. They were all white with gray and pink plain hair. ''Do you remember anything about today?''
''Or 500 years?'' Twilight laughed. Fernflow looked at her, as if she were saying, Would you please be quiet?
''Huh?'' Constellia asked.
''We remember,'' Fireflight said. ''It's a long story. We'll explain it when we get home, okay?''
''Okay,'' Constellia agreed. Fernflow and Twilight gave each other looks to say, Aw, isn't that cute? but didn't want them to hear it.
''We need to get home,'' said Twilight.
''As do we,'' said Fernflow.
''I'll take care of that,'' Constellia said. ''Should I take you to Canterlot?''
''Yes, please,'' they all said. Constellia's horn built up a blue-green aura, and transported to Canterlot Castle.
''Come to Ponyville someday,'' said Fernflow. ''You'll like it there.''
''I'm sure I will,'' said Constellia.
After a good 5 minutes of good-byes, Constellia transported to her home...
In Canterlot Towers.
The nine returned to their homes in Ponyville. Pinkie Pie even threw a party to celebrate their victory. They all realized one thing: One day...
A new adventure would come.
