Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 3 - Walking the Trail of Harmony

The time: The day after Nightmare Moon's redemption.

The Mare in the Moon has the princesses looking at the passage that scared her so at the end of the last chapter.  Princess Luna was rendered speechless, but Princess Celestia had a lot to say.

P.Celestia: If you are right, this is a crisis unlike any ever encountered before.  If there ARE more Elements of Harmony, we HAVE to get our hooves on them before it's too late.  We can NOT let these elements fall into evil hooves.

N.Moon: I WISH I didn't have to alert you of this, Princess.....

Nightmare Moon lowers her head as Princess Celestia looks at her.  The sun goddess trots to Nightmare Moon and lifts her head back up.

P.Celestia: *reassuring smile* Sentinel of the Stars, remember?  You may not WANT to, but you did the right thing.  I understand you're worried, we are, too. *P.Luna nods*  And we'll do all we can to stop this, OK?

N.Moon: *slowly smiles* Right.

Meanwhile, ponies laugh and cheer as Twilight Sparkle faces Rainbow Dash in a dancing game similar to "Dance Dance Revolution".  Spike cheers on Twilight near the two mares, then begins choking.  Virtuna notices and heads to him, concerned, before shrieking as a jet of flame erupts over her head, a scroll appearing.  Twilight Sparkle stops dancing to read the note, the rest of the Mane 6 looking on.

T.Sparkle: *reads* ......!  It's from Nightmare Moon!  She wants us to meet with her and the princesses ASAP!

Virtuna nods, setting up the game to record a draw in the dance-off, then she follows the Mane 6 to Canterlot.

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

In Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the Mane 6 got the news from Nightmare Moon and the two princesses.

T.Sparkle: Hang-on, MORE.. Elements.. of-Harmony?

R.Dash: How MANY more?

N.Moon: I couldn't tell from where I was in the ruins.

P.Luna: There are mention of just six in the Canterlotian texts, and they are the six you all possess.  If nothing has been written about any others, then there can be only two reasons why: Either those elements and their legend have been lost to the advance of time..... or those wielders were.

Everypony knew what the moon goddess meant by that.

Virtuna: OK, so, where are they?

P.Celestia: If the whereabouts of the original Elements of Harmony are any indication, they'd be in the Ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters.

Fluttershy: W-we know the way there.

Applejack: We'll find 'em.

N.Moon: I have a feeling you'll need some help..... I'll-go-with-you.

P.Luna: Luck be with you all.

T.Sparkle: Thanks, Princess.

The Mane 6, Virtuna and Nightmare Moon head off to the Everfree Forest.  As they journeyed along the path to the ruins, Nightmare Moon shudders a bit.

Virtuna: What is it, Nightmare Moon?

N.Moon: I remember.....

T.Sparkle: It was when she tried stopping us from getting OUR Elements of Harmony when we journeyed to stop her.  She made it hard for us, but each of my friends showed their spirit and we eventually made it through.

Virtuna: WAY before ya met me, right?

R.Dash: Indeed, Virtuna.

Virtuna: *smiles at Nightmare Moon* No one's mad at you for that, your trial made everything better.

Nightmare Moon smiles, then the ponies arrive at the cliff that broke away.  Applejack nodded, remembering this place.

Applejack: This is where I showed my spirit, Nightmare Moon, the spirit of Honesty.

T.Sparkle: That's right.  I was sliding off the side of this cliff when Applejack told me to let go and I'd be OK.  I let go and sure enough, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy caught me.

Nightmare Moon nodded, then.....

Applejack: !!! *The cliff gave out from under her!* AH!

N.Moon: I'm coming!

Nightmare Moon turns into her purple-cloud-form and zips under the flailing earth pony, turning back to her alicorn form with wings fully spread and catching her on her back!

Rest of Mane 6 and Virtuna: APPLEJACK!

The ponies smiled as Nightmare Moon flies back up with Applejack on her back.

Applejack: Phew.....

Nightmare Moon lands and kneels down far from the cliffside, letting Applejack jump off.

Applejack: Man, that..... I owe ya one, Moon.

N.Moon: Aw.  Thanks, AJ.

Applejack chuckles, then the two brohoof.

Fluttershy: That cliff's still a bit unstable.....

Zecora (running into the clearing): STOP!  Ponies, I must warn!  That cliff has been unstable since the storm!

The zebra gasps as she sees Nightmare Moon, the alicorn slowly standing up.

N.Moon: So..... *smiles* You're the one who tells those delightful ghost stories on Nightmare Night!  You are an amazing storyteller!

Zecora: Not to sound overly wary, but I thought *points to N.Moon* she was big and scary.

Twilight Sparkle explains what Virtuna did for her, the little filly smiling.

Zecora: Wow! *looks at Virtuna* You are new, who are you?

Virtuna: My name's Virtuna, Ma'am.  YOU must be Zecora.

Zecora: *laugh* Indeed I am, and this is my home.  But why have you chosen this place to roam?

N.Moon: Are you familiar with the Elements of Harmony?

Zecora: I've heard those legends, it is true, but what do they have to do with you?

T.Sparkle: Nightmare Moon says there are more Elements of Harmony hidden at the ruins.

An alarmed Zecora gasps, dashing into her house and emerging with a black book with gold bindings.

Zecora: This is my greatest fear, the legend of the beast is written here.

N.Moon: *nod* I know.....

Rarity: The Princess doesn't have that book in the library.

Zecora nods, putting the book in one of her herb pouches.

Zecora: Let me lend a hand, or hoof, in saving this land.

R.Dash: I think we could use all the help we can get.

The group continued on until they met a manticore!

N.Moon: GAH!  What-the?!

Fluttershy: Oh, calm down, Nightmare Moon.

The manticore scoops up Fluttershy..... and licks her cheek!

N.Moon: You know this manticore?

Fluttershy: Oh, yes.  When I helped this manticore, I showed MY spirit, Kindness.

N.Moon: Wow!

The manticore swipes Nightmare Moon to it with its tail, giving her a hug, making the alicorn laugh out loud.

Virtuna: Aw-CUTE!

N.Moon: *blush* Aw!

The manticore purrs, nuzzling both Nightmare Moon and Fluttershy before showing them the way further along the trail.  Some time later, the ponies come across the trees Nightmare Moon enchanted.  Pinkie Pie giggles as she remembers them.

P.Pie: Laughing at these trees is how I got my spirit, Laughter.

N.Moon: *chuckle* I see you in town making everypony happy, Pinkie Pie.  Trust me, it works.

R.Dash: *laugh*  You have no idea how well, Nightmare Moon.

P.Pie: Oh, yeah.  I LOVE spreading laughter!

Virtuna: *giggle* You ponies sound like you're pretty special.

N.Moon: Oh, they are.  These ponies are the heroes of Equestria.

The Mane 6 blush.

Virtuna: WOW!  No wonder you all travel like a family of ducks!

That got everypony laughing their heads off, even Zecora.  Some time later, the ponies arrive at the stream where they found the serpent.

Rarity: *smiles* THIS is where I found MY spirit, Generosity.  We came across this serpent who had half his mustache cut off.

N.Moon: *slight nod* Y-yeah, and I just hope he's as quick to accept my apology as you girls are.

Just then, Nightmare Moon gets doused with a huge wave from the stream.  The Mare in the Moon gasps as the water almost knocks her off her hooves!  And the reason why is a long purple serpent with a half-orange, half-purple mustache.  Virtuna noticed a striking resemblance between the purple part of the serpent's mustache and Rarity's tail.

Serpent: *roars as he surfaces* Rarity! How ARE you?

Rarity: Aw, I'm fine. How are YOU?

Serpent: Just FABULOUS!  And I thank you SO MUCH for helping me!

Virtuna: *blink*  I WONDERED why it looked like your tail's on him!

T.Sparkle: *laugh*  Yeah!

A quick round of introductions follows, the serpent locking on Nightmare Moon.

Serpent: I see you've turned a new leaf over, miss.

N.Moon: *nod* Indeed.  We're looking for the new Elements of Harmony I sensed in the ruins.

Serpent: Sounds major.

Virtuna: You have no idea.

The serpent nods, then helps all the ponies cross the stream, even Nightmare Moon.  A while later, they come across a chasm spanned by a suspension footbridge - or hoofbridge.  Rainbow Dash flew over the bridge, smiling proudly.

R.Dash: And HERE is where I showed MY spirit, Nightmare Moon, the spirit of Loyalty.  By choosing to bridge this gap instead of going with the Shadowbolts, I showed that my friendships are more important to me than even my dreams.

T.Sparkle: In fact, her friendships are the ONLY thing more important than her dreams.

Nightmare Moon laughs.

N.Moon: Boy, you girls really bonded well with each other.  The fact that you beat me the last time we all were here proves it.

The Mane 6 smile at their former foe.  Once inside the castle, Nightmare Moon looks around, then she spots the holder where the original Elements of Harmony were.

N.Moon: So, you found them here..... *looks to a room at the top of a spiral staircase* .....and you kicked my flank up there.

Virtuna: Where did YOU live?

N.Moon: Over *points to a side room that only had a rope connecting it to the rest of the ruins* there.

As the other ponies and Zecora look for a hidden passage, Virtuna - to Zecora's shock - begins tightrope-walking to the hidden room!

Zecora: NO!  Pony with legs of three, back up and return to me!

N.Moon: Virtuna!

The Mare in the Moon turns into her purple cloud form, making a bridge under the rope.  However, Virtuna seems to be in total control as the two pegasi fly flanking her.  When she spots where the rope is tied off, she sees it's under a window.  With a smile, Virtuna hops off and into the tower, Rainbow Dash smiling as the others sigh in relief.

N.Moon: Single file.

The other ponies and Zecora slowly cross the bridge Nightmare Moon magically made, single file and one at a time.  Applejack, then Rarity, then Twilight Sparkle, then Pinkie Pie, then finally Zecora cross the gap and hop into the window, descending the stairs.  When all have entered, Nightmare Moon wafts through the window and down the stairs to the bottom, reappearing as an alicorn with a number of bruises, but smiling.

R.Dash: Hey, not bad.

The two brohoof, Nightmare Moon wincing a bit, then the ponies look at an antechamber similar to the one in Canterlot with the original elements in it.  Without even thinking, Nightmare Moon used her horn to unlock it.  Inside was a similar stand to the one at the entrance, but this had seven rocks on it - and they were all black!

T.Sparkle: *GASP!* NO!  We're too late!

N.Moon: No, Twilight.  We're not too late.....  These Elements of Harmony are dormant.

Fluttershy: Dor-dormant?

Virtuna: Ya mean shut off?

N.Moon: *nod* Inactive, shut off, whatever.  The reason why can be one of three: 1, You haven't met these ponies yet.  2, You HAVE met these ponies, but they didn't show their spirit.  3, You HAVE met these ponies and they DID show their spirit, but they don't have their cutie mark yet.

Virtuna blinks, then checks her flank.

Virtuna: Hmm.

N.Moon: If you ARE an Element of Harmony, Virtuna, you'll get it when you get your cutie mark.

Virtuna nods, smiling as Twilight Sparkle sighs.

T.Sparkle: If ACTIVE Elements of Harmony are a target, then INACTIVE Elements.....

N.Moon: Say.. no. more.  We HAVE to get these to Canterlot.

Twilight Sparkle nods at Nightmare Moon, then Nightmare Moon shimmers silver, teleporting herself, the Mane 6, Virtuna, Zecora and the inactive elements right into Princess Celestia's throne room.  All ponies as well as Zecora bow at the two goddesses.

P.Celestia: *rises* Well?

N.Moon: I have good news... and bad news.

P.Luna: Go on.

T.Sparkle: The good news is we found the new Elements of Harmony.

P.Celestia: And the BAD news?

Virtuna: They're switched off.

P.Luna: Switched off, child?

R.Dash: Yeah, they're..... *looks at N.Moon*   What-was-the-word?

N.Moon: Dormant.

P.Celestia: Then it means whatever it is is a long while from happening.

Zecora: In my house, I found this book; *She takes the black-with-gold-bindings book from her herb pouch and Twilight Sparkle floats it to the princesses* I think it is worth a look.

Princess Celestia uses her magic to open the book, turning to a page about halfway through it.

P.Celestia: I found the new elements.  They are Empathy, Sincerity, Humility, Tolerance, Respect, Love and Surprise.

P.Pie: Surprise?  Seems odd for an Element of Harmony.

P.Luna: This is a 10,000-year-old legend, Pinkie Pie.

P.Celestia: *bow* I thank you, Zecora, for bringing this book to us.

Zecora: *bow* Kind Princess, I thank you, I only wish to do what I can do.

P.Luna: *chuckle* You're well on your way, Zecora.

With a final bow, the ponies and Zecora head out, Nightmare Moon staying with the princesses and Zecora heading back to her home - but not before doing one thing.....

Spike: Ready?

Zecora: *clears throat* Dear Princess Celestia.

Though I am of different race,

my heart is true and in the right place.

I've seen Nightmare Moon's true self,

and put my old feelings for her on the shelf.

She may be scary, she may be rough,

but her heart is pure, her spirit tough.

So her book of evil I close tonight,

and a new chapter, we all shall write.

Yours truly,

Zecora

Spike: *sniff* No rhyme that time, Zecora?

Zecora: Little friend, you know my game, but what in Equestria rhymes with my name?

Both laugh as Zecora heads home, Spike sending the note to Princess Celestia.  When she reads it, a proud smile and a tear of happiness appear on her face as she watches Nightmare Moon carry on her night-time duty of absorbing nightmares.

TO BE CONTINUED.....