The Element of Love

Chapters

The Gathering
The "Party"
The Run
The Salvation
The Trials
The Battle
The New Beginning
The Night of Judgement

The Gathering

Twilight Sparkle relaxed with her elbows on the window ledge of her treehouse. The sun warmed up her face as she listened to the noises of the town with closed eyes. She was listening to the songs of birds, which was occasionally disturbed by the laugh of fillies coming with the wind. The school was on summer holiday, which mean that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had more free time. Twilight only hoped that their new plans of acquiring their cutie marks didn't include pyromancy.

She glanced up at the sun and sighed. “Break is over." She trotted back to her books and continued to levitate them to their place. Spike took a day off to finish some important business in Canterlot, he had said he would be back as soon as possible and had left with the first train in the morning. Well, everyone needs a day off sometimes. I still wonder what was that important business, Twilight thought as she was putting the books in order.

During the cleanup, she found many books she had read before. “Hm... this goes, here I guess... and that goes, hm... Supernaturals...” Twilight chuckled as she remembered how she hadn't believed that a book with such a title could help.

After putting it under S, she glanced at another book, this time with a red cover, decorated with a golden unicorn head. “The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide." Twilight sighed. "It was only a year ago, but it feels like I've lived an entire lifetime in those months,” she said as she was moving the book… under E. She smiled as she remembered how easy it had been for Pinkie Pie to find that title. Then she furrowed her eyebrows and stopped the book, now floating in the air.

“If I remember correctly, I didn’t read the whole book. Silly me," she said with a chuckle. "I was too busy moving to Ponyville and having fun with my friends. Better late than never, I guess." She levitated the book back to the front of her eyes and opened it at the table of contents.

“Let’s see: Purpose, The Definition of the Elements, Last Know Location, Purity of the Bearers. Hmm... Purity of the Bearers?”

Twilight turned around with the book floating in front of her and used her magic to turn the pages. The smile on her face slowly curved down as she kept reading the chapter. “...and the bearers can only be saved by the Element of Love?!“ Twilight released the telekinetic hold of the book, making it fall to the ground with a thud.

“I must inform the girls, now. Spike!” Twilight called, but she quickly remembered the absence of her dragon assistant. She groaned. “Never mind, I’ll just teleport them together.”

Satisfied with her solution, she began executing the spell. As she narrowed her eyes, her horn shimmered purple while she concentrated on the image of Sweet Apple Acres in her mind. She then released the magic collected in her horn, making her vanish.

“Are ya comin', Apple Bloom?” asked Applejack from the doorstep of their house. “Lunch is ready!”

Apple Bloom put down the sticks she was playing with. “I am!” she called as she galloped towards Applejack.

A flash of light appeared behind Apple Bloom, revealing Twilight Sparkle, bowing her head with clenched eyes.

“Oh heya, Twilight! Why the rush?” asked Applejack with a raised eyebrow.

Twilight, after shaking of the daze from the teleport, answered, “No time to explain. You have to come with me right now.” She started walking towards Applejack with her horn shimmering.

“Wha? Uhm... Apple Bloom!” she turned to her little sister. “Ah’ll be late for lunch today. Tell that to Granny and Mac.”

“Okay!” Apple Bloom answered with a smile. “See ya later!”

“See ya later!”

Twilight reached Applejack, and after a flash, both of them were in library.

Applejack opened her eyes first. She looked around nervously and asked Twilight, “Okay, now Twilight, what was so important?”

Twilight, standing next to her, had already began casting another teleport spell. Okay, now Fluttershy’s cottage. She thought and vanished, leaving Applejack unanswered.

“Twilight? Hmph...”

Fluttershy, who had just finished teaching a group of jays to sing, was trotting back to her cottage. It’s time to feed my little animal friends. Mr. Mousey must be hungry by now, she thought, then squeaked when a big flash appeared just in front of her, revealing Twilight Sparkle.

“Twi... Twilight...” Fluttershy panted. “You scared me so much!”

Twilight looked up. “I’m sorry Fluttershy. I didn’t mean to scare you, but I must gather all of us to the library.” Her horn glowed.

“But... but Mr. Mo—”

When Twilight and Fluttershy appeared in the library, Applejack tried to ask Twilight again, “Now can ya tell me what the hay is—” but before she could finish, Twilight had already teleported away.

Fluttershy, realizing her new location, looked around and noticed Applejack. “Oh. Hello Applejack. Uhm... do you know why did Twilight move me here? I was about to feed the critters at my cottage.”

“Well Ah know nothin’ about why Twilight put us here, Ah reckon’d ya might know it better.”

“Well, she said that she needed all of us gathered here in the library,” Fluttershy replied.

“All of us? Hmm...” Applejack grimaced. “Then Ah reckon it’s better to ask when we’re all here.”

“I think you are right,” replied Fluttershy with a nod.

Pinkie Pie was serving a long line of customers in the Sugarcube Corner. It was lunchtime, and nopony wanted to miss Pinkie's freshly baked cupcakes.

"Thanks, Pinkie," said the blue stallion standing in front. He grabbed the bag of cupcakes in his mouth and walked away from the counter.

"Anytime, Noteworthy. Next!"

Ponies stepped forward, creating a gap in the line. A white-maned yellow pony, who was the fourth in the line, tried to step forward, but was forced to jerk her head away by a sudden purple light. When she turned to look, she saw Twilight standing in front of her.

“Hey, Twilight! That’s not fair! The end of the line is outside of the building!”

Twilight realized her current position and apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn't mean to cut the queue.” She stepped out of it.

The white-yellow pony closed her eyes and raised her head. “Apology accepted.”

Pinkie Pie noticed her friend. “Oh, hey Twilight! It’s so good to see you here! Do you wanna taste my cupcakes? I just made them. I got a purple one also, just for you.“ She stood on her hind hooves, holding the pastry in her front hoof.

Twilight shook her head and trotted towards Pinkie Pie. “Sorry, Pinkie, but no time for cupcakes. You must come with me.” Her horn glowed.

“Oh, okie-dokie!” said Pinkie and then turned to the others in the shop. “Sorry everypony, the shop is closed. See you later!” Pinkie waved with her other hoof until she and Twilight disappeared in a glint.

“What? Then... Oh, great.” The white-yellow pony hung her head.

Pinkie Pie got caught off balance at the arrival. “Aaaah!” She fell over, but still managed to catch the purple cupcake. “Gotcha!” She grinned.

“Hi Pinkie,” Fluttershy said. “Nice to see you.”

Twilight already vanished.

Pinkie stood up. “Hello, everypony!” She glanced at the former position of Twilight. “Is she going for Rarity now?”

“Why do ya think so?” Applejack asked.

“Well, you were here first right?”

“Yup.“

"Then Fluttershy?"

"Yes," Fluttershy said.

“Then the next one is me, then Rarity, just how that book said. Oh,”—Pinkie Pie began to bounce—“is it gonna be a party? Maybe an Elements of Harmony party? Why didn't Twilight tell me before? I'd have brought my party cannon!”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Which book are ya talking about?"

"The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide!" Pinkie answered, beaming.

“Well, I think Pinkie is right,”—Fluttershy shuffled with a hoof—“but Twilight didn't say anything about a party. She only said we must be gathered in the library.“

“Of course, you silly! How could a pony make an Elements of Harmony party without all of the Elements? It’s like making a wedding party without a wife, or making a pet party without pets, or...” Pinkie continued creating examples, much to Applejack’s annoyance.

Rarity locked the main door of Carousel Boutique. It’s time to take a little break. A wonderful day such as this shall not be wasted indoors, she thought and put a 'Closed' sign on the door, then she began her walk towards the bridge.

Twilight appeared behind her, facing the door of the boutique. Hm... closed. She knocked on the door and called, “Rarity, are you in there?”

Rarity, still being in earshot, turned around. “Ah, hello Twilight! Do you need something?”

Twilight teleported next to Rarity, and began casting a long-range group-teleport spell.

Rarity's eyes widened. “What’s wrong, darling?”

“Just a minute, and I will explain everything,“ Twilight quickly replied, and then they were gone.

“You see? You see? I was right! I was right!" Pinkie Pie cried and bounced as Rarity appeared next to Twilight Sparkle.

“Okay,” Twilight said. “Now to Rainbow Dash.”

“Stop, you silly filly! You can't walk on clouds!” Pinkie said, but Twilight was already casting the teleport spell.

“Wha—” Twilight's eyes went wide, and she vanished.

“Twilight!”

Twilight appeared over Dash’s house. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Twilight shrieked as fell. “Oh, please, please, please work now WORK,” she shouted, trying to cast a walk-on-cloud spell, but couldn’t finish it before she reached Rainbow’s house. Twilight fell through the clouds. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” She flailed with all her hooves.

Then she was struck by a rainbow. “Stop moving! You're heavy already.“

Twilight, now hovering on the air, sighed and glanced up. Rainbow Dash smiled at her. “You freaked me out with your scream.” She was rapidly flapping with her wings. “But I came in time.“

“Yes, you did. Thank you.”

“Now what was soooo important, that made you teleport yourself three hundred feet up in the air?” Rainbow Dash asked, tilting her left eyebrow.

“I'll explain everything in a second, just let me teleport us to the library. The rest of the girls are already there."

“In flight? Uhm, okay, whatever you want. I don't mind if I don't have to carry you to the ground. Have you just had a big lunch or something?“

"Very funny, Rainbow." Twilight charged up her spell and executed it.

The "Party"

Thanks her practice of flying in gales, Rainbow Dash managed to stay in the air when she and Twilight appeared in the library. She put Twilight on the wooden floor.

Fluttershy sighed in relief. “It’s so good to see you unharmed, Twilight.”

“What were you even thinking, Twilight?" Rarity said. "Teleporting is already dangerous on its own."

Twilight blushed and scratched her neck.

“Okay Twilight. Now it’s time for ya to give us a huge explanation. Why did Ah have to leave my family lunch?” asked Applejack, scowling.

Twilight trotted back to the fallen red book and lifted it up with telekinesis.

“Oh... oh!” Pinkie Pie bounced. “The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide. I love that book! Actually, I've never read it. But I still love it. I don't know why, but it’s great!”

“It must be because you was the one who found it when we stopped Nightmare Moon,” Rarity helped.

“Exactly! Now I remember why I love that book. Thanks, Rarity!”

“So Twilight, what did you find? You've read that book before,” Rainbow Dash said with her front hooves crossed, floating in mid-air.

“Actually, the reason I brought you all here is because I haven't read the whole book.” Twilight flipped a few pages. “I missed a chapter. It's called 'The Purity of the Bearers'."

Rainbow Dash hummed and got ready for another boring lesson.

“The book says: only the true spirits of Harmony are allowed to use the Elements of Harmony without punishment. If the bearers are proven to be unworthy, then they must face the consequences. The souls of the false bearers become the property of the Element of Darkness, and they can only be saved by the Element of Love.”

Fluttershy and Rarity were blinking, Applejack frowned, and Pinkie was just grinning as always. Rainbow Dash watched her friends' reactions, then spread her hooves, “So then what? I was always loyal to my friends.”

“Are you sure, Rainbow Dash?“ Twilight asked.

“Yeah, who could be the Spirit of Loyalty other than me?” replied Dash, puffing her chest with a hoof.

“Uhm, Dash... Never mind,” Fluttershy spoke.

“What did you say Fluttershy?” asked Twilight, turning towards her.

“I just wanted to mention that it was last year when we've defeated Nightmare Moon. If we weren't the true spirits, we'd have been already punished.“

“And that was so important to make me leave mah lunch?” Applejack complained.

“And my afternoon walk!”

“And feeding my critters.”

“Stop, everypony!” Twilight cried out, then lowered her voice, “The book says nothing about the time of the punishment. It still can be in the future. And I’m not sure that we are pure bearers.”

“Oh really? Prove it!” Rainbow Dash put her hooves on her hips.

“Well,” started Twilight, “as far as I remember, the maze in Canterlot collapsed because you abandoned us, when we were searching for the Elements—“

“That doesn't count!” interrupted Dash. “I was controlled by Discord’s magic.”

“Uhm, Dash. “ Everypony turned to Fluttershy, who was hanging her head. “Sorry to mention this, as it was a long time ago, but when you got your cutie mark, you pushed me off the clouds at the start of the race and didn’t even come to check me if I was alright.“

“Ehm...” Rainbow Dash looked away in shame.

“But it’s okay,“ continued Fluttershy with a smile, her eyes closed. “It made me get my cutie mark too. Still,“—she opened her eyes, filled with worry—“I don’t know if it doesn’t count against your... purity.“

“Then let’s say it does,” said Rainbow. “Who's this Element of Love anyways? And the other, the Element of... whatever”

“Darkness,” helped Rarity.

“Yeah, whatever. So who are they?”

Twilight looked back to the guide, and turned a page.

“There is a part here saying, ‘What these two other Elements are is not known, but there are multiple theories in the subject. The most supported theory is that they are some kind of a magical force, but a small group of researchers claims that they were both unicorns who lived before the Era of the Alicorn Sisters. There are some witnesses claiming that they have met with the Element of Love; however, no generally accepted scientific evidence was provided of their encounter so far.‘“

After a few seconds, Rarity broke the silence with a question, “Darling, are you sure this book is reliable?”

They all stared at her. “Why do you think it's not reliable?” asked Twilight.

“The book said that when the Elements are together, they can be used to release their magical force, but they were together when we tried to face Discord, but with Spike wielding the Element of Loyalty, we still failed.“

“What? You used the Elements without me, with... Spike?“ Dash cried, her look turning into a scowl.

“Yes, but...”

“Where is he? Spike! Spike! Come here! I'm gonna punch your face so hard!” Dash shouted, flying around in the library, looking for Spike.

“Calm down, Dash!” Twilight said. “He didn't want to do it. I forced him, because you were under Discord’s spell!” Then added with a lower voice, “And by the way, he’s got a day off.”

Dash stopped her futile search. “Lucky him.”

“Spike said something like that“—said Pinkie Pie with a chuckle, pointing at Dash—“when he tried to refuse Twilight.”

“Ahh, whatever,” said Dash, now calmed down. “I think he doesn't deserve that beating after all.”

“Hot-headed as always, aren’t ya Rainbow?” said Applejack with a smirk.

“But still,“ tried Rarity again, “what do you think about what I said?“

Twilight frowned. “Hm... I think this book didn’t say anything about the usage of the Elements. I read that in a history book of Equestria.“

Applejack raised a hoof. “Didn’t Princess Celestia say that they used the Elements on Discord with Princess Luna?”

Pinkie added, “Princess Luna and Princess Celestia as the bearers of the six Elements. That means three for each of them.“

Fluttershy nodded. “Even if I believe that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are very kind, and generous, I don’t think they managed to stay pure for thousands of years. For example, if Luna was the bearer of Loyalty, or Kindness, or any other, then she definitely lost her purity a thousand years ago. "I'm sorry to say, Twilight, but think your books can be... wrong.“

Twilight glanced at them. Their questions are right; I still have a lot more work to do.

Rainbow Dash sighed and rolled her eyes. “So is there anything else, or can we leave now?”

“Uhm...” mumbled Twilight, her face reddening from shame.

“Okay everypony, I’m outta here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, and a blink later the others could only see a rainbow trail going out of the window.

"Bye, Dashie!" Pinkie shouted after her with a wave.

“Rainbow is right. We can do nothin’ more here,” Applejack agreed, trotting out.

"Bye, Applejack!"

“I’m sorry to say darling, but I think you have overreacted the situation. I do not blame you though. If you think, you can hop in for tea later in the afternoon,“ Rarity offered.

“Thanks Rarity, but I think I will look into the topic more deeply."

“As it feels good for you," Rarity said with a smile. "However, I have to leave you now. My afternoon shift has almost started, and I do not want any of my customers to wait. See you later, darling!“ Rarity left the library, waving back to Pinkie as Pinkie said her goodbyes.

“It’s okay, Twilight,” Fluttershy tried, “We all make mistakes. I believe that you will find everything you need, and if you still think that it’s an emergency, then...” She looked down with one of her front hooves caressing the other. “You can teleport me here again."

“Fluttershy, I really thought this was an emergency, and I still think it is.“

“I believe in you, Twilight. You always know how to solve the problems.” She smiled.

“Thank you, Fluttershy.” Twilight smiled back.

Fluttershy jerked her head up and raised her ears. “I have to go; my critters must be really hungry now.”

“See you later then,“ Twilight said.

“See you later, Twilight and good luck.” Fluttershy opened her wings.

"Bye, Fluttershy!"

"Good bye, Pinkie." Fluttershy smiled at Pinkie Pie, then flew through the window.

Twilight’s stomach growled. “Oh, this talk about eating made me hungry too.”

“You still have your cupcake,” Pinkie said, holding a purple cupcake on her front hoof, offering it to Twilight.

“Thanks, Pinkie.” Twilight accepted the cake.

Pinkie put her hoof back on the ground and stood, grinning.

Twilight asked, “Why are you staying, Pinkie Pie? Don't you want to go back to the shop?”

“Oh, I wanted to ask you if you could teleport me back? It was so fun!”

“Oh.“ Twilight shrugged. “Well, why not?“

Her horn shimmered as she pictured Sugarcube Corner in her mind with Pinkie Pie standing next to her. When she released the magic in her horn, they both vanished.

The shop was empty. A white-maned yellow mare was walking out of the shop, mumbling to herself, “Why can't I have my dessert without any complications?”

Her eyes widened when she heard the sound of a teleport. She turned.

“See you later, Pinkie,” said Twilight, and immediately teleported away.

“Bye!” Pinkie said, and then looked around.

“Oh, Pinkie Pie! I waited so long... I would like to order—”

“Sorry, but the shop is closed. It’s lunch break time,“ Pinkie said. She pushed her out of the shop.

“Sorrrrrrryyyy” Pinkie said, smiling, and shut the door on her face.

She hung her head down. "Why did I even ho—"

Suddenly, the door opened again. Pinkie stood on the doorway, now holding a yellow cupcake. She pulled her hoof up and put the cupcake on it with a smile, then shut the door.

She stared at the cake. "Just another day in Ponyville," she said with a shrug, then closed her eyes and devoured the cake in one bite. She walked away smiling, chewing the cake in her mouth.

The Run

Rainbow Dash couldn’t sleep well that night. Her mind was filled with one face... the face of Fluttershy, screaming and flailing as she fell to her death. How could I just leave her? How could I forget about Fluttershy?

The wind blew into her cloud room, and a whisper hit Dash’s ear, “Don’t worry, Rainbow Dash. We will end your pain.”

“What?” She sat up in her bed, “Who's there?”

A menacing laugh was the answer. She looked at the direction of the laugh, and gasped as two mist-creatures began their emergence from the mist that was flowing into Dash's room.

The pegasus jumped on her hooves, reared back, and flared her wings.

The two minions of Darkness materialized into form. Coldness ran through Dash's spine at the sight of the dark creatures, but she narrowed her eyes and asked, “Who are you? What are you doing here in my room?”

“Rainbow Dash, the false Spirit of Loyalty. We found you guilty in using the Element of Loyalty without being worthy.“

Dash raised one of her eyebrows. “False Spirit? I’m the one and only true Spirit of Loyalty!”

“Then why are you haunted by your past?” asked the minion.

“I...”

“How many times did you send your friends away when you were reading Daring Do? You called the bearer of Magic an egghead, but you were too proud to admit that you loved reading. You instead alienated yourself from your friends.“

Dash bowed her head. She let her wings down as her pride vanished.

“When you became the hero of Ponyville, all you cared about is your fame and glory. You left your friends, and the only reason you didn’t lose them is because they created Mare Do Well.”

It's true...

“And about the bearer of Kindness,”—it snorted—“do I even have to say anything?"

Fluttershy's scream reappeared in her head. Dash clenched her eyes, bowed her head on her bed, and put her front hooves on her ears.

“Make it stop! Make it STOP!”

“Don’t worry, poor Rainbow Dash. We will end your pain, as we ended your friends’ as well.“ it laughed at the last part.

Dash jerked her head up. “What? What did you do with my friends?”

“You will see soon enough,” replied the shadow, and started walking towards Dash.

Dash narrowed her eyes, and went back into charge position.

“Stop where you are!” yelled Dash.

The Salvation

Rainbow Dash gasped when the dark shadows got through the barrier and began walking towards her. She tried to take off and fly away, but she couldn’t; her wings were no longer obeying her will. The dark pegasi were radiating out an aura that paralyzed pegasus wings.

“Why... come on... MOVE!” shouted Dash as she tried to flap her wings. I can’t end here. My friends! If I lose here, we all lose. They need me, but I can't save them. The shadows were closing in. I can't even save myself. Bowing her head, she fell on her haunches. She closed her pink eyes, and tears flowed from them.

“Element of Love... if... if you really exist, and you can save me, then... please, save me,” she whispered.

A great light flared in the middle of the room, and something appeared in the middle of it. The shadow pegasi stopped and gawked with their widening red eyes at the thing in the middle of the light that looked at them. The minions shrieked and tried to run out of the room when a white flash and a huge blast shook the room. A ring of light came out of the bright one that threw the minions out of the room and disabled the force field in the doorway.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t say a word. When she first glanced at the bright thing, she collapsed on the ground, and could only hear the shriek of the dark ones and the blast. After dealing with the minions, the bright one turned to her. “Rainbow Dash, the Spirit of Loyalty, stand up.” Its voice was echoing, like a great waterfall, but Dash could feel kindness and love as it spoke. Dash felt as the bright one’s power flowed inside her, making her stand. Dash looked upon her savior. It... or he, was a stallion alicorn, bigger than Princess Celestia. Both his coat and his mane were pure white, glowing. His eyes blazed like the sun. She tried to examine him further, but couldn’t stand the sight and bowed with her eyes clenched together. She didn't understand why, but when she looked at the alicorn, her thoughts went back to Fluttershy. Spirit of Loyalty... do I even deserve that name?

“Why do you think you're not worthy for that name?” the alicorn spoke.

Dash, still holding her eyes closed, replied, “Because I'm not loyal to even my friends. I wasn’t loyal to them and not just once, but many times. My... my pride... my desire for glory... they told me to think only about myself, and I obeyed them.”

The alicorn replied, “Yes, you did. I saw all of them, I saw your treasons. Treasons against your friends, treasons against your element, treasons against Love.” His voice became firm, “Therefore I, the judge of the bearers, declare that you have failed to be the pure Spirit of Loyalty.”

Rainbow’s heart sank. Treason... I am a traitor.

“You failed,” continued the alicorn. “It was not because you didn’t want to be good. You wanted, but you couldn’t.” He stopped for a moment. “You couldn’t because you tried with your own power. You became the bearer of Loyalty but you still stayed to be a pony, filled with pride and desire for glory.“

The alicorn’s tone changed. “But I forgive you.”

Hope rose in the heart of the pegasus. He forgives me?

“I forgive you, because I love you Rainbow Dash. Even with your mistakes and flaws, I love you. I saw all your treasons, and I still love you.“

The bright one stopped for a moment, then continued, “Now, Rainbow Dash, do you accept my forgiveness?”

Rainbow Dash’s heart was beating fast. For herself, she wanted now nothing else. With her eyes still closed, tears flowing down from her cheek, Rainbow Dash answered:

“I... accept it... T...Thank you.”

The alicorn smiled. Rainbow could not see it, but could feel as kindness and love radiated from the presence of the alicorn. Glimmering stream of light began to flow in the air from the alicorn to the pegasus, making her lift into the air. Rainbow felt as the stream flowed into her, filling her up.

“Then I, the Element of Love here proclaim that Rainbow Dash from this moment is the true and just bearer of the Element of Loyalty. All her sins that she committed or will commit are now eternally forgiven.“

Rainbow Dash, hearing Love's words, raised her head and smiled with tears of relief on her face. I am forgiven. She opened her pink eyes. The alicorn, a smile on his face, stepped close to her, then sat on his hind legs and raised his front hooves stretched out. Dash, after a few moments of hesitation, flapped her now-working wings and flew into the embrace of the bright one.

“Thank you, Love,” she said, sniffling. “I... I always hated myself for the moments when... when I failed.” She looked up on his face.

The alicorn was looking at her spoke with a smile, “You are forgiven, Rainbow Dash. Your past is now... finished.”

The Spirit of Loyalty, filled with joy and peace, put her head back onto his chest. A new thought came into her mind. My friends. They are still in danger. I have to save them.

“The bearers of Harmony can only be saved by the Element of Love,” he replied on her thought.

Rainbow Dash looked up again and begged, “Then please, Love, go and save my friends.”

Love closed his eyes and shook his head.

“It’s not possible. They are not asking for my help. They believe in themselves... and in you.” He looked back to Dash, but spoke with no accusation in his voice. “I only go to the ones who humble themselves with open heart, and call for my name. You must go.” He caressed her mane. “You must go and save them; with me, with my power.”

Dash replied, “But if you don't come, then... how?”

“I'll always be with you from now. I'll never forsake you or leave you for a moment. Even if you'll not see me, or hear me, I'll see you, and hear you. You can call for me, whenever you'd like to."

Dash slowly released the embrace of the bright one. I wish I could stay with him more. But if I have to go, then there is no time to waste. I must save... ehm... we must save my friends, Dash corrected herself, realizing that the bright one can hear her thoughts.

Love nodded, and let her go. Dash flapped her wings, and immediately was in air, hovering.

Love stood up and said, “Your friends are kept in the Everfree Forest, in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters—”

“Great! Let’s go!” Dash interrupted. She stood up on two legs in the air, twisted her shoulders to the right, and raised her wings for a big flap.

“NO! Wait!” Love cried out.

Dash lowered her hooves with a groan. She went back to small flaps of her wings and turned back to the alicorn. “Why? We can't waste any more time!”

Love smiled and shook his head. “Rainbow Dash, I know how much you love your friends, but sometimes you just need to be more patient, or things might go the opposite way you want.”

The pegasus sighed, rolled her eyes and said, “Fine.” She landed on the floor.

When Dash settled down, Love began to explain, “The sky over the Everfree Forest is dangerous on its own. But now, with the presence of Darkness, a mist is hovering over the forest. The mist has similar magical effect that Discord’s spell had when you all were wandering in the maze of Canterlot.“

“I will... lose my wings?” Rainbow's eyes widened.

“Correct.” He nodded. “The north-west entrance where you entered at the time of the Summer Sun Celebration is also blocked by the mist, to prevent the citizens of Ponyville to go into the forest with magical capabilities.“

“Then how will I go into the forest?” Dash asked.

“There is another entrance at the south of the forest that leads to the castle."

"Cool, we got a plan then!" She stood up. I can't waste a second more.

"Wait!"

Dash groaned. "What now? I have to hurry!"

"Make sure that you go there by flying around the forest and not over it. And also—”

“Why would I do that? I'm not stupid! Come on!”

“You are not, but you are impatient. How many times will that lead you against your element?” said Love as a loving father to his daughter.

All the pride vanished from Rainbow’s heart. Love is trying to help me. To save my friends. But it’s more important to me not to be treated like a filly. “I’m sorry,” said Rainbow with both her voice and her head lowered.

“Dash, I know that even if you have pride in your heart, you want to change,“ said Love with kindness in his voice. “Whenever you make a mistake against your element, just tell me with a heart ready to change. I will forgive you, and help you get free from doing the same mistake over and over again.“

Rainbow looked up, smiled and said with caution in her sound, “So... can we go now?”

“One more thing. When you enter the forest, Darkness will immediately feel your presence, so be ready to face his trials, because he will not just simply let you reach the castle.”

Rainbow Dash’s heart sank. Darkness... the leader of the minions I faced? “But I've got no chance against him!”

“On your own, you do not,” nodded Love. “But I will be there, and I will help you. With my aid, you will be able to pass through any challenge that Darkness throws at you.“

A smile grew on Rainbow Dash’s face as trust was filling her heart. She flapped her wings. “Okay, now let’s go!” But also added with a little lower voice, “If... you don't have anything else to say of course.”

“Go Rainbow Dash, Spirit of Loyalty! I will be with you!”

Dash flew out of the room, and out of the castle through one of the windows at the top of the tower. She flew up high into the sky. When she gained enough altitude, she stopped in the air still flapping with her wings. She turned around with her front hoof over her eyes, her rainbow mane waving in the wind.

She spotted the Everfree Forest. As Love had foretold, a dark mist was hovering over the forest, glinting occasionally. Her heart was filling with fear again, but she shook her head. No! I have Love with me, I'll not be afraid. I’ll fight, and with him, we’ll save my friends. With confidence in her heart, she furrowed her eyebrows, and with a strong flap of her wings, she blasted towards the threatening sight of the Everfree Forest.

The Trials

It took half an hour for Rainbow Dash to reach the Everfree Forest. She flew around the forest, as Love suggested, and soon, she found the entrance. Hovering in front of it, she glanced into the woods. It was eerie and terrifying, especially since Dash knew that her greatest enemy would feel her presence inside. With a big gulp, she entered the forest, flying slow and carefully.

As she was flying, she sometimes glanced at her sides. The shadows and the trees created images of monsters in her mind; sometimes she could even see pairs of eyes watching her. Luckily, they were mostly harmless wild animals wandering in the forest.

In a few minutes, she reached a junction with three ways to choose from, but no signs showing the path to the castle.

Okay, now where to go from here? As she was thinking, three stallion pegasi emerged from the shadows at her left.

“Oh look, somepony is lost?” said one of them.

Dash looked at the direction of the voice. She could not completely see the stallion talking to her, but she tried anyways, “Oh, hey guys! Could you help me—”

The three shadows burst out in laughing.

She frowned. “What are you laughing at?”

“What’s up, Rainbow Crash?” said the other one.

That name... Now Dash knew who her visitors were, even though they all seemed gray under the shadows. “Hey, how dare you to call me that name!”

“You crash all the time. What else should we call you, Crash?”

“I made a Sonic Rainboom in front of your eyes; I've spent a whole day with the Wonderbolts!”

“Oh, and did they invite you into the team?” asked the other one.

Dash shut her mouth. The fact that the Wonderbolts didn’t invite her, even after all what she had done, was wound in her heart.

The stallion spoke again, “Of course not, who would want to hang out with somepony who crashes all the time?“

Dash stomped with her hoof, her heart filled with anger. She was about to rush forward and buck the stallion in the face. “Oh you.. you big...”

“Dash, stop fighting! This leads nowhere,” Love’s voice sounded in her mind.

“But they're mocking me!” Dash complained.

“Oh watch this! Rainbow Crash is now talking to herself,” said the stallion with a grin.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Dash glared at the stallions. Still fighting with her pride and a desire for revenge, she lowered her head, clenching her eyes. After a few seconds, she took a deep breath, and started to speak, “You know what... I think you are right.“

“Ha-ha-ha... Uhm... What?” the stallion asked.

Dash raised her head. “They didn’t invite me. That means I’m not ready. I might know a few tricks like the Sonic Rainboom and of course I can fly fast, but as you say, I still crash a lot.”

One of the stallions poked the other one and whispered to him, “What’s up with her?”

“So please, until I’m not a Wonderbolt of course, just keep calling me Rainbow Crash. It'll remind me that I must train harder and keep up learning and practicing.“

To Dash’s surprise, the bodies of the mockers collapsed into a small glowing orb, and flew away through the path on her rightest.

“Follow it,” said Love.

Dash followed its trail. As the hope she gained from her first trial lifted her heart up, her speed increased. The trail with the orb disappeared after a few minutes, but there was no need for it. I already know which way to go.

She heard a growl. Timberwolves had smelled the pegasus flying past them, and followed her through the dense branches of the forest. Dash glanced around nervously, taking big breaths and quickening her pace. She could hear the rustling of the leaves as the wolves stepped on them. Suddenly, a timberwolf jumped out of the bushes in front of Dash, facing the flying pegasus and growling. Dash glanced behind her, but three other wolves already blocked her path and were walking towards her. She knew that flying out of the forest was not the option because of the magical mist hovering over the forest, and rocketing through the forest was a sure way to crash into something, leaving her defenseless against the wolves. The wolf in front of her leaned back, and got ready for a jump. Rainbow Dash glared at the timberwolf in front of her, and got ready to evade the leap.

However, it didn’t jump. The eyes of the timberwolf grew big, and the monster froze in its place. Dash's eyes went wide and she glanced back. The wolves behind her were shaking. Rainbow could not see, but the timberwolves were almost blinded by the light radiating out of her. They all backed off, and in a quick turn, each of them fled in fear.

Dash sighed in relief when the wolves got out of her sight. She could have taken out a wolf or two, but there were four of them, and probably a lot more, based on all the noises she heard when they retreated. She continued on her path still wondering about the unexpected behavior of the timberwolves. In half an hour, she reached another junction, but this time it was easy to choose, as the other path was coming from the western part of the forest. She soon started to notice things that seemed familiar. The forest slowly rarefied, and she now could see the silhouette of a castle through the branches.

Yes. “I’m finally here!” Dash cried.

“Yes, Dash. You reached the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters,” Love affirmed her.

“Rarity, Twilight, I’m COMING!” she cried, and shot herself forward.

“NO! WAIT!”

Dash didn’t notice the mist before the bridge. When she flew through it, she immediately lost her wings in flight. She fell on the ground, rolling towards the abyss from the momentum. She could barely catch the edge of the cliff. With a big strain on her muscles, she managed to pull herself back onto the ground. After feeling the ground under herself, Dash looked at her flanks.

“My wings. MY WINGS! AAAAAAAAAA”

Flying for Rainbow Dash was like breathing. While Fluttershy moved around on hoof, Rainbow Dash almost always stayed in the air. When Discord had taken her wings, at least she had been with her friends. Now, she seemed to be alone, beyond the Everfree Forest, with everything around her hostile.

“Ohmygosh, ohmygosh, what should I do, what should I do?” Dash was breathing fast, jerking her head between the castle and her lost wings.

But she was not alone. “Calm down, Rainbow Dash,” Love tried.

“I HAVE LOST MY WINGS!” Dash yelled.

“Everything will be alright, just calm down, please.”

Dash, still breathing fast, closed her eyes and tried calming herself. “Okay...Okay... Everything will be alright...Everything will be alright,” she whispered. She opened her eyes again, and examined the situation.

“So now what? The bridge is down, and I have no wings!” Dash said, staring at her side.

“Walk over the abyss,” said Love.

“WHAT?”

“Trust me. Walk over the abyss,” repeated Love.

“No... You are crazy! There is no bridge!” opposed Dash.

“Trust me.”

She walked to the edge of the cliff and glanced down. This is crazy. Without wings, I'll fall down. I'll die. She stepped back, facing the ground under herself. Fighting with her fears, faith was winning her heart. She furrowed her eyebrows. No. Love told me that I could walk over the abyss, he told me to trust him. She raised her head and stepped back to the edge. Rainbow Dash looked up to the castle. And. I. will. She closed her eyes and after a big breath, with faith in Love, stepped forward.

She stepped on... the nothing. She glanced down with mouth open. Something was glowing under her hoof. She carefully put another hoof on the nothing, and it stood firm. She passed over the abyss with slow, careful steps. She was more than happy when she reached the other side.

Dash turned back to the chasm, smiling. “Oh yeah, I did it!” cried she. She looked around for a small object, and found a stone. She grabbed it and threw it where she crossed. The stone fell into the abyss, bouncing from the two stone walls in snaps, much to her surprise.

Dash then turned towards the castle and started walking, wingless. Thinking about the crossing over the chasm, she did not notice that the wind started to blow when she left the bridge. The things that grabbed her attention were small dark clouds, coming together a little ahead of her. Her eyes grew wide, when two shadow pegasi materialized.

“We finally found you, false bearer of Loyalty."

Dash flinched and gasped. She tried to take off, but realized that she lost her wings.

“Oh no... NO!” Dash panicked.

“Come, Rainbow Dash. Let us take your burden,” spoke the other one.

Fluttershy began to scream again in Dash’s head. Dash dropped herself on the ground with hooves on her ears.

“Oh, please make it stop. Please make it stop!” Dash begged, clenching her eyes.

However, another voice spoke over the scream in her head. “Rainbow Dash, you are forgiven. The sins of the past cannot condemn you anymore.”

“Come with us, get what you deserve,” said the dark one walking towards the grounded pegasus.

“They are lying to you. Do not listen to them!” said Love.

“Then what should I do? I have nowhere to run!” Dash said.

“Let them touch you.”

“WHAT?” cried out Dash, still not being used to Love's ideas.

“Trust me, your sins are forgiven. They cannot hurt you.”

After a few seconds of hesitation, Dash took a deep breath. I trusted you before, and you helped me. I trust you again. She stood up, and locked her frowning eyes on the minions. The minions reached her, and one of them touched her rainbow mane, casting the wrap up spell.

It was blasted about 30 feet away from Dash by the power that she emitted, hitting the ground hard. The other one, after seeing its companion fall, stepped back. Dash darted her eyes between the two pegasi. The closer one was trembling. Dash, with courage now filling her heart, stepped forward with a grin. The minion jumped and fled in fear towards the castle, slowly vanishing. The fallen one succeeded to stand up, and glanced at Dash.

Dash looked in its eyes. “Boo.”

The minion flapped its wings and flew away in panic. Dash was left alone again, but she knew she was not alone. I am forgiven. These guys have no power over me.

Dash’s sides glimmered. She glanced back, and a smile grew on her face. In a few seconds, both of her wings were back again.

“Oh, my wings!” she cried. She raised them, and flapped, ascending to the air again. “Ah, yeah!” She then turned to the castle.

“Watch out, Darkness. I’m coming!” said she and flew into the castle.

The Battle

Entering the lower part of the castle, Dash looked around, but did not find anypony inside. Maybe they're in the upper part where we defeated Nightmare Moon, she thought, then followed the stairs up and flew into citadel.

She froze. Her friends, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and Pinkie Pie were hovering in green glowing bubbles, whimpering from pain. In front of them, stood a stallion unicorn, taller than Princess Celestia. His body was completely black. He was facing the five mares, his horn glowing green. Shaking down the initial shock, she glared at the black unicorn.

“Darkness, leave my friends alone!” Rainbow Dash yelled.

Darkness stopped torturing Dash’s friends, and turned towards her. His eyes were dark red. “Ah, the false Spirit of Loyalty. So you reached the castle. Congratulations,” said the unicorn with a deep, echoing voice, filled with mockery.

Twilight gasped. “Oh Dash, you're finally here! I don’t think we could—“

“SHUT UP!” Darkness shouted, and with a quick spell, he closed the mouth of the unicorn.

Dash, with a glare that could have burned a hole into the wall, said, “I’m the true Spirit of Loyalty, and you’ll now release my friends!”

Darkness laughed as a reply and started walking towards Dash.

Dash charged directly at the face of the unicorn, with her right front hoof stretched forward. She hit the black unicorn, but she bounced off. "Whoa!" Rocketing backwards, Rainbow Dash shook her head and began rapidly flapping her wings. At the last second, she managed to regain control of her flight before she could have smashed into the wall behind her.

She charged again. Before touching Darkness, she did four incredibly fast direction changes: left, right, right, left, making her stand behind Darkness, and bucked. Her strength reflected from the unicorn’s body, making her fly through her captured friends, hitting the wall behind them. The ponies in the bubble watched Dash with wide eyes.

“You poor pegasus,“ said Darkness. He turned his face back and telekinetically grabbed the dazed Dash on her tail. He moved her in front of him, upside down.

“You really thought you can deal any damage to me with your muscles? To me? The Element of Darkness?” He smirked. “Without magic, you're a meaningless opponent.”

“So you want magic?” Dash smirked back. “Then you'll get magic!” And with a strong flap of her wings, she released herself from the telekinetic grab and punched the ground under her. A dome of magic flared out from her punch, hitting Darkness and knocking him back. Dash jumped, flew to the unicorn, and began circling around him. A rainbow tornado emerged, lifting the howling Darkness up, and carrying him away.

“Now how do you like this one?” Dash said.

“Dash, stop fighting. You're doing no damage to him,” said Love in Dash’s head.

“No damage? I’m winning this match!” replied Dash.

Darkness dispelled the tornado, turned to Dash and started mass casting small fireballs, throwing them at her. Dash dodged all of them without any problem.

“Slow! Slow! Slow again!“ mocked she the casting unicorn. “Now what do you think about this!” said Dash, and flew towards Darkness, but with a little angle to his right, and in a quick move, she did a strong turn to his left in flight, and kept banking left, creating an arc of rainbow. The rainbow arc hit Darkness in his head, but did not even make a scratch on him.

Darkness stopped casting fireballs, and started laughing in a deep tone. “You really thought that you could hurt me with your pitiful pegasi magic?“

Still laughing, he jerked his head from left to right, making a blazing arc of fire that rushed towards Dash. Dash barely managed to evade it, ducking on the ground with her eyes shut. It still singed her mane. What's this? He's not trying to capture me. He's trying to kill me!

“Oh, being so agile, little pegasus?” mocked her Darkness, “Then dodge THIS!”

The black unicorn’s horn glowed in green and he swung his horn down. A wall of energy emerged, moving forward to Rainbow Dash. It grew bigger and bigger, filling up the whole castle. Dash hopped in the air, but when she opened her eyes, she could only have a glimpse of the spell she could not evade. The wall of energy spell smashed Dash to the wall. She fell down, paralyzed.

And I have nothing to counter him.

“Dash, let me defeat Darkness,” said Love.

How? No magic or muscle can hurt him!

“Have faith in me, Spirit of Loyalty, as you had when you faced the minions in the room of the professor!”

Still laughing, Darkness started walking towards the fallen pegasus. Dash succeeded to regain control of her muscles, and with a few groans, she stood up. She glanced up on her nemesis. Darkness’s horn was burning with fire. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, and lowered her head.

I trust you, defeat him.

Wind began to blow. Small comets of light were flying into the castle through the windows and gaps of the walls. They flew to Dash and circled around her, making her brighter and brighter. The power of the comets slowly lifted her body and her head up.

She opened her eyes. They were no longer pink, but shone like the sun on a summer day. She looked down at the dark unicorn. Darkness stopped his advance, and quit casting. His smile withered away.

The floating pegasus started to speak, but her sound was no longer the same. Her sound was echoing, filled with glory and majesty. “Element of Darkness,“ 'she' addressed him.

“What have I to do with you, Element of Love?“ Darkness replied, his voice trembling.

“You shall not keep the bearers of the Elements of Harmony as your prisoners anymore. Let them leave!”

Darkness tried to disagree, “They sinned, therefore they are sentenced to be under my captivity.”

Element of Love, speaking through the body of Rainbow Dash replied, “We have settled this before. I am the one who decides if the bearers have to be punished or not. And now, I give them grace.“

“Well, sure...” Darkness glared the pegasus. He moved to battle stance, and his horn began to burn again. He was casting a huge fireball, thinking that he could still incinerate the body of the pegasus, making the presence of Love go away.

“WHO ARE YOU TO OPPOSE ME?” shouted Love at an ear-shattering volume, making the whole castle shake. “I AM THE ELEMENT OF LOVE AND I AM PROTECTING THIS PEGASUS! I WILL NOT EVEN LET YOU BURN A HAIRBREADTH OF HER!“

Love brought Dash's front hooves close to each other and an orb of light that shot arcs grew in them. Darkness slung his enormous fireball towards the pegasus. Love, holding the orb of light in Dash’s right front hoof, spun and threw the orb against Darkness. When the orb collided with the fireball, it emitted a huge flash, but the fireball could not extinguish the orb. The fire amplified the orb of light. Darkness flinched with eyes wide. The orb, with increasing speed, flames waving out of it, shot at Darkness and hit him on his head. Darkness shone from the impact.

“NOOOOOOOOOO!” shouted as he was vanishing by the power of the orb, becoming brighter and brighter. When the light was finally gone, Darkness vanished.

The New Beginning

Dash slowly descended onto the ground. Love smiled through her, and raised her right hoof. It shimmered, and five small orbs shot towards Dash's friends. He then bowed, closed the eyes of the pegasus, and gave the control back to Rainbow Dash.

When Dash opened her eyes, they were pink again, now shining from happiness.

“That. Was. Awesome!” Dash cried.

The orbs shined as they touched the prisons, slowly dispelling the dark magic. When the bubbles disappeared, the orbs caught Dash's friends, and slowly descended them to the ground. The mares looked at each other, then at Dash. Dash jumped to the air, rushed to her friends, and brought all of them into a big group hug. They hugged back and everypony sighed in relief and cried together. Nopony could say a word; after all the fighting and suffering they went through, the joy of reunion was endless.

When their embrace finally broke, Twilight spoke first, “How could you defeat the Element of Darkness? I mean, I saw what you did, but how? And how could you escape the minions?” The rest were also looking at Rainbow Dash.

“Well... I defeated him by the Element of Love,” replied Dash. However, her friends weren't satisfied.

“Aaaand what's that?” Applejack asked.

Dash was thinking for a while and answered, “Love is... I guess somepony like Princess Celestia, but much stronger. And he's a stallion.“

“And you met him?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“Yes, yes I did,“ Dash answered. “I met him in a secret room in Canterlot Castle. Princess Luna hid me there, but the minions found me.“

Fluttershy gasped. “Oh dear. And what did you do?”

“Well... I asked Love to help me."

Pinkie Pie's eyes lit up. “And he came?”

“Yes... he did. He defeated the minions and forgave my sins.“ That answer grew a smile on Pinkie’s face.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Forgave yer sins? What do ya mean by that?”

Dash thought for a few seconds. “I... I do not know. He said that he's the judge of the bearers. He declared that I failed, then in the next second he offered me forgiveness. Since that, the minions cannot hurt me.“

“And what did he look like?” Rarity asked, her mind full of different images.

“He was all... light and love. Yes, that’s he was like,” Dash explained, scratching her head.

Fluttershy turned to Twilight. “Twilight, can you teleport us back to Ponyville? I really don't want to walk through the Everfree Forest during the night.”

Twilight grimaced. “Fluttershy, I don’t think we're finished here.“

Fluttershy blinked. “But why Twilight? That big monster is no longer a threat. Dash defeated him."

Rarity answered, while fixing her mane, “Fluttershy, darling, when Twilight did the same to the dark creatures what Dash did to this horrible monster, they came back in a few seconds. They said that they were banished from this world, but they could come back. Of course, they said that their master recreated their body, but what if Darkness can recreate himself?“

“Not to mention, that Darkness was defeated like this several times already,“ added Dash. “Princess Luna told me that when she and Princess Celestia were captured by Darkness... Yes they were!” confirmed Dash when she saw their friends’ surprise. “So when they were captured, a young filly came to rescue them, and did something like you saw here today, I guess."

“Hm... I really want to meet this Element of Love,” Twilight said. “So you say, I just call him?”

“Ehm... maybe?“ Dash hesitated.

“Well, then,” Twilight turned her face away from Dash. “Element of Love, if you exist then appear now.”

Nothing happened. They all glanced around but saw no change.

“It does not seem to work,” said Applejack.

“Not that way, you silly filly,” said Pinkie Pie, and walked away from her friends. They only noticed now that her mane was still deflated. She stopped and looked out of the windows over her, then sat back on her haunches.

“Pinkie, what are you—” tried to say Twilight, but Dash rushed to Twilight, and put her hoof on the unicorn’s mouth with a grin. They all watched her.

“Element of Love,” started Pinkie Pie, “I tried to be the pony who makes everypony laugh, but I failed. I failed so many times that I've lost count. Sometimes they just ignored me, sometimes I annoyed them, sometimes I even made them angry. One time...” She started sniffling. “One time I gave up making them happy, and created friends for myself." She closed her eyes. "I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me, and make me somepony who can be called as the Spirit of Laughter.“

Small shining orbs flew into the castle through the windows to the front of Pinkie. They gathered, becoming so shining, that nopony could watch it anymore.

“Pinkie Pie,” spoke somepony in the voice of a stallion, “you are worthy to be called the Spirit of Laughter. Your sins are forgiven.”

Rarity, Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy faced the ground, bowing before the almighty alicorn. They had no power to stand up. Dash welcomed the radiating love and peace coming from Love and stood without a problem. She glanced at her bowing friends, then continued watching Pinkie Pie.

Light poured out from Love and into the sitting pink pony, restoring her mane. She looked up at Love with a huge beam. Then she closed her eyes and started bouncing in front of him, overwhelmed by the joy filling her heart.

“Oh, thank you thank you thank you thank you,“ she cried.

Love laughed cheerfully. “You are indeed the Spirit of Laughter, Pinkie Pie.”

“Ehm... Yer Majesty?” said Applejack, still bowing.

“Speak, Spirit of Honesty,” Love said, and a tendril came out of him, touching Applejack.

Applejack rose up from the ground, still bowing her head. “Ah remember seein’ Pinkie Pie with that strange mane. Ah remember that well, cause that day"—she gulped—"Ah lied.“

“When Ah lied, Ah hoped that if Ah lie, Ah'll not spoil the surprise, and Ah'll make her happy.“ She swallowed, then continued, “The next time Ah saw her, she was filled with hatred. Now Ah know that it was her worst afternoon of her life. That lie has hurt her so much that she has been suffering till now.“

Applejack stopped for a moment. “Ah do not want to lie to anypony. Element o’ Love, help me. Give me the wisdom Ah need.“

“Indeed you need wisdom Applejack,” replied Love, “and I will give you as much as you need.“

Applejack glowed as the tendril swirled around her and went into her. She looked up on the bright alicorn.

“Thank you Element o’ Love. Ah'll never let ya down,” Applejack said.

“Even if you would, you now know where to ask for forgiveness,” replied Love with a wink.

Applejack then glanced at Pinkie, who was now standing, staring at her. Ah wish Ah could say sorry to Pinkie, thought Applejack.

“Do not fear to come close to me, Applejack,” said Love.

Applejack nodded and walked to Pinkie Pie. Applejack removed her hat, and held it under her neck with her right hoof. “Pinkie, Ah’m so sorry, for lyin' at that day. Can ya... forgive me?”

“Of course, silly!” replied Pinkie, still smiling. “Love forgave me, I forgive you. Easy.”

“Yeah... easy,” chuckled Applejack, and put her hat back on her head. She then looked back to the others. Rainbow Dash was hovering over the still bowing ponies.

“Come on girls! You weren't brought here by Darkness for nothing,“ said Dash.

“I was not indeed,” cried out Rarity. “Oh, I am so sorry Dash that I forgot about you when you were in need and participated in the Best Young Flyer competition.“

“I already forgave you, Rarity,“ replied Dash.

“Please Love,” she said, raising her head, with her eyes closed, and tears flowing down from her cheek, “change me into somepony who is really as generous as she is said to be.“

Love smiled. He lifted Rarity up with a tendril, and levitated her in front of him, placing her on the ground. Rarity opened her azure eyes, and Love looked deep into them. “Rarity, I love your heart. You want give others everything you have and expect nothing back. I will make sure that you will never be in need.“ Light flowed Love's body into Rarity's. “And I will purify your heart, and make it perfect.”

Rarity smiled and shone from the Love's light. Then, filled up with Love’s presence, she turned and looked at Fluttershy.

Love turned to the direction of Fluttershy as well. She was still bowing, with her eyes shut. “She is still so shy. Do not give up encouraging her,” Love said through telepathy to Rarity, Pinkie, Dash, and Applejack. Applejack raised her left eyebrow and looked at Love. Rainbow Dash noticed her friend’s reaction at the strange way of communication. She flew to Applejack and explained it to her in whisper.

“Uhm... Love,” whispered Fluttershy, unaware that everypony was staring at her.

“Do not fear from me Fluttershy. Please, speak,“ Love said with tenderness.

“I... Twilight called me the Spirit of Kindness... and in some way maybe I was.” Fluttershy raised her voice, but it was still barely over whisper. “But... but sometimes I lost my temper... and... I became a monster...“ She clenched her eyes, her shame making her unable to continue.

“I can see everything in your heart Fluttershy,” said Love and Fluttershy shimmered from the light flowing from Love into her. She looked up on him.

“And all I see now is the true Spirit of Kindness. You shall not worry anymore about what you've done in the past.“

Fluttershy took a deep breath. “Thank you, Element of Love."

“I love you Fluttershy,“ said Love, “do not hold kindness back, the world needs it.”

Fluttershy smiled and nodded.

Everypony stood on their hooves in the citadel, but one.

“Twilight, what’s the problem?” asked Applejack.

Twilight did not answer. She was still bowing, her front hooves on her head, her eyes clenched. Her friends walked to her and surrounded her.

“I heard what the minion accused you of, darling,” said Rarity. “Why don’t you tell it to Love as we all did?”

“Because I cannot be forgiven!“ yelled Twilight, still with closed eyes. She continued talking, “Discord was leading the whole world into chaos. And I... I gave up. I gave up on you. I gave up on Equestria. I gave up on the whole world. The only way to save the world was to use the Elements of Harmony, but I instead turned myself into a spirit of Chaos on my own will. Even if Celestia restored me by sending letters,” she whispered, “I do not think I can be forgiven for giving up on every creature in this world.“

“There is no big sin I cannot forgive, Spirit of Friendship,” said Love.

“Even... even this big?” Twilight asked, her voice shaking.

“Twilight Sparkle, I never lie. If I say there is no big sin I cannot forgive, then there is none. However, you have to accept my forgiveness. Let yourself be forgiven, ” said Love.

Love's words won in Twilight’s heart. She stood up and raised her head. She stopped clenching her eyes, but still left them closed. “I... let myself. Please, forgive me.“

The bright alicorn raised his wings, and her shining doubled. “Twilight Sparkle, Spirit of Friendship,” he said in a voice that shook the whole room.

Twilight opened her violet eyes. When she looked at Love's majestic appearance, she gasped and froze. Her friends could also do nothing else, but stare.

“Your sins are forgiven.“

She felt as the power of the bright one flowed through her body, filling her heart with hope, relief, and joy.

When the process was finished, Love lowered his wings and his brightness. He was about to leave.

“Uhm, Love. There's something I don't understand,“ said Rainbow Dash.

“Speak, Rainbow Dash,” Love said.

“You said that you and Darkness have settled this before. What did you mean?”

Love nodded, and started speaking, “Two thousand years ago, six mares came to the land of Equestria. Their land was under destruction by a gigantic fire elemental. They learned that the rulers of Equestria had a special power, the Elements of Harmony, which could even defeat the draconequus of chaos called Discord. They asked Princess Celestia to help, but she refused, because she could not leave the land of Equestria unprotected. At that time, she and her sister were the bearers of Harmony.“ Love stopped her tale.

“So... they stole the Elements?” Twilight asked.

“Correct,“ Love confirmed. “They did not know that only the Spirits of Harmony can wield the Elements. When they arrived back, they realized that they didn't know how to use the jewelry and started searching for the information needed. However, their land could not provide the necessary knowledge. During the search, they tried to evade the areas where the fire elemental was, but one day it found them. At the desperate moment, they wielded the Elements and fired.”

“How could they do that?” Twilight asked in disbelief. “I mean... even if they were the Spirits of Harmony, the chance that they wield the elements in the correct order is...”

“1 to 720,“ finished Love. “So I had to help them.“

“You helped?” asked Fluttershy.

“Yes, Fluttershy. I made the Elements move right on their necks when they wanted to wield them. That was the only way to save them, and their nation.“

“So, let me guess,” said Dash. “They defeated that big monster, then Darkness came for them.“

“Yes, he did. He kidnapped the bearers. But I didn't let them suffer. I went directly to Darkness and offered myself in exchange for the bearers of Harmony. He accepted the deal. I gave up my glory and my powers and allowed him to torture me,“ he lowered her head.

The girls flinched, Rarity and Fluttershy gasped.

“He abused his position and humiliated me as much as he could, before he finally put me into the green prison. But he could not keep me,“ continued Love, and raised his head. “Even if I offered myself in exchange, I was innocent. On the third day, I got my powers back and freed myself from Darkness' prison. And since that, I am the one who decides who can be punished, and who can be forgiven. And I forgive everypony who comes to me with humble and open heart.“

The six friends smiled as they remembered how it happened to them.

Love rose up in the air, with his wings spread, shining as he was leaving. He started to speak. “Spirits of Harmony, you are all free now. Darkness from now on does not have any power over you. From this moment, I will always be with you. I will lead you on your life. And never forget: you are the true Spirits of Harmony, not because of what you have done, but because I forgave you.“

THE END

The Night of Judgement

Night came to Equestria. Ponies were getting ready for enjoying their well-earned sleep after a long day of work, much to Princess Luna’s sadness. She still raised the moon, being faithful to her subjects. At least they are awake during Nightmare Night, she thought, then turned and walked back into her room.

Applejack was sleeping peacefully in her room. When she did not have any plans for the night, she usually went to bed early.
.

Wind began to blow outside, and grey mist leaked in through the window-frames. The mist collected itself in two clouds that slowly formed two pony-like creatures. The creatures' bodies were dark gray, their manes light gray, and their eyes black.

“Uhm, wha?” moaned Applejack as her dreams were slowly leaving her.

‘“Applejack,” said a dark, echoing voice, "the false bearer of the Element of Honesty.“

Applejack jolted up in her bed. “Hey! Ya two! What are ya doin’ in my room?”

“You failed to be the Spirit of Honesty, you will be punished for your sins,” the creature replied.

“What? Yes, Ah lied... sometimes,” she remembered. Lots of construction going on in there right now, she had said to Pinkie Pie, when they had been preparing for her birthday party.

“We are the minions of Darkness, we can hear your thoughts," it spoke again. "You have just admitted that you failed. You lied to the bearer of Laughter. You brought disharmony to your friendship. You are not worthy to be the bearer of Honesty.”

Applejack jumped out of her bed and put her hat on her head. The creatures started to walk towards Applejack.

“What in tarnation is going on?” Applejack asked.

“Exactly,” responded one of them, laughing.

“Stop righ’ there! Okay, ya wanted it,” she said, then turned and bucked in the direction of the closer one. Her hooves went through the head of it, but didn’t do any harm. The creature stepped closer and touched Applejack. A glowing green aura emerged under Applejack, slowly surrounding her, as the creature was keeping its hoof on her.

“Leave me alone!” Applejack shouted, trying to break free, but it was no use. She was slowly lifted up from the ground, enveloped into a green bubble.

“Is everythin’ okay, Applejack?” said a high-pitched voice. Apple Bloom appeared at the doorway of Applejack’s room.

The creatures turned their faces to the door, then laughed. Applejack was being levitated a foot over the ground. “Run, Apple Bloom!” she yelled.

Apple Bloom flinched.

“Go away, little one. You have no business here,” said one of them.

Apple Bloom frowned and stomped on the floor. “Put yer hooves off my big sister!” she yelled and charged them.

“Apple Bloom, NO!” Applejack yelled in desperation.

“Hee yaaah!” Apple Bloom jumped with her hind hoof stretched forward.

She flew through its body, hitting the wall behind it and falling on the ground.

The creatures laughed. Apple Bloom stood up and turned around. All three of them were fading away.

“No! Ya're not takin’ her away!” she yelled and charged again, now aiming for Applejack. She jumped, but Applejack vanished before she could touch her.

Apple Bloom fell on the ground. She got up quickly and darted her eyes around, but she could not see Applejack anymore.

“Applejack? Applejack! APPLEJACK!”

Big tears flowed down from Apple Bloom’s face as she kept calling for her beloved sister, but nopony answered her.

“You must go bed, Angel. It’s too late for a bunny to stay awake.”

Despite Fluttershy’s kind nature, Angel the rabbit refused to sleep.

“Please, Angel. You know it too that you need your sleep. I don't want to use my Stare on you,“ Fluttershy begged.

The front door shot open.

“Fluttershy, the bearer of Kindness,“ shouted a voice, while wind was blowing into the cottage.

Angel jumped and sprinted away.

Fluttershy, with her voice trembling, replied, “Y...Y...Yes?”

“You used the Element of Kindness, but you are not worthy anymore,“ answered the now visible dark creatures, slowly moving towards Fluttershy.

Fluttershy backed off, trying to keep the distance. Her cyan eyes were fully open, filled with fear.

“But... but...”

She heard her own voice inside her head,

YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE ME!

NOW PULL IT BACK TO THE LINE WHERE YOU BELONG!

NOPONY PUSHES NEW FLUTTERSHY AROUND, NOPONY!

Fluttershy fainted. The shadows surrounded her, and a few seconds later, they all were gone.

Pinkie Pie was bouncing outside of Ponyville. The sun was shining, and she was happy. Her last party went more than well. Gummy looked so happy. He loved the cake for sure!

“Oh, Pinkie Pie, were you hanging around with the losers again?” asked a deep female voice behind her. Pinkie turned around. She saw nothing more than a flour-sack. She looked around.

“Hello? Is anypony there?” Pinkie asked.

“Well, nopony is here. Don’t you find that... strange?” asked the voice again. The sack moved.

“Huh? What are you? A talking sack?” Pinkie raised an eyebrow.

“My name is Madame Le Flour,” answered the sack, now standing, with one of its knot pointing to itself.

Pinkie Pie shook her head. “But... no! I made you up! You can’t be here! I'm no longer the sad Pinkie Pie.”

“But you were,“ said something, similar to Pinkie's voice.

“Rocky?”

“Yes Pinkie,“ said a pile of rocks at her right.

“But, no, no, no! That is not possible! I have my friends, I don't need you!”

“But you still enjoyed our company, didn’t you?” Rocky asked, its voice now echoing, and becoming deep.

“You needed nopony. You didn’t want anypony to laugh anymore,” said Madame, her tone also deep.

The dream collapsed, and Pinkie saw two dark shadows in the place of her imaginary friends. The creatures were walking towards her bed.

“You do not deserve to bear the Element of Laughter, Pinkamena Diane Pie,” said one of them.

“You're right. I don't.” She hung her head and her hair deflated.

The mist ponies reached Pinkie Pie, and packed her up. She didn't even try to resist.

The lights in the library were still on.

I know something terrible is coming, but I don't know how to prevent it. Twilight read book after book, and scroll after scroll. She felt the same way when she first came to Ponyville: she knew a disaster was coming, but nopony listened to her.

“No. No. No. No. No. NO!” Twilight groaned, and the books she was levitating fell on the ground.

She sighed. “Oh, Spike! Without you, I’m lost,”

Twilight lifted the books up again, then she noticed something in the text of one of the books. She dropped the rest of the books , and brought the open book closer.

The demons of Darkness we faced. Their bodies... mist, their mane... gray. We fought, but failed. No muscle can hurt these.

Twilight hummed and put the book on her table. She checked the title on the cover. 'The Great Adventures of Challenge Mare'. Hm... What if it’s not just a made up story and it has connection to this Element of Dar—

A scream cut through the night.

Twilight jerked her head up. “Huh? Rarity? I’m coming!” Twilight yelled and immediately teleported to Carousel Boutique.

“AAAAAAH! LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU CREATURES OF HELL!” Rarity yelled at the shadows that were closing on her. She tried to throw the items she found in the boutique at the minions, but the objects fell through their bodies.

“You participated in the Best Young Flyer Competition for glory, stealing the attention from your friend. You took away Spike’s birthday present that he wanted to give himself.”

“HE GAVE IT TO ME!”

“Because you used your charm to take it.”

Twilight appeared near to Rarity.

The speaking dark creature turned to Twilight. “Ah, the one who bears the Element of Magic.“ It laughed.

“Oh Twilight, it’s so good to see you here. I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you,” Rarity said.

“You don’t need to apologize,“ Twilight said, then turned to the creatures, “Begone, demons!“ She charged her horn up.

“It’s no use, Twilight Sparkle, you cannot defeat us. We are the minions of Darkness.”

“We will see.” Twilight's horn was now glowing, bright sparks dropping from it. She lowered her head.

A purple beam of magic fired from Twilight’s horn, hitting and throwing the minion back. “Huh?“ flinched the other one, before getting the same treatment and crushing into the wall.

“Well, even if muscles can't hurt you, you don’t seem to resist magic very well,“ Twilight smirked.

“What do you think about us, Twilight Sparkle?“ Two other minions stood at the doorway of the boutique.

“Well, you can get your portion, too,” Twilight answered, her horn still glowing.

“Watch out, darling, they have horns!” Rarity motioned towards them.

Twilight checked them again. “So you got magic. Let’s dance!”

Twilight cast another spell, altering the parameters of the room to her aid. She now could see that the horned minions were charging black magic. Twilight didn't hesitate and shot a beam at them. The minions vanished and appeared next to Twilight, one of them touching her coat. Twilight teleported to the other side of the room.

A green aura started to envelop her. She gasped, but quickly cast a purple protective aura, that nullified the unconnected dark aura. The dark unicorns were already casting their next spell. Twilight teleported a few feet away. Two balls of black energy hit the wall behind her old position, burning in black flames that quickly vanished. Twilight answered with two magic missiles that hit the horned minions. They howled and flinched from the power of Twilight's missiles, but remained at their positions. Twilight, using up her advantage, tried to telekinetic grab the minions, but could not find their physical dimension.

“What? These are... ghosts?” Twilight asked with wide eyes.

The creatures laughed. “Well, close.“

Twilight frowned. “You two came for me and not for Rarity. What are you accusing me of, anyways?“

“You used the Element of Magic, but you are not worthy,“ replied one of them.

“What do you mean I’m not worthy? Is it because some of my spells failed?” Twilight asked, glaring at them.

“No. It’s because you are not the pure Spirit of Friendship.”

“What?” Twilight's eyebrows lifted. “Am I not supposed to be the Spirit of Magic?”

The other minion answered in a mocking voice, “Friendship is magic.”

The first one continued, “You left all your friends when Discord forced them to be the Spirits of Disharmony, but he didn’t need to force you, did he?”

Twilight clenched her eyelids together. With friends like you, who needs... enemies...? She lowered her head.

Rarity screamed.

Twilight jerked her head up. The creatures sent for Rarity came around and were enveloping her. Rarity’s eyes were full of fear and dread.

She teleported to Rarity. With a groan, she sent out another purple bubble, dispelling the spell of the weaker minions and knocking them away from Rarity. Then, with a bowed head, she began casting a long-range group-teleport spell.

“ENOUGH TELEPORTING! YOU ARE GOING NOWHERE FROM HERE!” howled the horned minion, with its horn blackening, and executed a spell that made teleportation impossible. Twilight narrowed her eyes, trying to finish the spell, but failed. Twilight raised her head and desperately gazed into the azure eyes of the now-shocked Rarity. The white unicorn was trembling in fear, panting, her eyes unfocused.

Twilight slowly turned. A new feeling appeared in her heart. A feeling that she had thought she would never experience in her life.

“So you still want to keep fighting,“ said the horned minion.

“I will fight for my friends!” yelled Twilight. “And if I need to kill somepony protect them, then I WILL!“

Twilight cut her inner magic chains. She rose into the air, with a purple aura surrounding her. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were glowing in white.

The strong magical aura made Rarity recover from her shock. She glanced up, then gapped at Twilight.

“I WILL SHOW YOU WHO IS THE TRUE BEARER OF THE ELEMENT OF MAGIC!” Twilight shouted, her voice echoing. Collecting all her raw magical power, she stood up on her back hooves in air, stretched her now glowing front hooves back, and with a fast swing she stretched all her hooves forward, crossing over her belly, pushing her horn down between her two front hooves. A glowing dark-purple ray blasted out of Twilight’s body towards the two horned minions.

The horned minions shrieked as the ray vaporized them, wiping off their existence from Equestria. After finishing her spell, Twilight closed her eyes, lost her aura, and fell on the ground, unconscious.

“Twilight!” Rarity kneeled down. Twilight's mane was a mess, and she was breathing slowly. Rarity shook her.

Twilight came around, then gasped when she took in her surroundings. “Did... did I just kill two ponies?” Her voice trembled.

“You had to do it Twilight,” Rarity replied, her voice trembling too. “They... they gave you no other choice.“

The two still alive minions were shaking from fear. They didn’t even try to come closer.

Dark mist flowed into the boutique again. The two friends watched in horror as the mist slowly formed into two horned creatures.

“Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle,” The horned minion said with honest appreciation. “You have succeeded to banish us from this world. Our master had to recreate our body. The Ray of Death is a forbidden spell in Equestria for two reasons: one, it's the most lethal spell ever existed." The minion smirked. "Two, if someone even manages to cast it, it's so exhausting that it makes the unicorn incapable of doing any magic for hours.“

Twilight moaned, clenched her eyes, and tried to stand up, but pain jolted through her body. She fell back on her haunches and lowered her head.

“It’s okay, Twilight,” Rarity whispered, sitting down next to Twilight. “You tried everything you could, and I’m so proud of you.”

Twilight raised her head. Rarity was smiling at her, but Twilight could still see the fear in her azure eyes. They hugged each other. The dark ones started walking towards them.

“I’m scared,” Twilight whispered.

“Everything will be alright, Twilight. Don’t worry,” Rarity whispered, but Twilight felt her trembling.

The four minions reached them and broke their embrace by wrapping them up in their green prison.