Balance within Harmony

Twilight entered the library having not being able to defeat Discord and saw Spike laying in the middle of a bunch of scrolls. "What are these?" he asked looking at the ill looking Dragon.

Discord suddenly popped up from amongst the scrolls, reading one. "Oh, that silly Celestia was sending back your friendship reports. I guess she doesn't want to have you as her protege any more now you have failed her"

Twilights colours grew even darker and Discord danced with delight. He turned to Spike "Ah, hello dear friend, burnt any good books recently?" he quipped. He picked up the exhausted Dragon, aimed him towards the scrolls and squeezed him. This caused the dragon to emit his green fire, sending all of the scrolls back to Canterlot in one fair swoop!

Discord had never felt happier, he had won! He knew that as long as the Bearers of the Elements were disbanded, he was safe to rule Equestria. The other bearers could not resist his hypnotic powers, only Alicorns and for some reason this particular unicorn were safe from that. Although he could still remove anypony their powers and even Alicorns were susceptible to being brought down by chaos and sadness.

Twilight had started packing up some bags to leave town and Discord felt so happy he decided to rub it in.

"I could turn you back to a filly if you really want me to, to help you make a fresh start away from your ex-friends. Won't that be great, not seeing those pathetic ponies ever again"

Twilight sighed as he thought "Yeah, some friends they are. Applejack is just a big liar, Fluttershy is a big meanie, Rainbow is a jerk that doesn't care for anyone but himself and Pinkie is no fun anymore. And Rarity..." his train of thought stopped as his mind filled with the image of the Indigo maned unicorn.

"...and Rarity..." He thought back to when they first met, their first date and all the quiet moments they have shared since

"and Rares, who I LOVE, I could never leave!"

Instantly Twilights body and mane filled with his original colour. Whilst Discord was in a state of confusion over what had happened, Twilights horn glowed and Discord disappeared.

"That'll keep him busy for a while! It's time to get my friends back..." and with that Twilight grabbed a small box from a shelf and ran out of Golden Oaks Library, leaving Spike in bed to recover from his exertions.

Twilight made a beeline towards Carousel Boutique and went running in. Rarity turned, scowled at the intruder and placed herself between the colt and her new 'diamond'

"GET AWAY FROM TOM, HE's MINE" she yelled

"Rares, I'm not hear to take your diamond, I'm here to give you something"

"Oh, really?" The selfish unicorn asked in delight

"Yeah, I hadn't planned on giving you this for a while, but this seems like the time to do it" Twilight levitated the box and opened it, revealing a diamond ring. "Rarity Gemstone Belle, will you make me the happiest colt alive by agreeing to be my wife?"

Rarity was ignoring the words, and just looked at the ring. The diamond was small compared to the large gem she had found but still it was object that if she owned no-one else would. "IT'S MINE" she yelled and tried to levitate it towards her. However, it was already in Twilights aura and he placed it over her horn, fitting perfectly. The two unicorns eyes met and he leaned into her and gave the filly a kiss. As soon as their lips met, Rarity's mane colour instantly returned.

"Twilight? What's happened, where are we?"

Twilight explained what Discord had done to each of them, and how he had freed her from the curse by being generous towards her.

"Lets go...but before we do, why is there a ring...on my horn..and fitting perfectly?" Rarity asked, looking up at the ring.

Twilight scuffed the ground a little "Well, my act of generosity was to give you a ring I inherited. I hadn't planned to give it to you for quiet a while yet, and in very different circumstances. But it was an emergency"

"It's a horn ring...they are only for one thing?" she gasped "So...you wanted to marry...we're engaged?"

"Well, you didn't exactly say yes" Twilight laughed a little nervously "I just had to distract you enough to get you to notice me."

Rarity took Twilights face in her hoofs "Yes, my darling, yes I'll marry you!" and gave her fiancée another kiss. She then let go of the face and danced on her hooves "Ohhhhhhh, I'm engaged, I can't wait to tell my parents, and Sweetie Belle!"

Twilight looked at the happiness of his fiancée, but then snapped back to reality. "Rare's, the time to celebrate, and discuss the future, is later. We have to find the others and save Equestria!"

Rarity nodded in agreement, and grabbing a scarf, the pair left the boutique. Twilight headed towards Sugarcube corner "I think I know how to get our Pinkie Pie back"

Quickly reaching the bakery on the other side of the market, Twilight burst in followed by Rarity. Pinkie was in the kitchen like she normally would be, but rather then baking something sweet she was just cleaning the cooker.

"Hello Pinkie Pie" Twilight and Rarity chirped together

"Oh great, what do you want?" The usually happy pony replied

"Well, we have some news that I think will make you happy, so happy that you'll no doubt you'll sing" Twilight responded, ignoring the unnatural hostility.

"Happy? I don't think so! And singing, Is that all you think I do?

"I asked Rarity to marry me..."

"...and I said yes!" Rarity finished with a flourish, flashing the ring in the light.

Pinkie looked at the happy couple, and very quickly her various shades of pink infused her body and mane, and she started bouncing around singing

"To a very special couple, Who make a perfect pair

This news brings me happiness, In the future you will share

It wasn't long ago you met, but you've shared much love and laughter

May your Engagement make you, Happy Ever After"

She ended with a big laugh and equally big hug round the pair of unicorns "Oh you guys, what happened? Last thing I remember we were lost in Canterlot's maze"

"No time to lose, follow us to Fluttershy's cottage and we'll explain on the way" Twilight said, already heading out of the door

***

Discord found himself back in Canterlot Castle, in an epic battle with Celestia and Luna. Actually, it wasn't a battle at all as the Princesses were powerless to stop him. They were on one side of the throne room throwing magic blasts at him which he simply dodged and threw custard pies back at them, most of them hitting them. He found the two prior rulers of the kingdom, and former captors, covered in pie very amusing causing him to completely forget where he had been and how he had arrived.

The two princesses knew the battle was pointless without the Elements of Harmony under their control. But Discords sudden appearance in the castle had Twilight's Aura round him, rather then his more audible pop, which made them think their student had sent Discord there to get some time. And despite being splattered by lots of pies, they knew if they could keep him distracted long enough it may just be enough...

***

It took about fifteen minutes for the trio to reach Flutter-cottage at the edge of town, where they found Fluttershy wandering around pushing animals into the mud, shaking them out of trees and generally being mean towards the critters she usually cared for.

"Oh Fluttershy, I'm so glad we found you" Pinkie shouted and ran towards her friend for a hug.

Fluttershy saw the earth pony approaching and side stepped at the last minute, tripping Pinkie over into a chocolate milk puddle.

"Awww, that was just mean" Rarity gasped "But we have exciting news"

"Oh, boo hoo. You think I care about your news?

"Maybe not, but I thought you would like to know that me and Twilight have decided to get married"

"So what" Fluttershy spat, whilst throwing a mud clot towards Rarity.

Twilight stopped the mud from hitting Rarity who looked towards her friend and said "Well, I would love for you to be my mare of honour"

Fluttershy stopped as she was about to push Pinkie over again, and turned towards Rarity in a state of shock

"I know you don't have any brothers or sisters which you could be a mare of honour or best mare for, so I thought you could be mine. Sweeties too young..."

Rarity stopped halfway through her sentence seeing a tear form in Fluttershy's eye "That's so...kind!" the pegasus blubbered out as her yellow body and pink mane slowly infused. The four of them ended up in a group hug, and quickly started galloping towards Sweet Apple Acres, explaining everything to Fluttershy on the way...

***

Discord had grown bored of the pie fight, and instead decided to get some revenge on the sisters. He had taken away the alicorns wings and horns, as without the elements they were as helpless as all the other ponies. He was riding Luna around the throne room like the ponies had to suffer in the dark times. Luna had tried to buck him off, but without magic she had quickly tired and Discord magically kept Celestia's hoofs out of reach.

Discord took great delight mocking Celestia that she wasn't able to protect her little sister, and relishing the tears coming from the pair of royal eyes. I'll get you for this Celestia vowed with a sense of hatred in her eyes that Luna had not seen for a long time, not even in the moment before her banishment to the moon...

***

Applejack was sat at the farm eating apples and saw the four ponies approaching who slowed to a trot and waved.

"Hi Applejack, it's great to see you" Fluttershy called out

"I can't see you" Applejack responded with shifty eyes

"Well, we just come over to tell you something...well, show you something really" Twilight laughed

"Yeah, notice anything different about me" Rarity asked, making the ring glisten in the starlight (the days were currently lasting about 10 minutes thanks to Discords control)

"I don't notice anything different about you Rarity" Applejack lied, but his eyes stayed transfixed on the ring

"Really?" Fluttershy giggled

"Nope" Applejack lied, but his eyes stayed focused on the ring.

"Are you suuurrreeee" Pinkie purred, seeing a battle taking place between the lying curse and the farmers eyes

"Heck no...wait there sure is something different. If ma eyes don't deceive me, I could swear that is a horn ring"

"It is" Twilight laughed and pulled rarity into a shoulder hug "We're engaged. Sorry that we hadn't told everypony about our special friendship, but we were frightened by what would happen. But we shouldn't be scared of the truth!"

The colour came flooding back to the earth pony's body as she came running over and shock Twilights hoof, followed by a quick hug of the bride to be "That's great news u'all, lying gets nopony nowhere. Wait, where are we?"

Twilight explained what happened for the fourth time that day, as the five of them sat down and started planning how to track down Rainbow Dash.

***

Back at the castle, Discord had grown bored of riding the royal sisters and instead had started confusing the royal guard by disguising himself as Celestia or Luna and giving them orders trying to get Celestia's Dayguard and Luna's Nightguard fighting. The royal sisters, still stripped of their powers, allowed him to continue just hoping he would remain distracted for long enough Hurry up Twilight Sparkle, you're our only hope!

***

The five friends plan to capture Rainbow Dash had not exactly gone to plan. Fluttershy was pulling the Hot-Air Balloon with Applejack and Twilight as fast as she could. But despite pulling Rarity and Pinkie along by a hoof, Rainbow was escaping. Twilight Sparkle saw Rainbow moving away faster and yelled to Fluttershy "If you can't catch him, Discord wins!"

Fluttershy was running out of energy and she was started to tear up from the effort "I just can't do it" she yelped.

Twilight had to think fast, and seeing his new finance in peril spurred him on. Doing any magic to slow down Dash would be too dangerous, lest all three ponies fell, but he was running out of ideas and time. I'm sorry my love, I don't know what to do he thought sadly with his eyes shut.

Twilight, is that you?

Rares, you can hear me?

Yes, and you me? Is this a telepathy spell?

No, not deliberately. Anyway, I think I have a plan to slow down Rainbow Dash... and Twilight told Rarity his plan.

Opening his eyes, Twilight took a deep breath for he didn't like what he was about to say "Well Fluttershy, I guess your best isn't good enough" causing Fluttershy to start crying heavily, causing her to slow down further.

Rarity, who had closed her eyes out of fear, looked up at Rainbow Dash "Oh Dashie Darling, you do release that you're hurting one of your fellow Pegasi, don't you?"

Rainbow didn't look down "What do you mean, unicorn?"

Rarity smiled "Well, look at the Pegasus filly behind you"

Rainbow took a quick glance back and saw the yellow pegasus chasing him had slowed down. He turned round and flew back. He noticed the fellow Pegasus was flying in a depressed manner, and he could hear sobbing. He slowed down and flew next to Fluttershy. "Why are you sad, Pegasus. I saved Cloudsdale, see!" he boasted pointing to the small cloud he was carrying.

Fluttershy looked up at Rainbow, meeting his gaze and meekly said "Maybe, but you've lost your friendships!"

"A Wonderbolt needs no friends!' The colt boasted, effortlessly flying whilst striking a pose"

Fluttershy put her best puppy dog eyes on "Not even a friendship as old as ours?"

Rainbow looked at the feeble flyer in-front of him Why do I need a poor flyer like her as a friend...she would hold me back from being a Wonderbolt...she would hold me back from training...she would hold me, no *did hold me, when I was sad and injured*

All the colours of the Rainbow came flooding back to the colt, and he shook his head "Dear Fluttershy, why are you crying? What are you other guys doing here? Wait, what am I doing here, weren't we in Canterlot?"

Fluttershy and Rainbow helped land the balloon whilst the situation was explained this time by Rarity, Twilight busy apologising to Fluttershy for being mean and it was only to get Dash's attention. Rarity also couldn't help but show off her engagement ring to Rainbow, leading to a congratulatory hug as well as a hoof-bumps between Twilight and his colt friends.

***

Landing back on the ground, Twilight teleported the Elements from where they had been discarded earlier back to their rightful owners. "Here you go friends, here are your necklaces of the Elements, and my big crown thingy"

"Its a tiara darling, no point denying it" Rarity teased.

"Oh, what do you know" Twilight laughed, the six ponies spirits back to their usual selves.

"When it comes to any item of pony-wear, trust me when I say I know more then you or your books ever will" she giggled back.

As soon as the friends had started putting on their necklaces or tiara (not noticing that some of them were glowing already), Discord back in the Canterlot castle sensed the power building back in Ponyville. He teleported himself back to see what was going on and  as soon as he materialised he released that the elements were already being powered. He tried to stop them, but Twilight had generated a forcefield to protect the bearers.

"Oh, you think that your Friendship is going to overpower the Master of Chaos" Discord laughed evilly "Try your best!"

Twilight glared at the Draconequus "All right, ladies and gentlecolts, let's show him what friendship - " with a turn towards Rarity " - and love can do!"

The elements glowed brighter and brighter then ever, before shooting a rainbow arch towards the foe. Discord was quickly overcome by the power and slowly started turning to stone. Powerless to stop them, he just put on a dramatic pose "All good things must come to an end". As soon as Discord had been completely turned to stone, the rainbow turned into a ball of power that exploded outwards like a sonic Rainbow.

As the power of the Elements subsided, the bearers noticed that Ponyville had turned back to how it was before. Almost instantly Celestia and Luna appeared, returned to their Alicorn status. Before the six friends had a chance to bow, the Princesses bowed to the savers of their kingdom "Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack - your friendship has saved Equestria yet again!"

Celestia and Luna looked over the fallen statue of their foe and tormentor, the anger still in their eyes, and nodded to each other "He must not be allowed to escape again" Celestia declared

"How can you stop that, Princess?" Twilight asked

"The combined power of Applejack and the rest of us should be able to see to that"

Applejack was a little startled "Ma Power? What, telling the truth? Or apple bucking...oh, I see"

Celestia nodded very seriously and the eight ponies surrounded the statue, stretching their hind legs. On a count of three, they all gave a powerful buck resulting in a large cracking sound. Turning round, Celestia looked over the shattered remains of the statute with a satisfying smirk and turned back to the Bearers "We must go and check in with all the Major cities, but we will have to honour you again as soon as possible"

"Farewell dear saviours, may you have pleasant dreams" Luna added with a smile, and the Royal sisters flew off towards Manehattan together, sharing a smile at noticing Rarity's new horn ring More of the prophecy has come true

As soon as the Princesses disappeared, Twilight laughed and he nuzzled Rarity muzzle publicly infront of their friends for the first time "So love saved the whole of Equestria? I bet that never happens again!"