Balance within Harmony

It was the night before the Grand Galloping Gala, the last celebration of the year before winter sets in and the Hearth Warming season starts, which seems to get longer and more commercial each year. The Manehattan to Canterlot, via Ponyville, sleeper service was winding it's way through the countryside. Six ponies, and their dragon friend, had boarded at Ponyville and were settling down for the night in their private eight pony sleeper carriage - six bunks for the ponies, one for Spike and one to carry all their language (80% of which was Rarity's).

They had decided to travel up the night before so they could make the most of the trip, staying in Canterlot Castle overnight. It was the suggestion of Luna who had yet to thank them for saying her from Nightmare Moon, and it suited a young pairing plans perfectly...

***

A week before the Gala Rarity had insisted that her five friends came over for final adjustments to their outfits. They were due to meet at three in the afternoon, but Twilight had arrived a little earlier so they could talk. He arrived with a smile on his face although also a little sadness in his eyes.

Twilight explained to Rarity that as the Princess's Personal Protege, he would be expected to spend all night with the Princesses. Of course he loved spending time with Celestia and couldn't wait to catch up with his favourite teacher, but wasn't happy that he wasn't going to be able to enjoy the Gala with Rarity. But duty called and Twilight took his duties as seriously as his brother in the Royal Guard, or as seriously as Rarity took her outfits.

"That's Okay" Rarity cooed back "I completely understand darling"

"But there is some great news which I received today" Twilight demeanor picked up "I asked the Princesses if the six of us could travel up the day before and spend the day before and after the gala staying in Canterlot Castle..."

"Canterlot Castle?" Rarity interrupted with a dreamy look.

"...and they agreed!" Twilight continued, already familiar with the interruptions whenever he talked about Canterlot, Princesses or pretty much anything outside Ponyville "So we can spend some time together before and after the gala"

Rarity started shaking a little "You mean, I get to spend some time in Canterlot?"

"Yes, with your personal travel-guide...me!"

"Oh, the best pony to spend in the best place!" Rarity gave her colt-friend a hug. "But...what should I do at the gala? Can't I spend at least some of the time with you?"

Twilight thought deeply "Well, perhaps if we had been together longer I could ask the Princess, but I don't think it's appropriate this year?"

"And I suppose the others would either be jealous, or realise that we were more then friends?"

"What would you have done if we weren't together?" Twilight asked innocently "I doubt you would have been selling food! Well, I hope not, do you know how hard it was to get Applejack that permit?"

Rarity thought hard "Well, either schmooze some of the fashionable ponies, or..." she paused and look a little sheepish "...probably try to flirt with Royalty"

"Well, that's perfect" Twilight seemed delighted, until he saw the shocked look on Rarity's face "I mean, spending time with Royalty would be a great introduction to Canterlot High-society for when..." he paused a second "I mean IF, we ever move back there...together" he finished looking down at his hoofs.

Rarity seemed a little shocked "Oh my, Twi, you think about that sort of thing?" she asked with flourish of eyelash flutters.

Twilight thought about the long check-list for the relationship he had prepared, covering the next decade "Well, I always plan ahead..." he started, rubbing the back of his head nervously.

Before the conversation could get more awkward for the for forward thinking colt, the shop bell rung as Fluttershy had turned up for her fitting, shortly followed by their three other friends. Phew, dodged that one Twilight thought to himself.

During the long Dress and Tuxedo tailoring session, they discussed the upcoming Gala and the visit to Canterlot. Twilight promised each of them a personal tour of whichever part of the city they wanted, as it was the only way he could guarantee time alone with Rarity. Luckily the others were happy to pool their time together to visit the main sights, leaving Rarity to ask for a personal tour of the fashion centre, something she knew none of the other friends were interested in.

The conversation then turned to the Gala. Twilight explained his royal duties and also confirmed to a delighted Applejack that he had the pitch permit. Fluttershy softly but excitedly declared that she would be aiming to meet all the night critters, whilst Rainbow Dash was going to hang with the Wonderbolts, having been invited after saving them at the Young Fliers Competition. The attention then turned to the seamstress busy putting the final touches to Fluttershy's dress.

"Oh me? Well, I'm going to track down Prince Blueblood. I'm sure when he sees me, in my dress, he's bound to fall hopelessly in love with me!" Rarity was putting on her best fake smile hoping for a distraction.

"And I'm going to tear up the dancefloor, wooo" the pink party pony announced, moonwalking past her friends. Rarity could swear she had seen a hidden crowbar in Pinkie's cotton-candy mane but decided it was best not to ask, being grateful for the diversion.

***

As Luna's night fell on the train, Rarity and Twilight both lay in their separate bunk beds, regretting that they hadn't yet made their relationship public so they could have spent more time together in Canterlot. They could have cuddled each other this night but on the coldness of the carriage that night the cuddle would have been for warmth rather than tenderness.

Applejack had just about finished warming up the bed and blankets and was close to sleep, when suddenly he found Pinkie snuggled in bed next to him Sweet Celestia, how did she get in here through the sheets?

"Erm, Hey Pinkie, this ain't you're bunk" he whispered to the filly suddenly intertwined with his body, a tad nervously.

"It's too cold over there, you're nice and warm" was the softly spoken reply from the yawning earth filly

"In that case Sugarcube, couldn't you share with one of the others?"

Pinkie shifted slightly on the bed "Have YOU tried sleeping with a Pegasus - its super awkward because of the wings just get in the way. Twilight might just accidently teleport me off the train or something in his sleep being so powerful, and Rarirty...well, can you image somepony else being allowed to touch her sheets?"

Applejack looked over Pinkie to the bottom bunk opposite where Rarity was somehow lying in a bed without a single noticeable bump or crinkle in the sheets or pillow.

"Well, that certainly is the honest truth" Applejack laughed

"So that leaves you silly. Besides, don't you want to sleep with me?" Pinkie asked with the most innocent inflection in her voice.

"But, you know, a colt and a filly..." Applejack paused, looked over the peaceful pony lying in his hoofs and sighed "That's okay Pinkie, I don't mind sharing warmth with you! Goodnight"

Pinkie just snuggled further into Applejack's body, almost as thank you, and the two Earth ponies spent a peaceful night sleeping in each others arms.

***

The next morning Applejack woke up by the announcement that they were ten minutes outside of Canterlot Station. Applejack yawned and opened his eyes to find four pairs of Pegasus and Unicorn eyes staring at him. Suddenly the night before came flashing back to mind, but he then noticed that his friends were trying to stifle laughter.

"So AJ" Rainbow asked with a smirk "Do you always snuggle up to a pillow like that?"

Applejack looked down and found a pillow hugged close to his body where Pinkie had been, before noticing Pinkie stretching out on her bunk. "Absolutely not, I was cold dat's all" I must have dreamt last night, that's a relief

"Oh really?" Fluttershy laughed with a softness in her eyes "Are you sure you don't want my teddy bear next time?"

Pinkie suddenly chirped up "Leave Applejack alone! Us earth ponies don't have your pegasus wings to keep warm, or your freaky horn magic to warm up. We have to make do with what we can." she declared sitting down, crossing her front hooves almost aggressively.

The others took this at face value, apologised, and started getting their stuff ready to disembark. Applejack went over to Pinkie who was packing up in rapid movements "Thanks for bailing me out back there!"

"No problem, snuggle buddy!" came the response from Pinkie, somehow appearing in two places at once.

Realising that last night did in fact happen, Applejack's cheeks went as red as his cutie mark and he quickly adjusted his Stetson to cover his face.

Arriving at Canterlot Station, they got off the train to note a contingent of Royal Guards trotting towards them. They introduced themselves to Twilight Sparkle and Spike who they reconsigned, and explained the Princesses had sent them to escort them to the Castle, along with any language. This had seen like an easy assignment, until they noticed the amount of luggage next to one of the unicorns.

As the dozen ponies, one with a dragon riding on his back, made there way through Canterlot, Twilight and Spike gave a audio tour of the places they passed - Twilight focusing on the history, Spike the best places to get snacks. The five friends oohed and ahh'd a little, but that was nothing from the gasp elicited from when the Royal Palace came into sight, nor when the outer doors were opened allowing them in.

They were led up towards one of the towers and had to climb many steps to the top much to the strain of the guards carrying luggage. At the top was a large room with seven beds set up, each distinctive decorated for each pony and a smaller one for Spike next to Twilights. Books lined many shelves, and the ceiling was painted like the night sky.

"Ahhh, my old room" Twilight sighed, happy at being back in his old digs.

"This is perfect" Rarity coed almost fainting at the thought of staying in the Royal Castle, much to Twilights delight When, I mean if, we move back here, I get to live here? was a delightful thought in the back of Rarity's mind.

Pinkie had already dived onto her pink bed and was jumping up and down when she turned towards the door "Oh, Hi Princess!"

As the other ponies turned round, Celestia landed in the doorway, causing them all to curtsey or salute as appropriate except pinkie who did a salute whilst backflipping, a significant hmour in Pinkie's mind. Celestia dismissed the guards, welcomed the Bearers and explained that she was too busy to spend much time with them today as she was preparing the Gala. But her and Luna would be happy to have a brunch with them tomorrow. Twilight thanked the Princess and Celestia flew off to sort out the catering.

***

It was an hour before the Gala and the seven guests were all getting ready. The morning and early afternoon had been spent as a group touring Canterlot, before they had returned for an afternoon nap.

The colts and Spike were ready - They were wearing special Tuxedo's, and despite not being fashionista s had to admit Rarity had outdone herself to make them unique to each of them. Twilights had subtle star charts in the weave, Rainbows was as outlandish as his mane, whilst Applejacks looked like a professional sales-pony, albeit one with an apple shaped bow-tie. The fillies were doing each others manes and make-up, with Fluttershy's taking the longest due to the subtleness required to make the most of her delicate features.

After what seemed like an eternity to the waiting males, the seven made their way down the tower to find themselves right at the beginning of the walkway into the Gala. The bouncers gave them a nod and they started their grand entrance. Spike led the way, in-between Twilight and Rarity who's outfits were matching regal styling. They were followed came Applejack and Fluttershy, in similar natural/earth themed outfits, with Rainbow and Pinkie at the rear, both in a more garish outfits. They were all so happy they started to hum a tune...

After an impromptu group song with associated flash-mob of hundreds of ponies singing and dancing in time, they entered the Gala and all went there own ways, Twilight and Rarity with a heavy heart.

***

The next morning they all woke up, and started their morning exercise/beauty regimes. They were all thinking back to last night, and were a little nervous over what was going to happen at brunch.

Twilight had found Princess Celestia greeting ponies, and after a quick welcoming wing hug, Twilight had started shaking hooves alongside the Princess. However, he quickly realised he had forgotten that it had been a few month since he had cast the Alicorn Attraction Avoidance spell and it had worn off. Spending a few minutes next to Celestia was bad enough, but all night was going to be murder. Sensing his discomfort, Celestia had no choice but ask Luna telepathically to join them, just to make his discomfort twice as large. Despite the allure of two Alicorns, Twilight had somehow managed not to burst into flames during the evening. But having forgotten to cast the spell, which he probably would have been expected to use, he was worried what his mentors would make of his attraction to them.

Surprisingly, Fluttershy had started the real chaos of the evening. Having not been able to use her special gift to attract the Canterlot animals to her, she had came over with Flutterage and scared all the animals, causing them to stampede into the main hall. The hall was already disrupted from Pinkie trying to get everypony dancing The Pony Pokey, but of course Canterlot's elite weren't looking to have that sort of fun.

Now, that wouldn't have been so bad if not at exactly the same time Applejack was wheeling in a massive and tall apple-cake. The animals knocked over the cake and Rainbow had tried to stop it falling onto the other ponies, in order to impress the Wonderbolts. However, being a cake rather then a solid object he usually caught, Rainbow accidently flew into the cake, causing it to explode outwards over everypony in the room. With the guest anger raising, the four Ponyville residents beat a hasty retreat out of the hall, looking for Twilight and Rarity.

Rarity had had the worse night though - she had approached Prince Blueblood to get to know a member of Royalty. However, Blueblood was a bit of a mares colt, and was used to taking advantage of the young fillies who courted him. Finding Rarity the most attractive filly at the Gala, he had flirted with her all night, acting like a spoilt and over-confident idiot. Of course Rarity couldn't turn him down, but when he had felt inside Rarity's dress with his magic, she had slapped him and called him out in-front of the Canterlot elite.

Celestia had seen Rarity run towards them from one side, and four ponies covered in cake being chased by animals the other side. "Run" Celestia had suggested to Twilight, and grabbing Spike in his telekinesis, the seven of them had run as quick as possible back to the tower, leaving the chaos of a ruined Gala and a embarrassed cousin behind for the Princesses to sort out. They had locked the door and not even looked outside all night, worried over ruining the Gala.

***

The clock tower rung a quarter to eleven and the bearer six (and Spike who didn't know what all the fuss was about) knew they had to go and meet the Princesses for brunch. Very sheepishly they headed outside and slowly across to the Royal Breakfast rooms. Nopony seemed to be paying any attention to them, which they couldn't work out if that was a good thing or a bad sign. Reaching the Royal Chambers, they entered the room to find a tired looking Celestia and Luna already drinking tea.

"Good Morning, My Little Ponies" Luna pronounced a little too cheerfully for the ponies liking.

"Good Morning Princesses. I would like to begin by apologising in full for last.." Twilight stopped mid sentence as Celestia had raised a hoof.

"No need to apologise, it was one of the best Gala's we ever had" the ruler said with a massive smile, with Luna nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, they were never this fun a thousand years ago" the night princess added, munching on some toast.

The six ponies breathed a huge sigh of relief and joined Spike in helping themselves to some brunch. The conversation was full of fun and the Princesses teased them all about the relevant chaos they had caused, except Twilight of course. About halfway through brunch, a Royal guard came bursting into the room, startling them all. Before Celestia had a chance to ask what warranted the interruption to the Royal Brunch, the Guard exclaimed some words that caused a look of shock on the Princesses faces.

"Discord, he has escaped!"

***

They all quickly run across the castle to the main throne room, Celestia and Luna explaining the situation on the way. Twilight, nor any of the other Bearers, had seen the Princesses look worried before. The Princesses explained that the lack of their connection to Elements of Harmony would have caused Discords prison to weaken, and the chaos the night before had set free the Master of Chaos. The young ponies had felt like it was their fault but Luna explained much like Nightmare's return, it was foretold to have happened at some point.

Arriving in only a few minutes, Celestia and Luna went over to a wall safe, and entered their horns to unlock it. Inside was supposed to be a chest containing the Elements of Harmony, but all it contained was a note. Celestia read out the letter from Discord who had hidden the elements and given them a riddle to solve, along with some rules. The main rule was that if Celestia or Luna left the castle building, Discord would use his power to push the sun and moon away from Equestria, permanently. The second was that flying or magic was forbidden to recover the elements. The third was Dragons weren't allowed to take part, and suddenly Spike was teleported all the way back to Ponyville.

The ponies considered the riddle, and decided the elements must be hidden inside the Royal Hedge-maze. They run quickly to the maze, but the moment they stepped in they were magically transported away from each other. They shouted out that they should all meet in the middle, and the six ponies all cheered that together as friends they were unstoppable!

Twilight had managed to find his way to the centre of the maze first, where he found Discord waiting for him. Discord tried to tempt Twilight to turn with the Dark-side by sharing his chaos magic powers with the colt, but Twilight was having any of it!

"Together, we can rule Equestria!" the Draconequus declared to the Lavender pony, who was struggling to resisting using his magic on the enemy taunting him.

"No way Discord, good will always overcome evil!"

"The others have given up, why won't you? You're an impossibly stubborn pony"

"I don't trust a word you say"

"Oh. Well, you may not trust me, but you you're not prepared for what awaits you"

With that he disappeared, and the five other bearers entered the centre clearing from five different tunnels. Twilight gasped as he saw them, as each had lost most of the colour in their bodies and manes, and were all acting crazy! Fluttershy was acting mean towards the others, Pinkie had straight hair and was grumpy, Rainbow kept looking at the clouds, Applejack was lying about everything and his beloved Rarity was rolling a dirty big rock claiming it was a diamond.

Suddenly, Rainbow declared he had had enough and needed to save Cloudsdale. Before they could stop him he flew off, breaking Discords second rule. No sooner had this happened then the ponies were magically Teleported back to what was left of Ponyville, where Discord explained they had lost. Discord had turned the town upside down, sometimes literally, which gave Twilight an idea of where the elements were Discord managed to move them, but not actually know where they are!. He run back to his Library and found the elements of harmony in his diary, the real answer to the riddle.

Twilight had gathered the four remaining Bearers and persuade them to try activating the Elements. But without Rainbow Dash they couldn't, and as soon as they failed the other four ponies left, leaving a disheartened Twilight alone with Discord.

With his friends and his lover abandoning him, Discords discouraging words started having an effect and as Twilight trudged back to his Treehouse Library the colour started to drain from his mane "I guess there is nothing left for me here..."