The Triumph of Harmony

A dark blot appeared against the backdrop of the morning bringer of warmth and light. It steadily grew larger, materialising into an obsidian-black carriage drawn by the Royal Lunar Guard, resplendent in their umbra amour.

Everypony froze, absorbed in the grand entrance of the Princess of the Night. Her chariot hovering above the teleportation clearing, Princess Luna jumped from on high, landing with a firm footing. The ponies in the immediate vicinity bowed low, offering their respects.

Luna viewed the scene in front of her, before saying, "My little ponies, thou art most gracious, but please continue with thy tasks, we're sure thou art engaged in vital work for Equestria."

She walked over to the tent bearing her sister's cutie mark.

"Your highness, thank you for gracing us with your presence," said the General, bowing.

"It is most pleasing to make your acquaintance, General. We have heard of your resolve to protect all Equestria's citizens, your exploits mirroring that will. We are honoured," replied Luna, returning the gesture.

"You are too kind, Princess," said General Savior.

A shadow of a smile passed over her face. "I'm afraid, General, that we are unable to assist at this moment in time. Thou hath my full trust to continue with thy work. Our goal is to find the Ponyville ponies, hast thou met with them?"

"Why yes, your highness, they arrived yesterday morning, and were given their assignments."

"I see. If thou happens to come by one of them, please tell them to see us, we have urgent news." She paused, her vision becoming momentarily distant before focusing on the city. "Would it be pleasing if we were to travel into the city?"

"By all means, Princess, your presence will definitely improve morale," he agreed wholeheartedly. "I will be here if you need any assistance."

Luna nodded her head, saying her goodbyes. She started to advance towards the metropolis, but was halted by a low rumbling. An involuntary shiver slithered down her spine.

By the stars, it cannot be, she thought, the roar growing ever louder. The ground started to tremble, enhancing in intensity with every passing second.

An aftershock of great size struck the downed city like a viper. Buildings that had withstood the first quake were flattened with the ease of a giant laying waste.

Cries could barely be heard over the din of the multiple collapses. Teams of earth ponies and unicorns, who had been clearing rubble near the command centre galloped to safety.

Luna upped her pace to a dash, charging forward. She exerted her magic in an awesome display, tendrils of her essence wrapping around falling debris, giving ponies on the outskirts time to escape.

Pegasi flying overhead performed daring manoeuvres of skill and bravery, extracting some ponies before they were harmed.

"To us!" she hollered, employing the Royal Canterlot Voice to its full extent as she struggled to maintain her magic. Wave after wave rattled through. Luna stood steadfast, hoping fervently that the inner-city ponies were okay.

***

Fluttershy and Applejack had woken up early on the morning of Luna's arrival. They had, without disturbing the sleeping ponies, stepped outside to marvel at the morning shadows cast by the ruins.

They weren't alone for long, however, as the rest of the ponies began to wake, and proceed about their morning business. Uncle and Aunt Orange were greeted by the two as they joined them.

The Oranges bade them both a good morning, and enquired after their plans for the day.

"Well, ah reckon that ah could join one of 'em search parties, ya know," stated Applejack. "But first, ah know that ya don't have a home ta return ta. How would ya'll like to come live at Sweet Apple Acres?" She had given the issue some thought, she remembered the adversity they had displayed to farm life, but her conscience wouldn't allow her to abandon her family, even if nopony judged her for it.

Fluttershy's eyes shone with her smile as she admired the sincerity and kindness of the gesture.

"Oh my..." said Uncle Orange. "That is most generous of you, Applejack, but we wouldn't want to impose."

"Yes, dear, don't you worry about us, we will make do just fine," said Aunt Orange.

Applejack stomped her hoof. "No, it ain't an imposition an' besides you are mah family. No ways you ain't coming to Sweet Apple Acres with mah!"

Fluttershy agreed, "Oh yes... I do think that it is for the best."

The Oranges were city ponies, through and through. The thought of moving to the, as they put it, 'rustic countryside', was not pleasant. The couple simultaneously looked at the wrecked city, and then at each other. They both knew that their time in Manehattan had ended, their business crushed, and stocks irrecoverable. Maybe... it would be the best course of action to accept Applejack's offer, as opposed to being relocated to some alien locale, thought Aunt Orange. Her husband was riding a similar train of thought.

They realised that their niece had, in fact, given them a brighter future. Applejack's smile grew wider as they nodded, joyfully, her offer accepted.

Fluttershy suddenly felt a cold flush, and she looked around, rather uneasily.

"What's the matter, sugarcube?" asked Applejack.

Fluttershy gave a weak smile. "Oh... nothing really, Applejack, something just feels wrong," she explained, her sense of foreboding reaching new heights.

As if to justify her apprehension, the very ground itself began to quake and quiver.

There was a massively loud tearing sound as a gargantuan block of masonry fell, completely blocking off the path back to the tent. The four ponies were effectively trapped in the falling maelstrom.

Applejack, reacting instinctively, grabbed Fluttershy and cried, "Save yerself, hun, ya can get away!"

Fluttershy flinched. "No, I won't leave you here. I won't go." She stubbornly refused, her heart refused.

The Oranges were stunned, watching the world collapse around them for a second time.

"Fine!" cried Applejack before she thought of an idea. "Fluttershy, ya can fly! Ya can guide us ta a way outta this mess!"

"Oh, of course." Concurred Fluttershy. "I'll fly up and try to direct you." She flapped her wings, rising, and studied the scene before her. Waving she began to fly down the street.

Applejack nudged the Oranges, alerting them to the fact that they were following Fluttershy. They set off at a mad dash through the heaving streets.

With a speed that belied her reserved nature, Fluttershy time and again chose the safest route, being guided by some unknown force. If one had taken the time, which was not available, to scrutinise the cutie mark of the flying pegasus, it would have seemed almost as if the butterflies were also engaged in flight, shining iridescently.

The city shuddered not unlike a nightmarish phantom, looming over them.

Applejack, remembering vaguely the layout from her stay in Manehattan, realised that they were nearing the outskirts, and therefore, safety. "Keep it up, Fluttershy, we're nearly there!" she called encouragingly.

The Oranges, naturally reserved were even more so, all their focus directed to keeping up with the Ponyville mares.

Finally, they ran down the last collapsing street. Before them lay the jewel of the relief tents. They slowed down, flagging, and left the death trap behind them.

***

Rainbow Dash had woken up with the sun. Naturally not an early riser, the fact that the Wonderbolts woke up early forced her to do so too. A hasty breakfast ensued, all the pegasi eager to get back into the sky, to help.

Spitfire consulted an almanac, assigning her fellow flyers with tasks. She left Rainbow for last. "You're my wingpony today, Dash," she said, confidently. "Let's get going."

They had just exited when they felt the stirring of the soil. For a second Dash hoped that what she thought was happening, wasn't happening, however, catching sight of Spitfire's bleak visage, those hopes evaporated.

"It's an aftershock," called Spitfire as she took wing. "Split up and get ponies out of this chaos!" With a crackle of thunder and lightning, she was gone.

Rainbow shook her head, trying to absorb the gravity of the situation before taking off. "Right, time to save some ponies," she said, psyching herself up.

A rainbow could be seen criss-crossing above the quake-struck city. "Ugh! All this shaking— I can't see anypony!"

What sounded like a scream rose from the ruins. Rainbow perked her ears up, trying to determine its location. She whirled around wildly, searching. After what seemed, to her, as an eternity, she spotted a flash of emerald.

Mustering her agility she sped towards the pony. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Moments away from reaching that pony, an adjacent building collapsed in a flood of rubble.

The emerald flash had disappeared.

Rainbow ground to a violent halt, tears stinging her eyes. "I... I... I failed... that pony... she... he... I DON'T EVEN KNOW!"

Jettisoning straight up into the atmosphere, she fled, leaving a trail of tear-shaped droplets in her wake.

***

Twilight had spent an enlightening night with Trixie. They had conversed into the early hours of the morning, finding out, perhaps surprisingly, perhaps not, that they had a fair amount in common.

Feeling slightly sleep deprived, the mares did not rise with the sun. They were, though, in for a rude awakening.

Trixie wriggled restlessly, having been awoken by an unexpected rattling. She stood, bleary-eyed, and began to feel the shaking. "Twilight!" the showpony shouted. "Get up! It's another earthquake!"

The purple pony was jolted awake. "Huh? Trixie what..." She trailed off as she consciously felt the trembling of the wagon.

Trixie kicked open the door, jumped out, and magically levitated the stunned pony after her. She had been wise enough to position her wagon away from the buildings, so they weren't in any immediate danger.

Twilight's eyes were unnaturally dilated. Trixie couldn't tell whether her trembling was from the aftershock, or if Twilight was indeed trembling herself. One look at the dampening ground gave her an answer.

Crashing, banging, exploding, the city was chopped down. The cacophony assaulted Twilight's senses.

"Trixie, we need to help the ponies!" she cried, in a heart-wrenching tone.

Trixie shook her head, feeling terrible. "Twilight, there's nothing we can do..."

Twilight raged. "All those foals... HELP ME, TRIXIE!"

"Are you a complete fool? We can't challenge the Earth! Where are you going? Hey!" She forcefully tackled Twilight, as the irrational mare was running towards the city.

Twilight stood up, her mane waving in a fiery blaze, her cutie mark shining brighter than the known stars. "I. WILL. NOT. GIVE. UP."

Wave after wave of shocks hit the city, Twilight almost seemingly riding them. Motes of light sparkled around her. Her head raised, she channelled.

Trixie gaped, shocked at the physical manifestations of the unicorn's magic.

Impossible amounts of energy dancing within her horn, Twilight looked like a harbinger from old. The inexorable stride of time was slowed, warped by the vast outpouring of power.

All the lingering clouds above them were decimated as she released her spell. It spread like a Sonic Rainboom, the tinged purple-pink energy wave passing through everything in its path.

Trixie was knocked down under the direct force of the blast. Twilight, smoke billowing off her, fell, and lay unmoving.

"TWILIGHT!"

***

Pinkie Pie, drawing copious amounts of energy from sources unknown, was, naturally, the first awake, matching the already risen sun. It made sleep for the other ponies nigh impossible as the pink pony whirled this way and that.

She mercifully stopped for a moment. Worryingly, her expression grew much less beatific. Her body seemingly began to move of its own accord. She shuddered violently, her entire frame juddering.

"Oh no!" she cried. "My Pinkie Sense is telling me that a doozy is coming, right now!"

The semi-awake ponies were alarmed, growing more so as the earth on which they stood began to mimic the movements of the party pony.

The warning siren in the camp sounded, adding to the din of hollers and shouts. The tents were quickly emptied, all the inhabitants of the relief camp seeking the safety of the clearing.

Pinkie dashed out, joining the crowd of ponies, gazing, stricken, as the fallen city fell further. They could see ponies trying to escape with varying degrees of success. Some ponies needed to be restrained as they tried to dash into the metropolis. The group watched in horror as a chunk of masonry plummeted towards an auburn pony, distress evident on her face.

But on this day, she was destined to live. Sounds of wonder rose from the crowd. The debris was floating in the air, defying gravity. Pinkie gasped, recognising the bluish-black essence keeping the segment aloft.

A spirited cry summoning all the ponies could be heard. Pinkie also recognised that voice, and ran towards the Princess of the Night.

The strain was evident on Luna's face and posture, never before had she exerted herself by dividing her magic into so many different flows. Time flowed onwards, the fight continuing.

There was a great explosion, sending fountains of rubble in all directions. Her attention fully focused, she didn't see that one of the pieces was aimed directly at her.

Pinkie's tail started to twitch as she sped forwards. She was now close enough to see Luna's focus and, realising the predicament of the Alicorn, she broke into a no-holds-barred gallop. She heard the explosion, and threw herself bodily into the Princess.

Luna's concentration broke as she flew through the air, before crashing to a stop.

Dazedly rising, her face took on a shocked look as she realised that a mass of wreckage now occupied the spot where she had, moments ago, stood.

"Owie," Pinkie Pie groaned.

Luna helped her up. The roiling ground having returned to equilibrium. "That's twice now we hast thou to thank for saving us," said Luna. "We are forever in thy debt. We must commend thy bravery, Pinkie Pie."

"Oh, it was no problem, Luna. When I felt my tail going all twitchy I knew things were going to fall."

A quartet of dusty, weary ponies could be seen exiting the ruins. One in the air, the others firmly on the ground.

Pinkie gave another massive gasp before charging them. Luna watched her go, having seen that among the four were two more Element Bearers.

"Jackie! Fluttershy!" she gleefully shouted. "You're safe! I was so worried 'cause I saw you run off into the ruins, and I was all like, 'hmm... I wonder where they are going', then I went off to do my thing, and then when I woke up this morning the ground was all shaky shake shake and—"

"Ah'm glad to see ya too, Pinkie." Interrupted Applejack.

"Yes, Pinkie, it's good that you didn't go into Manehattan," said Fluttershy.

The baker then saw the Oranges, and gasped again.

"Are you Applejack's aunt and uncle?" Pinkie asked, grinning and hopping towards them. "I'm so glad that AJ found you, she was very worried, the silly, I told her everything would be fine."

"My yes, dear, we are that. Excuse us for the reticence, this morning has been rather rough," Aunt Orange said.

"Okie dokie lokie!"

Applejack turned to Fluttershy and gave her an extremely thankful look. "Fluttershy, ah am so proud of ya. Ya saved me and mah family." The orange mare hugged the pegasus.

"Oh... thank you, Applejack. I'm glad that we all made it out safely. Your faith allows me to be a better pony," said Fluttershy, returning the hug, a blush forming on her face.

Without warning, a wave of powerful magic, visible in its potency, and tinged with purple and pink, washed over the entire city and tent camp.

Many a pony bore a puzzled expression.

A few blinks later, there was a loud clap as a pony bearing a cape and showy hat teleported into the clearing. She was not alone; sprawled across her back lay Ponyville's librarian, unmoving, unconscious.

Fluttershy watched as Trixie glanced around, wildly, calling for help. Princess Luna ran towards her, and they shared a conversation, gesturing at Twilight. Luna finally nodded, and the two, with Twilight in tow, made their way to the infirmary.

She felt a nudge at her side. Applejack gave her a very concerned look. "Fluttershy, ah think something's wrong with Twilight! Let's go talk ta that Trixie! Why in tarnation is she even here? Aunt an' Uncle Orange, ya wouldn't mind if ah go see mah friend?"

"Please, Applejack, don't worry about us. Go right ahead," said Uncle Orange.

The duo dashed off, Pinkie trailing behind.

Trixie caught sight of the three Ponyville ponies heading her way, and sighed. Here we go, she thought.

Applejack rounded on her. "Alright, missy, what's wrong with Twilight an' why were ya with her?"

"Yeah, why would Twilight hang-out with a fakey fake like you?" Pinkie asked interrogatively, inexplicably shining a spotlight on the unicorn.

Fluttershy timidly added. "If you don't mind us asking, that is."

Trixie indignantly said, "Trixie was with Twilight because she interrupted Trixie's show. Also Trixie had nothing to do with her condition. The fool cast some sort of spell, but she channelled too much magic, and was knocked unconscious."

Fluttershy squeaked, drawing their attention. The two gave her a curious, but expectant, look. "Um... I think that Twilight may have used a regeneration spell, which she told me about earlier. She said that it made healing faster."

Trixie was, needless to say, stunned. "Trixie can see how that would work; it would most definitely be very draining on oneself."

Applejack responded, "So, what yer saying is that Twilight cast this spell to make everypony heal faster? What made her do that?"

"All Trixie will say is that she was unable to handle the thought of ponies perishing."

Fluttershy attempted to hide behind her mane. Applejack gave Trixie a cold look.

Nopony had yet noticed, but Pinkie's normally bouncy hair had become arrow-straight. Unusually reserved, she didn't take part in the conversation.

At that moment, Nurse Redheart, who was also from Ponyville, exited the infirmary, regarding them. "She is stable for now, and we are monitoring her condition. A magic discharge that large could have very well have killed her. The Princess is helping her greatly. I'll inform you if there is any change. For now, please do not hold your conversation in the entrance."

She left.

They moved their conversation.

Fluttershy noticed Pinkie's repressed behaviour, and, leaving the other two to continue to argue, she asked, "Pinkie, are you alright? You seem so quiet."

Pinkie ground at the earth with her hoof. "I didn't have my party..." she whispered.

Fluttershy strained to hear her. "I'm sorry, Pinkie, could you, um, please repeat that."

"I wanted to have a party for all the Manehattan ponies, but... but... the ponies that are missing... they can't come. I couldn't make them happy..." She sobbed, despondently.

Fluttershy placed a comforting wing around her. "Shush, Pinkie, you've done a great job of making everypony happy. Don't dwell on such dark thoughts. It's not your fault."

She remembered what Rainbow Dash had told them about Pinkie, on the day of her birthday, the day of her breakdown. Fluttershy then said, "Pinkie, you know that everypony love your parties, if you're sad, many other ponies will be sad too. You are a beacon of joy in these times of difficulty, and ponies look to you to find the laughter in this world, however elusive it may be."

"Me? Uh-huh, laughter is my virtue, and if there are still sad ponies in this world, I must continue! Thanks, Fluttershy. Those animals were really silly not to love you," said Pinkie Pie, her mane regaining some of its lost body.

Fluttershy winced at the mention of the fiasco that was her attempt to ingratiate herself with the animals of Canterlot castle. She had long ago deemed her behaviour in that instance, unacceptable, but she did have her doubts. Is it too much to ask that I receive real kindness, rather than sympathy, empathy or pity? Just as Pinkie inspires laughter, do I inspire kindness?

She started when her vision was filled with Pinkie's visage. "Yes, and you bring the world into bloom," she said, quickly tucking a stunning flame-coloured feather into the mare's pink mane.

Glancing at the feather, Fluttershy realised that it was her gift from Philomeena, the phoenix. She gazed at the febrile pony, incredulously, briefly trying to understand how Pinkie managed the things that she did, but then she merely smiled and nodded, thankfully. Fluttershy realised that kindness begets kindness, it having a myriad of forms and ways of expression.

The heated argument between the other two mares drew their attention as it escalated.

"So ya just let Twilight go ahead an' nearly kill herself!" shouted Applejack.

"Trixie did not just let her cast the spell! Trixie couldn't do anything!" She glanced sadly at the tent which held the valiant unicorn. "Trixie is leaving—"

"Fine! Git!"

Fluttershy placed a hoof on Applejack's side, and slowly shook her head.

Applejack softened. "Trixie... uh, thanks, ya know, fer bringing Twilight back."

Trixie smiled forlornly. "Tell Twilight... Tell her that Trixie is sorry." Her horn glowed and she was gone, motes of dust swirling in her place.

Luna, having attended to Twilight by repairing some of the physical damage and replenishing part of her magic reserve, left the infirmary. She approached the mares, saying, "It brings us great joy to see thee safe and sound."

"Princess Luna!" they jointly said, bowing to her.

"Princess, just the pony ah wanted ta see," said Applejack.

Luna gave her a searching look. "Indeed, care to explain why we are the pony you seek?"

Applejack grew nervous; embarrassed, she scratched her muzzle, her ears drooping. "Pardon me, yer highness, ah can't rightly recall where that came from. Ah wasn't actually looking fer ya or anything."

Fluttershy came to Applejack's defence. "It's true, Princess, I too had a very strong urge to find you, which I can't explain."

Pinkie corroborated the story. "When I found you, Luna, I was so happy, it was like I had accomplished something. Silly Pinkie, finding ponies isn't an accomplishment," she said, chastising herself.

Luna understood just what had occurred. "It seems that time is now even more of the essence. We must find the rest of the Element Bearers, your journey awaits."

They looked at her, uncertainly.

"Rarity is in Ponyville, Princess," said Fluttershy.

Applejack said, "Last ah saw of RD, she was still here."

"Oh! Rainbow Dash went to fly with the Wonderbolts. She was so excited!" said Pinkie.

Applejack stated, "Well then, ah suppose that we need ta find her, Fluttershy, why don't ya—" She stopped midsentence, her gaze locked upwards.

The Wonderbolt hopeful was rocketing towards them in an awesome display of speed. Her skill proven by the soft landing that she was able to make, next to the surprised group. Her mane was more bedraggled than usual, and she looked to be in rather rough shape.

"Dashie!" Pinkie squealed, her hair returning, fully, to its buoyant self. Jumping the pegasus she cried, "You're back!"

Rainbow fought her off, and then gave her a brief hug. "Hi, Pinkie, yes I'm back, good to see everyone here."

"Dash, if you don't mind me saying, you look very down," Fluttershy commented.

Rainbow's expression fell, her failure to save that pony had damaged her self-esteem, and broken, twisted clouds had been left in her wake. An instant later, she reverted her countenance back to its usual, proud state. "It's nothing, guys! Chill out! Hey, Applejack, you know nothing can get your friendly neighbourhood Rainbow Dash down, right?"

Applejack said, "Yep. Ya seem right as rainwater ta me. Same bravado an' everythin'."

"Bra vah do... What?" she said. "Never mind, the thing is, I was on a cloud, and I kinda sensed that Luna was here, so I flew down, and I was right!"

"So, you too, Rainbow Dash, had a compulsion to find us." Noted Luna. "You all, Twilight and Rarity must accompany us to Canterlot. Celestia will reveal all. We leave as soon as Twilight has awoken."

Luna broke away from the group, wandering towards the city outskirts, her expression one of contemplation. They watched her go, curiously.

Rainbow Dash interrupted the silence. "Why would Twilight need to wake up? Where is she?"

"You didn't see the sparkly blast that covered the entire city, Dashie?" questioned the pink earth pony.

"It turns out, Twilight had cast some sorta healing spell, but she used too much magic an' was knocked out cold," explained Applejack.

"But Nurse Redheart said that she would be okay, soon," said Fluttershy.

"What! No, I didn't see that, I was in the clouds. Thank goodness she'll be alright!" said Rainbow Dash at a furious pace, hints of worry visible on her face.

Pinkie Pie hopped around the turquoise pegasus excitedly, engaging her in a conversation about the Wonderbolts, determined to divert her friend's thoughts from shadow.

***

Twilight opened her eyes, and immediately shut them, the ambient light seeming far too bright to withstand. She lay still, listening to the rhythmic beep of the monitors and IVs.

Her entire body felt thoroughly exhausted, her mind too. She struggled to form coherent thoughts, her attention flitting hither and thither. After waiting a while, she tried again, with success.

Well, firstly I know that I'm in an infirmary, she thought, and secondly, I feel absolutely horrible. She struggled to sit up.

Her movement caught the eye of Nurse Redheart, and the medical pony trotted towards the bed. "Twilight! It's great to see you awake," she said.

"Thanks, Nurse Redheart, though I feel pretty battered."

"Your pain is understandable. You exerted your body far beyond its normal capacity with that spell. Thanks to Trixie, you were able to get here quickly."

"Heh, then I suppose I deserve this. So Trixie brought me here?"

"Yes, poor dear, she was frantically worried."

Nurse Redheart laid a hoof on her shoulder, her gaze intense. "Twilight, I know what you tried to do, and I'm very grateful. On behalf of all the ponies here, I would like to thank you. The energy from that spell was enormous, and it engulfed the entire city."

She stopped, a smile weaving its way across her muzzle. "It worked, Twilight! I found my patients, and those of others, to heal much faster, your lingering magic bolstering the healing process! It truly is miraculous, you performed a miracle!"

Twilight was stunned. "It worked? I lost myself in that moment. I can vaguely recall what happened. But it worked; I didn't act in vain." She turned her gaze out the tent window. "I'm glad Manehattan can move on."

Nurse Redheart gave her a grateful look as she removed her hoof. "I'll call the others, they have been waiting to see you."

Within moments the tent flaps were thrust aside. Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash entered. Needless to say, each of them were delighted about Twilight's return to consciousness.

"Twilight, that was seriously cool!" complimented Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy had hugged the mare, and said, "You truly did help everypony, Twilight!"

"I saw the blast, and I felt all tingly, and I was like, 'wow'!" Pinkie Pie energetically said.

Eventually the ruckus died down, another medical pony reminding them of where they were.

Applejack nonetheless delivered a stern warning. "Twilight, what ya did is great an' all, but ah never ever want ya ta think that it is okay ta give up yer life. It's too darn precious, ya hear me!"

"Sorry, Applejack, I guess I was too caught up in the moment. I still couldn't save the ponies in the city... the foals..." she said, tearing up. She remembered the blue mare holding her back, looking around, she asked, "Guys, where's Trixie?"

"Ah'm sorry, hun, she left. She told me ta tell ya that she's sorry..." Applejack said, relaying the message.

Twilight had little time to absorb this news for the entrance billowed open, and in strode the resplendent Moon Princess.

"Princess Luna!" cried Twilight. "When did you get here, your highness?"

"Thou hast awoken, Twilight. We are most pleased. To answer your question, we arrived on the morning of this very day. Now that you are awake, I'm afraid that we must depart."

Twilight was confused. "Apologies, Princess, but depart to where?"

"There has been an event. The Bearers of the Elements have been summoned. We will travel to Canterlot and Celestia will explain everything. Prepare yourselves, and I will return with Rarity, as she too must accompany us."

"Yes, Princess, I understand," said Twilight, the ghost of a vivid dream playing in her mind.

"Very good. Our belief in thou is strong."

Applejack used this lull in the conversation to speak, imploringly. "Princess, Ah'd like ta ask, if it's not too much trouble, if ya could also take mah aunt an' uncle ta Ponyville."

"I shall grant you this favour, Applejack, bring them to us," Luna commanded.

The cowpony ran off, returning with her family. "The Princess will take ya'll ta Ponyville. Ask Rarity ta get Apple Bloom, mah sister, ta take ya ta Sweet Apple Acres an' don't worry, they're expecting y'all."

The Oranges bowed to the Moon Princess before thanking Applejack profusely and wishing the friends well. Luna told them to stay close, and, raising her majestic head, they blinked away.

"I wonder how Rarity is doing, how everypony is doing." pondered Fluttershy.

The shadows had lengthened considerably by the time a pony with a styled purple mane, and a pony with a canvas of stars as her mane, teleported in. Joining them were a large bunch of quilts that were levitated to the side.

Rarity dashed to the infirmary before spotting her five friends sitting in a nearby open tent, she instead dashed towards them.

Flinging herself at Twilight and embracing her, she cried, "My dear, you are alright! I must say when Princess Luna told me what had transpired, I was absolutely flabbergasted. You must promise never to act so rashly again. You must, you must!"

"Rarity, you seem to be in good spirits! How is Spike?" enquired Twilight.

"Spike is well, he is a true gentlecolt, and I couldn't have been without his help. The poor dear was so worried about you and everypony that the Princess had to assure him that we wouldn't be gone for too long. He even made me Pinkie swear that we would return soon."

"Ah hope Apple Bloom wasn't too much trouble," said Applejack.

"Well... there was a small incident, but I was grateful for her help nonetheless. See those quilts over there? They are the result of the Crusaders' efforts with a dose of my instruction. She was also very excited to meet her aunt and uncle. I must say, Applejack, they are very classy and courteous."

"Yeah. Imagine, without RD's Sonic Rainboom, ah would've been one of 'em." Applejack chuckled.

Rarity, on the other hand, had a semi-meltdown, her brain unable to process the thought of Applejack behaving like a so-called 'city pony'. She gave a lady-like laugh before ending that train of thought.

Princess Luna stepped forward. "Our apologies, girls, but the reunion must be shortened. It is imperative that we are in Canterlot before sunrise."

They nodded in understanding, the strange dream trickling back into their conscious memory.

They made their way to the transit clearing. Twilight hobbling along with Rarity's assistance. The light fading.

"It seems that the day is at its end," said Luna, observing the rose and peach coloured sky. She anchored her hooves into the ground, exerting her magical control over the Moon. It rose, and its celestial twin, the Sun, set.

"Now, we shalt be on our way." Luna swirled her mane, speckles of stars falling, forming the teleportation glyph. She summoned her energy, and a pulse of light was released. They teleported, away from Manehattan.

General Savior witnessed them leave, grateful that they had made it out safely. He felt, within his being, that somehow, somewhere, those six mares would change the world, again.

Twilight never did make that promise to Rarity.