Josh followed the Mane Six along an obliterated street. The silence - which replaced the normal lively atmosphere of New York City - was ghastly. To Josh, a quiet Brooklyn seemed almost artificial.

"None of this makes any sense to me," commented the skateboarder after what seemed like an eternity. "First, there's a gigantic meteor shower that wipes out the entire universe, then you six come in from god-knows-where. What next, the Browns win a Super Bowl?"

Rainbow Dash questioned, "Who in the hay are the Browns? And what's the Super Bowl?"

Josh simply chuckled a bit. "Well, Dashie, the Browns are a professional football team based in the city of Cleveland," informed Josh. The guitar player then began to explain the entire history of the NFL to Dash.

"I think this kid might be human you, Twi," joked Applejack in a whisper. Twilight slightly smiled, but it quickly vanished. She still wasn't over Spike's death, and hadn't been happy since the meteors.

The group arrived at the wreckage of Luna Park. The place looked like Six Flags New Orleans did after Katrina, except there was no water - not even the ocean. During the meteor shower, the immense level of heat evaporated almost all the water on Earth.

Josh and the Mane Six rested by the collapsed Soaring Eagle. If it wasn't for one of the signs being intact, you'd think it was just a pile of red and blue scrap metal.

Twilight began, "Listen, Josh. The reason me and my friends came here to find you is because Princess Celestia told us there is a seventh Element of Harmony, the Element of Freedom. The universe can't be restored without it. We're here because the bearer of the seventh Element of Harmony... is you."

As soon as the lavender unicorn finished her sentence, a look came onto Josh's face that was something of a mix of shock, excitement, and utter confusion. Nopony could blame the guy.

Finally, the teenager laughed in disbelief. He replied, "You're kidding, right? You sure it isn't somepony else? Like, maybe Lyra, or Gilda, or even Spike?"

Twilight began to think of Spike again. Her ears drooped and her eyes watered. The studious pony sighed.

"Please don't mention Spike. Something... unfortunate happened."

Josh raised an eyebrow. He asked, "Why? What happened?"

"Spike... died in the catastrophe," Rarity answered in place of Twilight.

Josh's eyes widened. Josh got up and walked over to Twilight. "Twilight, I'm... incredibly sorry for you," he comforted, "but you can't let this stop you. Think about it, Twi, if we succeed - which we will, I'll personally see to it - Spike will be brought back to life. There's nothing to worry about."

As Josh spoke, a blood red glow shone through one of the pockets in his jean shorts. Noticing the light, the teenager reached into the pocket to find the source. What he pulled out was his guitar pick.

"Why did Josh's pick glow?" Fluttershy wondered out loud.

Pinkie was first to reply. "Ooh, I know! I know! It's because the pick is happy that Josh is making Twilight feel better!" Dash facehoofed as a response to the pink pony.

The lavender unicorn picked up the guitar pick with her magic and examined it. The Operator Symbol on it was releasing a red light. While the Mane Six huddled around Josh's pick, he decided to play his guitar without it. The newly discovered bearer picked up the axe and played the riff from Counterfeit by Limp Bizkit with no pick, the same way Wes Borland played it on the album. As he did, his pick glowed even brighter.

"Josh, you're strengthening your element!" exclaimed Twilight. Josh looked up at the pony while pressing down on his guitar strings to stop a sustain.

"How so?" the skateboarder questioned.

"Everything you're doing - playing the guitar, sharing your positive outlook on us saving the world, the skateboarding - it's all making your sense of freedom stronger!"

Josh nodded, signaling he understood what Twilight was talking about. It did make sense, after all.

"Yeah, yeah, I know what you're getting at, Twi," Josh acknowledged. "Every time I do something that gives a sense of freedom, my element gets more powerful. I guess, for example, that means Applejack's element gets stronger every time she tells the truth."

The cowpony nodded. "You're right, sugarcube," she responded.

Josh stood up. "Come on, girls. We have to find what caused this." The Mane Six followed him out of the destroyed amusement park.

What they didn't know is that they were being watched.

Author's Note

Okay, wow. I dragged that one out longer than I expected. Also, I'm glad this story has a positive like/dislike ratio. It's not by much, but still. Also, credit goes to RPG video games for the "element strengthening" idea.

As always, comments, compliments, and criticism is welcome.

-Jimmy-