Author's Note: EVIL OC TIME! DUN DUN DUUUN!

There was silence. Nothing interrupted it except for the steady breath of wind that inched its way into the room. Then, completely unexpectedly, Pinkie and Dinky burst out in hysterical laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Oooh, Tick Tock! AHAHAHAHAH!"

"THAT'S SUCH A SILLY NAME! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Princess Celestia couldn't help but smile sheepishly as she watched the two roll around on the floor, laughing their heads off. Ditzy was doing abetter job of keeping her mirth under control, her hooves stuck in her mouth to stop herself from giggling uncontrollably. Everypony else was eying the two with either exasperation, shock or a mixture of the two.

"Now, girls, calm down," said Twilight Sparkle strictly. "Tick Tock is a serious villain. He... um... he..."

"I wouldn't expect you to know, Twilight," said Celestia softly.

"Of course I do!" exclaimed the lavender unicorn, slapping a hoof to her forehead. "It's just in one of those old story books or something at my library, I could get one and be back in ten seconds flat!"

"That's my line!" interrupted Rainbow Dash indignantly.

"Yeah, Twi, don't steal from the super-awesome Rainbow Dash!" added Scootaloo, bouncing up and down in excitement.

"Hey, lay off her!" snapped Ruby defensively. "She's as great as my mum, so there!"

Both Twilight and Berry Punch stared in astonishment at this outburst. Berry began to smile widely, and Twilight blushed sheepishly.

Scootaloo threw her hooves up. "Alright, alright, don't get your horn in a twist. So... who's this weirdo Tick Tock guy?"

Princess Celestia looked to the window, as if for comfort. Then, after a sigh, she began.

"Tick Tock and Discord used to be friends. Best friends. As children, they would do everything together. However, as they grew older, Discord grew more rebellious. He planned to take over Equestria. At first, Tick Tock thought his friend was just joking, but soon he realised that Discord meant business. He was too weak to fight his ex-friend, and so went into hiding, the coward. Luna and I defeated Discord, but right after Luna became Nightmare Moon, Tick Tock saw his chance for vengeance.

"He planned to attack me with his new-found powers, after dabbling in the blackest magics. I thought I could have easily defeated him, but he was slick of tongue, and more powerful than I expected. I managed to harness the Elements by myself, but I merely weakened him, and sent him to reside in the Griffon Kingdom. He swore to defeat me and my sister if it was the last thing he did. And with that, he left."

There was silence. Then, Applebloom spoke up.

"But what kinda powers does he have? If we know, we c'n always find ah way tah avoid 'em or defeat 'em, maybe even take 'em away!"

Celestia nodded. "You speak true, Applebloom. I know that he is the Spirit of Alteration. He can copy things, alter them and change them. He is a twisting, wretched liar, who will do anything he wants. In fact, he can even manipulate time."

"What?!" exclaimed Fuzzy. "Like a crazy time traveller or something?!"

"Like Daddy!" chirped Dinky. Ditzy hugged her and they both laughed.

"No, no," chuckled Celestia. "He can, for instance, change anypony into a past or future form of themselves. He can do this on anything, and his power is unlimited. However, if you wield an Element of Harmony, you are immune to becoming so old or young that your form becomes crippled."

"But the Element of Magic is missing!" exclaimed Rarity, stamping a hoof. "How in Equestria can we find it?"

"Tick Tock probably stole it!" piped up Sweetie Belle.

"Exactly what I suspect," said Celestia. "I believe that Tick Tock stole the Element of Magic to try and use in his plan. Of course, the true magic of the Element can't be unlocked by none but the Element wielders."

"Yes, but now that means that my daughter 'n Twi are in danger!" snapped Berry. "Princess, I beg of you, couldn't you help us?"

Celestia shook her head. "Luna and I cannot. Our forms could be crippled by Tick Tock, and without the sun and moon rotating regularly, he could easily conquer us. This holds true for the non-Element wielders as well. In other words, Ditzy Doo, Berry Punch and Fuzzy Peach are in danger while accompanying their daughters. I ask for their lodging here, where they are safe."

"NO!"

The cry came from three mouths. Ditzy looked worried sick, Berry looked angry, and Fuzzy looked disdainful.

"How're we supposed to know that you'll take care of 'em?" demanded Fuzzy. "No offence, Princess, but you aren't a parent. You don't know how it feels to have your child thrown into a dangerous world without any comfort!"

"I apologise, Fuzzy," said Celestia. "I have lived for over a thousand years, and I have seen many tears and hardships with foals. I know only a fraction of how much it hurts to be separated from your child, but I hope this fraction serves enough for your understanding."

"W-will Dinky be okay?" whimpered Ditzy.

"I promise," vowed Celestia.

"Pinkie Pie Promise?" piped up said earth pony.

Celestia smiled slightly, then recited the following:

"Cross my heart,
Hope to fly,
Stick a cupcake,
In my eye.
Ow!"

Pinkie nodded, then stepped back. Berry and Fuzzy looked skeptical.

"Are you sure that's enough?" demanded Berry.

"Trust me, it darn is," assured Applejack, smiling.

The three mothers looked at each other and sighed, before nodding and hugging their daughters close, for what could be the last time. Pinkie suddenly burst into tears, fountains of salty water streaming out of her eyes. She wailed loudly, and even the others grew a bit teary, especially Fluttershy. Then the moment passed, and the mothers broke away from their daughters, all six teary-eyed.

"I appreciate this," murmured Celestia. "Thank you."