Chapter 6: Answers

"So what you're telling us is that the elements are going to explode or something?" Lightning asked. "No, the elements are unstable due to the fact that something interfered with the process." One of the figures answered. "So this instability will cause them to what and how do we stop it?" Lightning wanted answers. "This instability will cause them to eventually mentally break." Lightning was getting worried, "So you're telling us that they'll go insane?" he asked bluntly. The figures cringed. "Yes that's what we're saying." Rainbowdash was getting more and more silent. "That doesn't answer one thing." Lightning persisted. The figures looked at him, "And what is that?" Lightning looked straight at them. "How do we stop it?"

Sketch and Twilight got to the big grand doors moments after Pocket and Applejack did; the doors were open and the two unicorns galloped through on the other side was princess Celestia standing on her throne, perfectly fine. Her mane was as ethereal as it normally was, her coat was pristine white and her tiara was perched upon her head. "Princess Celestia! Are we glad to see you!" Twilight was jubilant. "Stay back Twilight." It was Sketch, "If she was here the whole time then how come she didn't come get us out?" Twilight stopped her gallop short. "Where's Lightning and Rainbowdash?" Sketch demanded. The princess looked at him, "Not here, I built that prison cell specific for each kind of pony. It would make sense he couldn't escape." Twilight was on the verge of tears, "Why Princess Celestia? Why would you do this to us?" The princess didn't bat an overly sized eyelash, "As a test of course; I wanted to see who could get each pair of ponies out of their cells." Twilight wasn't done, "Where is Pinkie and Rarity?" Twilight demanded. The princess shrugged, "I have no idea, They must have gotten out somehow. They'll get here soon." This wasn't the princess Twilight knew; who was this?

Lightning got closer to the shadowed figures, hoping to get a closer look. "Do you know the fastest way to the throne room?" One figure nodded, "Oh yes, you simply need to go through here." It snapped and a portal appeared, "Go forth! Your friends need you!" Lightning looked at Rainbowdash, "You ready to go?" Rainbowdash nodded. The two pegesi jumped through the portal to find in a flash they were someplace else. (Isn't that the point of portals?) They were in the throne room; all of the ponies wearing stunned expressions around them. "Hey everypony! What's happening?" Lightning asked enthusiastically. "Where did you come from?" Twilight asked, "From a room of knowledge." Lightning answered cryptically. "Everypony! We bring things you need to know!" Rainbowdash called. "What is it?" Twilight inquired. "We have spoken with two who-knows-what's and they told us that the elements are in great danger! Not the elements but the bearers of them." Lightning relayed the basics of the problem. "The basics of it are this; when you use the elements a small piece of your soul is linked to them, when you disconnect from them you lose that piece of yourself." Twilight gasped, Lightning continued. "When that happens you lose some of your sanity, you eventually turn into a shadow version of yourself; Such as what happened to the princesses." Princess Celestia's head drooped. "The only way to stop it is to eliminate the shadows of doubt and anger within yourself."

"So how we go about that I have no idea." Lightning concluded. "You must leave this palace at once that is what you must do." Lightning regarded the princess, "And why is that princess? Is it because the secrets of the elements have been revealed?" The princess shook her head. "You broke out of the Pegasus section of the dungeon." Lightning still stood defiantly, "I am not going anywhere. Not until you give us some answers!" Twilight was shocked by this clear act of defiance against the princess. "Lightning hwat are you doing?" Lightning didn't turn around. "Maybe somepony should show the princess that we're not at her complete mercy." Twilight persisted, "Is this the best choice?" Lightning looked at Twilight, "If this is what needs to be done, then I'll do it." Twilight looked completely shocked, Lightning wasn't like this. "Listen to yourself Lightning! Is this what you want?" Lightning sighed, "No; I don't want a war, I want answers." Twilight was confused "About what? You already told us about what the elements do to a pony!" Lightning shook his head, his green sweat soaked mane swinging in the air. "That doesn't explain what the elements ARE; the princess says she and Luna found them, but where? And how? None of her story explains this." Twilight was beginning to question Lightning's OWN sanity. "I just need to know one thing." Lightning said, the princess looked at him, "Where did you find the elements?"

The train ride back to Ponyville was extremely awkward; Twilight refused to speak with Lightning, "It doesn't matter! Just think what the princess thinks of me now!" Twilights last words to him were spoken harshly; but what Lightning said was worse, "Is that all that matters to you? What the princess thinks of you?" he said this coldly. Then the two went into their respective train cart rooms. "You think that Lightning was a bit too harsh?" Rarity asked, "I think he's learning to question reality." The voice came from the walls, in a flash Discord warped into the room. "Discord! Where were you when we needed you?" Pocketbook demanded. "Oh you didn't need me; after all you escaped without my help." Discord answered. "Can you go talk to Lightning? He and Twilight are in a fight." Fluttershy asked.

Lightning was in his cabin; stewing about what had happened. "I need to uncover this; there is no other way." Discord warped into his room. "What do you want discord?" Lightning snapped, Discord feigned surprise, "I thought you would welcome your friend; speaking of friends; what happened between you and Twilight hmm?" Discord asked the young stallion. "I wanted to uncover some things about the elements; Twilight thinks that my attitude towards the princess was not befitting a royal." Lightning stated bluntly. He sighed, "Can you tell her that I don't want to be in a fight with her? I want to figure out what's going on; I was rude to the princess because she was hiding something; I knew that there was something hidden." Discord warped out of the room.

Authors note: I can't really do much about this except finish what I started; so if Twilight is going to hate Lightning then it will be so. Mwahaha and all that.

Disclaimer: I do not own MLP this is for the sole purpose of entertainment. Thank you for your time.