The seven of us had basically the human equivalent of a slumber party that night. Twilight, of course, had her checklist to make sure we did everything right. We gave each other makeovers, we told creepy stories, played truth or dare, had a pillow fight, made smores, and ate cupcakes. (That last part was Pinkie's idea. She wanted to give me a full-out welcome party but she was overruled. A human in Ponyville could be very…disrupting.)

Long after the others had fallen asleep I lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling. So many thoughts were filling my mind. I was the sole human in a realm full of talking ponies. I obviously had some kind of connection with the Elements of Harmony. There was just too much going on at once.

Carefully I got up from the bed Twilight had made for me and sneaked downstairs.

Twilight was still up, to my surprise. Of course she had a book open, levitated with her magic, reading by candlelight. She looked up as I approached. "Still awake?"

"I've got a lot to think about."

Twilight nodded toward a kettle and teacup next to her. "Want some chamomile tea?"

"I'd love some."

Twilight poured me a cup and handed it to me with her magic without losing her grip on the book. I watched this in amazement. She seemed amused. "You humans have no idea what we alicorns can do." She closed the book and set it down. "You want to talk?"

"Yeah." I sipped the tea and found it excellent. "I really feel like something's missing from the Elements."

Twilight frowned again. "But like I said, there have always been six."

"Maybe you missed something…?" I pressed.

Twilight reopened her book. "There must be something in here about a seventh element, if there is one." She indicated a nearby stack of books with her hoof. "Mind helping me check?"

We stayed up the rest of the night looking through books and found nothing. By morning both of us were exhausted.

Pinkie was the first one awake. She bounded down the stairs with her pogo stick-like step. "Hi guys!" She froze in midair as she saw how tired we were. "What? Didn't you sleep at all last night? I didn't talk at all last night, I promise! I mean, I know I talk a lot during the day, but—"

This time Twilight's magic sealed the pink mouth shut.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy trotted down the stairs next. "Whatcha doin', Twi?" Rainbow teased. "Keep Tara up all night studying too?"

Twilight looked at me. "Want me to tell them?"

I nodded and glanced toward the stairs. Rarity and Applejack were now awake and headed our way.

Twilight stood up. "Everypony listen up. Tara here told me yesterday that she felt one of the Elements of Harmony was missing. We stayed up all night searching for any evidence of a seventh element and haven't found anything yet."

"You ain't gonna find nothin' on a seventh element," Applejack asserted.

Twilight looked back at me. "I know it seems crazy but…I have to agree with Tara. There's got to be a seventh."

"Yeah? How you gonna find out about it?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

"By going to see the other princesses."

The ponies looked at each other in surprise. Abruptly Rarity began to laugh. "You'll go all the way to Canterlot and drag Princess Cadence from the Crystal Empire just to satisfy your curiosity about some silly seventh element?"

"Girls, we have to do this!" Twilight insisted.

"Sorry, Twilight." Rarity sauntered toward the door. "I'm busy at the boutique today. You're on your own."

"I get to babysit Pound and Pumpkin again today!" Pinkie exclaimed excitedly. "Gotta go!"

"Don't get dragged through the kitchen again," Twilight advised Pinkie's backside as the hyperactive pony skedaddled. "How about you, Fluttershy?"

"Sorry, Twilight," the yellow Pegasus almost whispered, "I have to take care of a sick puppy at home."

Twilight sighed; her ears drooped in disappointment. "Well, all right. Rainbow Dash? Applejack?"

Applejack considered. "I finished all my chores yesterday. Sure, I can go with y'all!"

"And the Wonderbolts won't be back here for a while yet. Got nothin' else to do." Rainbow shrugged. "Why not?"

Twilight brightened up a bit now. "Thanks, girls! Now let's get to Canterlot and see if there really is a seventh element."