Slamming the door shut, the three equines stood without speaking, only their ragged breathing held back the silence. Finally the hut's owner spoke up:

"My home is safe and free of this blight. Still, I think it best that you remain tonight." However the two ponies were shaking their heads.

"Ah ain't just gonna sit here while Ponyville is in danger! We have to go back and help everyone."

"And I'd like to...um...make sure the animals are okay. Elizabeak has been very sensitive since she saw the cockatrice. Angel and Hummingway have been fighting too."

"Your pets do not have what these beasts seek, their bonds with others are simply too weak."

"What are you blabberin' about Zecora? You seem to know somethin' about these critters and it's about time you shared."

"Of course you are right, my friend. To do anything less could bring our end. Our assailants are leaches who crave what we forge, to them it is a most generous meal on which they gorge."

"I still don't understand, Zecora. Neither of us are forgers, nor is Derpy's daughter Dinky. There's only one blacksmith in Ponyville, wouldn't they go after him?"

"They want what we all shape, not iron nor steel. What feeds these creatures is how we feel."

"How we feel? Gosh dangit Zecora we all feel lousy, we've been feeling lousy all day. Will you quit beatin' around the bush and tell us what these things are and how we can stop them an' get our friends back?"

"I understand how you feel, Applejack and you are right. I tell you this to show it will be a hard fight. These creatures want not your flesh but deeper, in your tongue you might call them a History Reaper."

"History Reaper?" Chorused Applejack and Fluttershy.

"Yes. As a pony grows and makes friends life-long, the Reapers crave these ties to grow strong."

"Uhh......ah'm still not following."

"An example then, dear Applejack. Do you care for your siblings, Applebloom and Big Mac?"

"What kinda question is that? There ain't nothing I wouldn't do for mah family!"

"Precisely my point, that strength of conviction. For that feeling is the Reapers' addiction. They need neither food nor water to thrive. They use the bonds between ponies as a means to survive."

"That's awful! They feast on our feelings?"

"What happens to those ponies they take? How do they steal their feelings?"

"They look for a pony with a strong zeal. It is these poor victims that show the most appeal. The beasts will move in and spirit them away, then a change will begin within a day. The behaviour of friends will soon alter, so too you'll find their memories will falter. To find a pony unchanged will be a feat most rare, most will act like the taken..." Zecora paused for a moment,

regarding the two,

"...was never there." After a brief bout of headscratching, the bit dropped. Fluttershy spoke up first.

"You mean their friends won't remember them at all?"

"that's jus' terrible. How can they call themselves friends if they forget a pony?"

"it is not their fault. In their memories is a space, their minds create something to take its place. Any pony who knew them will be affected, their minds make sure that their sanity is protected. The pony will become a stranger to the rest, no one will care as the Reapers harvest."

"Harvest? Are you sayin' them Reapers will eat them up? 'til there's nothin' left?"

'They will not touch body but will feast on the soul, all the way back to the days as a foal."

"But if they still alive somewhere, can we rescue them?"

"We can try but the damage may be done. No pony has been found once it has begun."

"We'll we've gotta try. We're the only ones who remember. Come to think of it, why do we remember? We all knew about Derpy 'n' Dinky."

"I am afraid a guess is all I've got, that we were within Celestia's influence, safe in Canterlot."

"Well then it's up to us. We've gotta undo all these lies!"

"A fine choice of words, good Earth Pony, for I believe the key lies with your Element of Harmony."

"Of course! Honesty! Oh Applejack, you're definitely the pony we need."

"Well, I dunno what I can do but I'll give all the help ah can. First we gotta git back to Ponyville and fetch mah Element though."

"Um...is that such a good idea? What if those things are still around?"

"Do not fear, kind Fluttershy, they will not appear without the moon in the sky."

"Oh. Alright then."

"Ah reckon we should get some sleep then until the sun comes up."

~~~~~~

"Be careful, Applejack!" Fluttershy called after the sprinting pony.

"While Applejack is at her farm, we must see if any pony has come to harm."

"Actually Zecora, do you think we could visit Derpy again? I want to make sure she's doing okay?"

"It may not be as easy at that, we may face problems right off the bat."

"What do you mean?" Instead of answering, Zecora nodded her head at the surrounding ponies, all of which were giving them a wide berth.

"I don't understand. They're acting like they, err....we, used to when we saw you. You haven't been affected by the Reapers though, so they should still know you."

"That would be true in most cases, but something is causing them to make those faces."

"Let's......let's just try to ignore it until we can meet up with Applejack and the others." Again, Zecora said nothing as the two continued on. Soon they reached the police station and entered the lobby. The moment they stopped through the doors all sound stopped. Fluttershy approached the desk of the visibly shaking receptionist. Zecora didn't move from her place at the door. Fluttershy coughed, lightly at first, then more insistently, finally drawing the greeter's attention.

"Oh, I...yes. How can I help you?" Her eyes never leaving the unmoving zebra.

"Hello. Could I please speak with one of the ponies in your holding cells? I promise it won't take very long." As the receptionist stammered out a response, a burly stallion stomped forward menacingly.

"Of course you can, miss Fluttershy..." he gruffed,

"...but she can't."

"I don't think that's very fair. Zecora hasn't done anything wrong."

"She's scaring my staff!"

"Um...that is...she's just standing there."

Just then the doors opened Daisy bustled in, almost rear-ending Zecora, she began to apologise, froze then ran screaming out of the door. The stallion fixed Fluttershy with a glare.

"You see? Now she's causing trouble for good, honest ponies. I got half a mind to throw her in the cells myself." The constable smirked at his officers. They didn't mirror his expression. Confused, the stallion looked back and wished he hadn't.

"Let me tell you something, big guy." Later he would marvel at just how terrifying that low tone was, "Zecora here is my friend, more than that, she is a wonderful, courageous person who has aided myself and others countless times without asking for reward or favour. She is a far better person than you AND YOU WILL TREAT HER WITH RESPECT! Do you understand me?"

"C-certainly ma'am. Whatever you say." before the ticked-off Pegasus could continue,

"Fluttershy. We should make this quick." The Stare vanished at her friend's words. Silently, Fluttershy headed for the cells, the officers taking this moment to drag their frozen comrade away to lie down. Moments later she returned. Looking at Zecora, she tilted her head towards the door.

As they continued towards the library, Fluttershy cast worried glances at her compatriot, who hadn't spoken since leaving the station. Finally, several streets later,

"We were too late?" It wasn't really a question.

"Yes. I looked in every cell and asked the guards. They said nopony was using that cell until they fixed the door, and the rest were all full. There wasn't anything on their records about Derpy's fight with Cheerilee either."

"We will have to hope for better luck with Applejack's help." The zebra's eyes remained downcast.

"Zecora, I-"

"We are here." Surprised, Fluttershy saw they were indeed at the library. Knocking on the door, she was relieved to see Applejack open it.

"Howdy you two, I was wondering when you'd get here. I got the......whole gang here."

"We will be with you in a moment, dear Applejack." Shocked, the earth pony looked at Fluttershy, who shook her head in a let-it-go manner.

"Well...alright then. You just take a moment. We'll be waiting inside." Leaving it unlocked, she shut the door. The pegasus turned to her friend.

"Zecora..." She stopped as the forest-dweller help up a hoof.

"Please, I don't want a mistake," halting, she concentrated,

"first impressions are hard to break." Seemingly satisfied, she pushed open the door as Fluttershy followed.

~~~~~~

It wasn't often you experienced complete silence twice in one day. Bottle that up and you could make a fortune, Fluttershy mused. This wasn't going well at all. Zecora looked miserable, no doubt due to the expressions on the faces of Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Spike. Applejack and Fluttershy glanced desparately from face to face, completely lost as to what to say.

"Uh...you guys remember Zecora? She's been helpin' us out since the storm hit."

"Oh yes," Fluttershy jumped in, "her help has been just wonderful. Why I'd say we'd be lost without her, wouldn't you Applejack?"

"Oh yeah. Why ah ain't never seen a more helpful filly in all mah days."

"I......thank you  Zecora," social protocol forced the prim unicorn's words, "we are most grateful for your assistance to our friends. Is...is there anything we can do to repay you?"

"Yeah," Spike agreed, though this wasn't unusual if Rarity was involved, "can I get you anything, Zecora, a drink? Maybe a snack?"

"How about some hay, huh!?"

"Pinkie! I eat hay. You eat hay. We all eat hay!"

"Oh yeah. Heeheehee."

"Thank you Spike but I am full, though perhaps you all can help us with some trouble?"

"Trouble? Are you causing problems for my friends, Stripes?"

"Rainbow! Leave 'er alone! Zecora ain't the trouble, fer the las' time she's tryin' ta help!"

"Hmph. Fiiine."

"A moment please, while we have this lull. Tell me Spike, where is Twilight Sparkle?"

"Uhh......fiction or reference? Did I have that on back-order? Lemme check the new arrivals."

"Thank you Spike but there is no need, just the name is what we must heed."

"Ooookay."

"Hold in strong in your minds, bright and clear. Now then, dear Applejack, take it from here." Nodding, the Earth Pony dug into her pack and brought out her golden necklace.

"An Element of Harmony? We haven't used those since the Summer Sun Celebration. Such a shame too, they are so stylish."

"Boy that was a crazy night. Us five stopping Nightmare Moon by creating the 6th element within Princess Luna until she busted right out of Nightmare Moon!"

"I know, right? She was all like 'Darkness forever!' and we were like 'By our powers combined!'"

"Well, y'see Pinkie, that's not exactly how it happened?"

"Whaddaya mean?"

"We'll tell you later, Pinkie, now focus on Applejack. Rarity, Rainbow, Spike, all of you too please. Remember to keep that name, 'Twilight Sparkle', in your mind."

"Everybody ready? Alright then, close your eyes and hold onto your horseshoes. Ah don't know exactly what's gonna happen here, but let's find out. Twilight Sparkle here we come!"

~~~~~~

Gathering the four around her, Applejack turned her attention to her Element necklace. Thinking back on Zecora's words, she tried to visualise all the bonds she'd make with these ponies. Starting small and safe she worked on memories that didn't involve any of the missing ponies; racing with Rainbow, baking with Pinkie Pie, talking with Rarity as they watched over Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, Spike sending one of her letters to Princess Celestia. She sent these memories out to each friend she shared them with until she felt them respond. Encouraged, she moved on, finding memories that involved 2 of the four, then 3, finally moving onto memories they all shared. She pictured a huge lassoo in her mind, comprised of all these shared experiences. As she had done so many times with her hooves, she aimed the lassoo to wrap around all of them, herself included. Her aim was true, she felt the snag from each pony as the lassoo reached them, not only her own memories of these events but theirs feeding back along the connection too.

Once the five-fold circuit was stable, she readied herself for the final task. Willing openness to her friends, Applejack sent out the memory she had decided was the msot fitting for the occasion: Their battle with Nightmare Moon, the first time they wielded the Elements or Harmony together and brought about Twilight's 6th Element, the Magic that came to the Canterlot unicorn when she finally accepted the five as her friends. Confusion flowed back along the connection as their minds rejected this version of events. The worst of it came from Spike, the only one not there at the time. The young dragon was confused, almost painfully so, yet there was something else there too, buried beneath the wave of shared emotion. Maintaining her connection to the others, Applejack sought it out, gently, as one would coax a bunny from its den. Rolling with this metaphor, Applejack widened the lassoo a little further, just enough slack to wrap around Fluttershy too. As the sixth voice was added to the stream, she willed the gentle pegasus to calm the others, share her kind soul with them to keep them calm and the connection stable.

As this was going on, Zecora was making her own preparations. She was holding an illustrious jewel, so pure that Rarity would turn her coat black digging for it, around it were woven designs of wood and twine, adorned with feathers and beads. She could not see what was going on within the minds of the 6, yet she could feel the energy in the air. Waiting for her time, she silently sent out her hope to aid Applejack.

With Fluttershy's help, Applejack had drawn Spike out of his shell. Memories of Canterlot swirled within him, yet a veil seemed to have been drawn over them, distorting them. The memories seemed to jar every now and then, and each time they did a shadow would appear in them. Applejack seized upon this, sending the image into the minds of all the ponies and their memories, showing that shadow where she knew her friend should be. She knew she couldn't rush this, it would need to be subtle, to do too much could risk it all, or worse yet damage their minds in some way.

She poured her thoughts into the shadow, giving it form, first a basic pony shape, all the while circulating the mantra of 'Twilight Sparkle, Twilight Sparkle'. After the shape she added details, the length of the tail, the cut of the mane, the identifying horn of a unicorn, then she stopped. This was not just her memory after all. She reached out to the others, mantra ongoing, and asked a simple question:

What do you see?

A stab of uncertainty ran through the connection, she and Fluttershy sending out soothing thoughts and memories to counter it. All of them, not just Spike could feel it now. Something  was there, under their memories, yet it slipped away as they looked for it, like a reflection in a stream. Only for an instant, flashes began to appear in the minds of the six. The shadow would change, just for a moment, showing amethyst eyes. From others in the circle came a violet coat, a two-tone mane, a six-point star. These traits flickered on and off, never all at once.

It's okay, Applejack willed,

we're all okay, we're so close now. Just a little further!. She felt them all, scared but willing, ready for the final push. They needed a guide, something to show them the way, to know that they were on the right track.

Lucky for us she's standing right over there.

Withdrawing from the bond for just a moment, Applejack's opening eyes met Zecora's. Beckoning her over, she pressed her forehead to the zebra's, drawing them both back up into the mix. The others, save Fluttershy, reacted to this intrusion, though they quickly calmed as Applejack's sense of purpose washed over them. Zecora, sensing Applejack's intent, opened herself and her memories up to the others. For the moment, Applejack stepped back and let the zebra plot their course.

Image after image of time spent in Ponyville, sharing tea in her home in the Everfree Forest, dazzling the children on Nightmare Night, every seemingly insignificant display of friendship between herself and village. Within their conference of souls, Applejack and Fluttershy flanked Zecora, encouraging her to show what was in her heart.

I'm here./She's here.

I'm real./She ain't no lie.

Twilight Sparkle.

All this is our past.

Twilight Sparkle.

You need to remember.

Twilight Sparkle.

Y'all shared this with us

Twilight Sparkle.

Please don't hatefearrun fromhide fromavoid me.

The seven creatures, all unique; Earth ponies, Pegasus', Unicorn, Dragon, Zebra. All were swept up in the wave of shared memory and emotion. Zecora's stone was shining brighter than the sun and stars, drinking in the magic around it. As their song built to a crescendo, one plea from seven beings rose above all the others.

Please.........don't forget me.

Next Chapter: Chapter 4 Estimated time remaining: 23 Minutes