Author's Notes:

The beginning of this chapter is a bit of an experiment. I know with the way the last chapter ended the beginning here will be a little jarring, but there's an artistic reason for this.

I hope you enjoy this chapter, I know I'm enjoying this story.

Elements of Harmony

When Twilight and Spike returned to the library, they were both in a daze. Twilight couldn't believe what she had witnessed in the Everfree Forest, and wasn't sure what surprised her more; an earth pony turning into an alicorn, or her statement that she was an Element of Harmony.

Spike found one too. That “Rarity” mare, who was apparently a unicorn. Was that why Spike got such a weird feeling from Applejack?

She was torn with how she felt. It was somewhere between mesmerized and horrified. Applejack reassured her and Dash that those creatures wouldn't come after them, but still...

She was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock on the door, “It's open,” Twilight said softly. Spike opened the door, but didn't immediately walk in.

“H-hey Twilight,” he said slowly, “Got a minute?” Twilight nodded and beckoned for Spike to come in. After seeing that he was okay, she calmed down for the most part, and was thankful that Rarity had been there to protect him.

“So...” he began, “Still thinking about last night?” Spike asked, getting a nod from Twilight.

“They were normal ponies,” Twilight said, “But they ascended into alicorns by sheer will alone. That shouldn't even be possible.”

“But we both saw it with our own two eyes,” Spike said, “Dash saw it too. That, believe it or not, was real.”

Twilight didn't want to believe it was real. She wanted it all to be a bad dream and she'd wake up back in the castle in her and Spike's room. Sadly, it was real, and neither she nor Spike could get their individual fights out of their head.

The hornets launched their stingers at them again, but Applejack's horn glowed in a golden aura, and the ground came up in front of them as a shield.

“Holy shit!” Rainbow Dash screamed, “Did you just-”

“Use magic? Yeah,” Applejack said, “Ah've got a few tricks up mah sleeve.”

With that, Applejack pointed her horn forward, making the wall explode on the hornets. She then flew into the swarm and slashed wildly with her horn, knocking a few of them out of the sky.

She landed, guiding a few of the hornets with her, and then continued her assault. To Twilight, it almost looked like she was dancing. Besides the Princess, this Applejack might have been the most beautiful pony she had ever seen.

Dash looked up, and then pointed above them, “Hey! More of them are coming!”

Applejack turned to Dash, and then looked up herself and saw more hornets flying over to them. They fired their stingers at her, but she jumped to the side landing behind a tree to take cover. She hid there for a while as the hornets continued to fire on the tree.

Before Twilight and Dash could move in to help her, a barrage of white lasers shot down at the hornets, killing a few. Twilight looked and saw another alicorn, this one white with a purple mane. Based off the regalia she wore, it was safe to assume that she too was one of these “Elements of Harmony”.

“Applejack,” the white alicorn said from the air, “Don't tell me you're getting worried about a few avatars.”

“Ah'm just getting warmed up!” Applejack said, “What about you Rarity? Little late fer the party?”

“A true lady always tries to arrive fashionably late for a gathering,” the white alicorn, apparently named Rarity, said turning her nose to the air, “Besides, I had to make sure someone was safe.”

As soon as she said that, Twilight saw Spike run out from behind a bush, three hornets chasing him. He turned around and breathed his green fire on them, pushing them back, and Rarity swooped down, creating a few orbs of light behind her that shot white lasers at the hornets.

“Spike!” Twilight called out, immediately forgetting the danger around them and running over to him. Spike turned to her and embraced her.

“Twilight! What are you doing here?” Spike asked.

“You didn't make it back in time, so I came searching for you!” Twilight said, “What is this place?”

“Rarity called it a labyrinth,” Spike explained, “And those things she called “avatars”,” Spike continued, pointing to the hornets as they flew around.

Twilight, Spike, and Dash all turned back to the fight, both Rarity and Applejack standing back to back covering each other. Applejack kicked stones at the hornets, knocking them down, while Rarity fired at them with multiple lasers. The fight ended almost too quickly, and soon the environment changed back to normal as the last hornet was shot down.

“My, that was a close one,” Rarity said, “Even if they were just avatars, you can't be too careful.”

“Exactly, speakin of which,” Applejack turned to the trio, “Y'all alright?”

“Alright? Alright?!” Dash asked, “First of all, what were those things that attacked us? Second of all, why are you suddenly an alicorn? And finally, why the hell are you hanging out with her?” she continued, pointing to Rarity.

“Believe me, it's not out of preference,” Rarity stated, “But I'm sure we'd be happy to explain it all to you, right Applejack?”

“Ah think that's best,” Applejack stated, “But not right now. Y'all need ta get some rest.”

“But what about-” Twilight was about to ask, but Applejack put a hoof up stopping her.

“If ya come ta Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow Ah promise ta explain everything,” Applejack said, “Dash, think ya can pick them up and bring them with ya tomorrow?”

“S-sure...” Dash said, still in shock apparently.

“Great,” Applejack turned to Rarity, “Ah'll wait fer ya outside.”

Rarity nodded and trotted over to Spike as Applejack took to the skies, “Will you come by tomorrow?” she asked.

“Yeah, I'll be there,” Spike said slowly. Rarity smiled sadly and turned to leave. She took one look at Twilight and took off after Applejack.

“Okay, so... that just happened, right?” Dash asked. Twilight couldn't bring herself to answer her. She was so confused, all she wanted to do was go home and hopefully wake up, because this had to be a dream.

“Think we should tell the Princess?” Twilight asked after a minute.

“I think we should learn a bit more about the situation before we let Mom know about this,” Spike said, “They might not want anyone knowing about this.”

“But we're investigating this,” Twilight said, “We're officials. They're just vigilantes.”

“I don't know about that,” Spike said, “In any case, Dash is supposed to come by here to take us to Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow. We'll get answers then.”

Twilight nodded in acceptance. Spike was about to get up, but Twilight reached out to stop him.

“Wait!”

“What's up Twilight?” Spike asked.

“I... almost lost you tonight,” Twilight said looking down, “Think tonight... you could sleep in her with me?”

Spike smiled awkwardly, “We haven't done that since we were kids,” he said, “Wouldn't it be a little... you know...”

“There's plenty of room...” Twilight said, unable to look Spike in the eyes, “It won't be strange at all... I just need you close to me tonight, that's all.”

Spike sighed and lied down on the far left of the bed.

“If it'll help you get some rest tonight, then sure,” Spike said with a comforting smile.

“Thank you, Spike,” Twilight said lying down next to him and gazing into his eyes.

“No problem,” Spike said with a yawn, “Good night, Twilight...”

“Good night... Spike,” Twilight said, closing her eyes and relaxing. In the morning, one of them would probably wake up to see Twilight snuggled up next to Spike, but that was something to be tackled when Celestia raised the sun.

Applejack asked Rarity and Fluttershy to join her in explaining to Twilight, Spike, and Rainbow Dash what happened last night, and was now outside on her porch with Rarity as they waited for everyone else. Right outside, they're little sisters Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were playing tag with their friend Scootaloo. All three of them were about seven in age, and none of them had their Cutie Marks yet, meaning they hadn't discovered their special talent yet.

“Why was Spike in the labyrinth last night?” Applejack asked seriously.

“You certainly don't beat around the bush, do you?” Rarity replied with a sigh.

“The Everfree Forest is dangerous at night,” Applejack said, “Ah know you were the one who led him there.”

“What if I was, hm?” Rarity asked, “Are you going to revoke my privileges to use the magic of harmony? Make me sit in the corner while and think about what I did?”

She wished she could. In fact, Applejack wished she didn't have to work with this mare period. How she ended up gaining the magic of harmony Applejack would probably never know.

“Ya know, it's thanks ta you that we have ta explain this in the first place,” Applejack said, “If you hadn't taken Spike into that labyrinth-”

“It hadn't formed when we got there,” Rarity said, apparently tired of being accused, “Besides, weren't you following Twilight and Rainbow Dash? They didn't know Spike was there, they got lucky. Honestly, this would have happened regardless.”

Applejack hated when she was right, mainly because of that smug look on her face. Like she was some huge know-it-all. Applejack looked out and saw Fluttershy trotting over to them. Great, Applejack thought, things would be less awkward now, since Fluttershy and Rarity were best friends.

How that quiet filly could stand a mare so full of herself Applejack would never know.

“I'm sorry if I'm late,” Fluttershy said, her voice almost a whisper, “I had to take care of an injured bird before I got here.”

“It's fine, darling, they haven't even arrived yet,” Rarity said.

“Oh good,” Fluttershy said sitting down in between them, “I hope no one was hurt last night.”

“Everyone got out in one piece,” Applejack said, “But they were just avatars, so ya didn't miss much.”

“If there are avatars in there, a nightmare is probably going to form soon,” Fluttershy reasoned, “Should we investigate?”

“Later,” Rarity said pointing down the road, “Our guests have arrived.”

Applejack looked out and saw Twilight, Spike, and Rainbow Dash walking toward Sweet Apple Acres. They looked better than they did last night, so that was good. Still though, Applejack was not looking forward to explaining this one.

“There they are,” Dash said pointing out to the small blue and white house in the distance. Twilight looked out and saw Applejack sitting on the porch with Rarity and a butter colored pegasus with an unbelievably long pink mane and tail. She had to have tail extensions.

“Think that pegasus is with them as well?” Spike asked.

“Fluttershy?” Dash asked, “I want to say I doubt it, but at this point I wouldn't be surprised.”

“Are they friends of yours?” Twilight asked.

“Only Applejack really,” Dash explained, “Fluttershy and I are both from Cloudsdale, but we were never close or anything. Rarity came from Manehatten I think, but she and her sister moved here four years ago. She's nice and all, but Applejack doesn't like her very much.”

“Why not?” Spike asked suddenly, surprising Twilight a bit.

“They're like fire and ice,” Dash stated, “Applejack is old fashioned and lives a basic life, while Rarity is into trends and lives a more frivolous life. She's got a lot of money, and I hear she even offered to give Applejack some financial help with the farm.”

“Are they in trouble or something?” Twilight asked.

“It's only Applejack and her brother Macintosh running the place,” Dash continued, “Her younger sister, Apple Bloom is only seven, and her grandmother is too old to do much anymore. I help her a lot though, so as far as I can tell she's okay.”

Twilight found herself looking at Applejack as she and the other two trotted over to them. She seemed like her total opposite, being strong and independent, and having ponies depend on her. She didn't have a bunch of social issues, nor was she dependent on anyone.

I wish I could be strong like her, Twilight thought.

“Glad y'all could make it,” Applejack said with a smile, “Twilight, Spike, this here's Fluttershy,” Applejack said gesturing to the pegasus, “She's the third Element of Harmony.”

“It's very nice to meet you,” Fluttershy said with an elegant bow, her voice soft and melodious. The kind one has if they're a good singer.

“Nice to meet you,” Spike said shaking her hoof. Twilight simply nodded to her, happy that Fluttershy didn't push her to make contact.

“If we're going to do this, we should probably find someplace more private,” Rarity said, “We don't want our sister's to see us.”

“Yer right,” Applejack said, “Apple Bloom, could ya come here fer a sec'?”

The little earth pony filly galloped over to them.

“What's up, AJ?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Ah'm gonna head into the barn fer a second. Don't go out too far, ya hear?” Applejack said in a true motherly fashion.

“We won't,” Apple Bloom said with a nod. Applejack kissed the little filly on the forehead before she ran back over to her friends.

“Alright,” Applejack said, “Follow me.”

As Applejack trotted off, Twilight couldn't take her eyes off of her. The way she talked to her little sister, the way she carried herself, she was truly a magnificent pony.

Twilight galloped over to her, “Um, I never did thank you...”

“Aw, ya ain't gotta worry 'bout that,” Applejack stated, “Ah'm just glad Ah could help.”

Twilight smiled looking away, somewhat taken aback by how humble she was about her power. It was like she didn't just rescue her and Dash by transforming into an alicorn and fighting those strange monsters.

They arrived at the barn in only a few seconds. Applejack ushered everyone inside and then closed the door, locking it.

“Alright, Ah think this'll work,” Applejack said walking to stand in between Rarity and Fluttershy, “So, before we get ta explainin things, yes what happened last night was real.”

“You knew exactly what I was going to ask first,” Dash said, “I mean, I had a feeling, but...”

“It's okay,” Fluttershy said, “The first time you see a labyrinth is always terrifying. I was traumatized after I saw my first one. Applejack and Rarity saved me right before I gained the magic of harmony.”

“The magic of harmony?” Spike asked, “Is that what you guys used last night?”

Rarity nodded, “I believe we're getting to the main point of this meeting, hm?”

Applejack and Fluttershy nodded in agreement. Before anyone could ask anything, the three of them closed their eyes and began glowing. They grew till they were a few feet larger and more slender, and in a white flash, what was standing there weren't a unicorn, earth pony, and pegasus. Now what stood there were three beautiful alicorns wearing regalia similar to Princess Celestia. They weren't as large as Celestia, but they were almost half her height. Fluttershy's regalia was green and looked like trees, and even her crown looked more like a circlet made of leaves. Her gemstone was light green.

Twilight was once again amazed by how lovely they were. The epitome of beauty, grace, and strength. Their manes and tails had grown in length and volume, making all three of them looking like princesses.

“What in the world are you...” Spike asked.

“We're called Elements of Harmony,” Applejack said, “Guardians empowered by the magic of harmony. Ah represent the Element of Honesty.”

“I represent the Element of Generosity,” Rarity stated.

“And I represent the Element of Kindness,” Fluttershy said.

“The magic of harmony is what transforms you into these...” Dash asked.

“Well, you're partially right,” Rarity said, “These aren't transformations though.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“The magic of harmony evolved us,” Fluttershy stated, “When we were chosen by the magic of harmony, we were turned into these. It's the magic of harmony that allows us to take on our original forms when not fighting.”

“That's why I sensed illusion magic,” Spike said, “You three use magic to revert back into your original forms, but you're still alicorns.”

Applejack nodded, “Ah was an earth pony in my previous life, Rarity was a unicorn, and Fluttershy was a pegasus.”

“Hold on,” Twilight said, “I thought the Elements of Harmony were a myth.”

Rarity chuckled, “I think it's pretty obvious now that they're anything but a myth.”

“Then... does that mean nightmares are real too?” Twilight asked slowly. The three alicorns looked down seriously.

“Ah'm afraid so, Twilight,” Applejack said, “Ah'm sure y'all can guess, but they're the reason fer the disappearances here in Ponyville.”

“Were those things from last night nightmares?” Spike asked.

“Those were avatars,” Rarity explained, “They were spawned from a nightmare, but they're more like servants.”

“The nightmare is a creature made from dark emotions,” Applejack explained, “Feelins like ill placed rage, deep sadness, envy, and suicidal thoughts are all what create and attract nightmares.”

“Wait,” Dash said, “What do you mean by that?”

“Remember the mass suicide last year in Manehatten?” Fluttershy said, “That was a nightmare. Unfortunately we weren't able to get there in time.”

“So they're are nightmares in other places besides Ponyville?” Twilight asked, “Like Canterlot?”

“Definitely Canterlot,” Applejack stated, “That's why we need ta find the remaining Elements an' the chosen pony.”

“So they're are more of you?” Spike asked.

“Supposedly there are two more Elements of Harmony out there,” Rarity said, “Loyalty and Laughter, bu they haven't awakened yet.”

“There's also a chosen pony who's supposed to be able to unify all five Elements and awaken the true magic of the world,” Fluttershy explained, “We don't know what that means exactly, but we do know that this pony will only be able to awaken once all five Elements of Harmony have awakened and gather as one.”

“You guys seem to be taking all of this pretty seriously,” Spike said standing on his back legs and folding his arms, “I mean, it is serious, but you guys are doing a pretty good job so far, right?”

“You would think,” Fluttershy said looking away, “But the nightmares aren't the main threat.”

“What? Is there some sort of super nightmare out there?” Dash asked, apparently trying to joke, but no one was laughing.

“That's exactly right,” Applejack said, “The queen nightmare, Nightmare Moon.”

That struck a cord with Twilight. The story she read, “The Mare in the Moon”, was that real?

“She's supposed to descend on a day we call Nightmare Night,” Rarity stated, “While we can fight small nightmare and avatars with ease, only the chosen pony has the power to defeat Nightmare Moon.”

“What happens if you don't find this chosen pony before Nightmare Night?” Twilight asked.

“Nightmare Moon is a nightmare so powerful that she can envelop the entire planet in a labyrinth,” Fluttershy said, “If we can't defeat her, not just Ponyville, and not just Equestria, but Planet Earth as a whole is doomed.”

Twilight felt the color drain from her face when she heard that, and if the silence she got from Spike and Dash was a sign, they felt the same thing as her.

“We had hoped that the mayor would keep this issue a personal one,” Applejack said, “Sadly once the disappearances started there was no way ta keep it quiet. We knew that eventually the investigator would learn about the nightmares, which sure enough...”

“Sorry...” Spike said looking down.

“It's not your fault, Spike,” Twilight said, “Like they said, we would find out sooner or later.”

“Actually, you knowing about this makes life easier on us,” Rarity said, “Now we don't have to keep working in secret.”

“That's another thing,” Dash said walking over to Applejack, who she now had to slightly look up to see, “I'm your best friend Applejack. Why didn't you tell me about all of this?”

Applejack looked away in shame, “Ah'm sorry Dash. Ah wanted ta tell ya fer the longest time, but we were all in agreement that the less ponies that knew about this the better.

“Imagine if everyone in Ponyville knew about the nightmares, that creatures lurkin in the shadows were constantly watchin them. Do ya think that they'd be able ta sleep soundly knowin the truth? Can you sleep soundly now that you know the truth?”

It was a question directed at Dash, but Twilight knew that it applied to her and Spike as well. The only way Twilight was able to get to sleep was by thinking about Applejack. If she didn't know that there was somepony fighting these creatures to protect her she'd never get any sleep.

Dash stepped back relenting, “Okay, you got that,” she said, “I'm still irritated at you though.”

“So now that you know,” Rarity said, “What are you going to do? Are you going to continue your investigation?”

Twilight looked up at Spike, who was in deep thought. This news changed everything she thought she knew about the world she lived in, and she didn't know what to think. She could only imagine what was going on in Spike's mind.

“I need to take some time to think about this,” Spike said, “This is a lot to take in.”

“Ah understand,” Applejack said, “We're sorry ta lay all of this on ya.”

“No, I'm glad I know,” Spike said, “I came here to investigate the disappearances in Ponyville. Well, I learned the truth. I just don't know what to do with it, is all,” he turned to Twilight, “I'm heading back to the library. I'll see you later, okay?”

Twilight nodded and watched as Spike left.

“I'm gonna head out too,” Dash said, “I know I said that I'd help today, but...”

“Ah figured,” Applejack said, “If ya ever wanna talk, let me know, okay?”

Dash nodded and turned to Twilight, “I'll wait for you outside,” she said. Twilight nodded to her as a reply, still unable to find her voice. When Dash left, Twilight just stood there looking down, her heart racing.

“What's the matter?” Fluttershy asked, catching Twilight's attention. She looked up at the three alicorns looking at her with concerned expressions, and all of a sudden the fear in her heart slipped away. These three would protect her, so there was nothing to worry about.

“Nothing... I was just...”

Applejack walked over to Twilight and lightly caressed her cheek. Normally she would flinch from the touch, but something about Applejack put her heart at ease. She looked up and saw Applejack smiling softly, almost in the way the Princess would.

“Mah offer extends ta you as well,” Applejack said, “If ya need anythin at all, come see me. Ah'll take care of you.”

Twilight looked at Rarity and Fluttershy, both of them nodding in agreement and smiling. Twilight smiled to them as well, and did something she never thought she'd do with anyone other than Spike or the Princess.

She hugged Applejack...

“Thank you so much,” she said, tears in her eyes.

“Like Ah said earlier, ya ain't gotta worry 'bout it,” Applejack said softly, “As an Element of Harmony, it's a job that Ah take great pride in.”

After saying her good byes to all three of them, she trotted out of the barn, where Dash was sitting on a nearby block of hay waiting for her. She jumped off and trotted over to Twilight.

“So what do you think about all of this?” Dash asked.

“It's scary,” Twilight said, “But as long as they're fighting, we have nothing to worry about, right?”

“I guess,” Dash said shrugging her shoulders. Twilight could sense that something was bothering her though.

“Dash? What's on your mind?” Twilight asked.

“You'll probably think it's silly,” Dash said, but Twilight shook her head urging Dash to go on, “Well, remember how upset I was that Applejack didn't tell me?”

“I remember,” Twilight said as they started walking back to town, “You two are friends, right?”

“Best friends,” Dash said, “She tells me everything usually, and I promised that I'd always be there for her. I guess... I don't know. Somewhere in the back of my mind I feel like... I could fight too...”

“Fight... you mean as one of them?” Twilight asked, a little surprised with how genuine she seemed.

“Like I said, stupid right?” Dash said with a laugh, “But imagine if we could transform like that? You and me as alicorns, fighting nightmares and saving lives, just like Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Wouldn't that be amazing?”

“I admit, it would be nice to be strong like them,” Twilight said, “All my life I've depended on others. I'm weak, afraid of even the lightest touch, and besides knowing a lot about unicorn magic, I can't really defend myself. Maybe if I had power like that I could be strong too...”

“Too bad we're not Elements of Harmony, huh?” Rainbow Dash said.

“Yeah, too bad,” Twilight said looking down, “Dash? Are we... friends?”

The questions sort of shocked Dash, but she smiled, “Well, I think you're pretty cool. You like reading, so that's something we have in common. Why, do you... wanna be friends?”

Twilight thought hard about that. After Rainbow Dash stood by her last night, she really began to trust her. She was still reluctant, as this was how it started with Trixie, but maybe...

“I... yeah...” Twilight said smiling to Dash, “I do...”

Rainbow Dash smiled, and then looked up at the sky, “Whenever Spike can't be there, I'll look out for you, Twilight. I promise.”

Twilight looked up at the sky standing next to her new friend, “Thanks Dash,” she said. It was small, but she was now a little better off than she was back in Canterlot.

She had one friend.