Author's Notes:

I know that it's universally established that Equestria's god is Faust, but for this story I'm going in a more traditional direction, so the characters can be related to better. Just a note so people will know that the reference to "Lord" in the story is intentional.

Where I Can Feel Safe

After seeing Twilight and Dash off, the trio reverted forms and went behind the barn to plan their next move.

“Fluttershy raised a good point,” Rarity said, “If there are avatars inside the Everfree Forest...”

“Then there's a nightmare somewhere in there,” Applejack finished, “Fuck... we just got finished fightin a nightmare two nights ago...”

“That's how it is though, right?” Rarity asked, “Remember, the last nightmare we fought didn't have avatars, and it was a blue type.”

“So it might have been an evolved avatar,” Fluttershy said, “What did the avatar's last night look like?”

“Hornets,” Applejack said.

“The nightmare we fought before was also a bug type,” Rarity said, “Looks like we have a connection.”

“Alright, Fluttershy, yer done with work today, right?” Applejack asked.

“I finished everything early,” Fluttershy said, “Want me to investigate?”

Applejack nodded, “If ya find the labyrinth, use yer magic ta let Rarity and Ah know.”

“Got it,” Fluttershy said.

“Be careful, Fluttershy,” Rarity urged. Fluttershy smiled softly and flew off, “Why did you send her?”

“Cause she was a pegasus,” Applejack explained, “Even with her magic concealed she can fly. She'll have an easier time gettin outta there if she gets in trouble.”

Rarity looked away in frustration. Applejack understood her concern. They were good friends from what she observed, and Fluttershy had only been an Element of Harmony for two weeks. She was their best chance of finding the nightmare though.

“I'm going into town,” Rarity said stretching.

“Ya mean goin ta see Spike, right?” Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.

“What if I am?” Rarity said turning to walk off, “Are you going to try and stop me?”

“If ya keep gettin involved with that dragon yer gonna get in trouble,” Applejack warned, “We're Elements of Harmony now, that means-”

“What? We can't enjoy life anymore? I'm sorry if you're okay with giving up the simple pleasures for your job, but I'm not.”

With that said, Rarity walked off into town. Applejack understood where Rarity was coming from, but she was still asking for trouble. As Elements of Harmony, they had to make sacrifices, something that Rarity hadn't seemed to grasp yet.

And she was supposed to represent Generosity...

Damn Applejack! Just because she got the magic of harmony first she felt like she could write the rules for what it meant to be an Element!

Rarity didn't hate Applejack. She didn't like Applejack, but she respected her as a pony. But they had two completely different outlooks on the magic of harmony. If Applejack had her way, they'd walk around with their wings and horns out and in full regalia all the time.

Rarity was determined to live a semi normal life while she could.

When she reached the park, she saw Spike sitting on a bench. He looked like he was in deep thought, as if his entire world had been torn to pieces. Based off of what happened to him last night and what he learned, she could guess that his life had been torn to pieces.

And as much as she hated to admit it, Applejack was right about one thing. It was her fault.

She felt horrible. Just because she wanted to get to know Spike on a personal level she got him involved in their fight. But it would have happened without her intervention, right? If he had gone to the Everfree Forest by himself, then he would have gotten caught in the labyrinth and be one of the victims.

She saved his life. That's what she did. Applejack was wrong, and Rarity wouldn't leave Spike alone. She got him into this mess, thus he was her responsibility.

“Hey handsome,” Rarity said trotting over to his bench. Spike looked her way and smiled, and his eyes lit up a bit.

“Hey,” he said, “You came searching for me?”

“I felt bad for getting you involved,” Rarity said sitting down next to him, “My intention wasn't for you to know what I am.”

“I figured,” Spike said, “You were hoping I wouldn't find out so you could be a regular pony around me, right?”

Rarity sighed, “When you say it like that, it makes me sound like I was deceiving you,” Rarity said sadly, “Well, in a way I suppose I was...”

“I didn't see it like that,” Spike said, “Actually, that's the thing. I wanted to see you again so I could understand you better.”

“Understand me?” Rarity asked looking at Spike in shock, “What do you mean?”

“After you... transformed... you looked so sad. I had to see you so I could understand why, but now I think I know. Rarity, what's it like being an Element of Harmony?”

“What's it like, hm?” Rarity looked up thinking of the words, “Would you like to know the glamorous lie or the harsh truth?”

“I'd like to know what you think of it,” Spike said, placing a claw on her hoof. She looked down at his claw, and then met his gaze. Her heart was racing so much looking at him. She could easily fall for this dragon.

“What I think of it? Well, it's not the most glamorous job in the world,” Rarity explained, “Unless you enjoy throwing yourself at monsters every night or so, risking death, and you hate your social life...”

“Sounds like a rough gig,” Spike said, “How did it even happen?”

“It's a horrible cliche,” Rarity said with a smile.

“This whole thing sounds like it came straight out of a fantasy novel,” Spike said laughing, “I'm not going to be surprised by anything.”

“Fair enough,” Rarity said also laughing, “It started with a dream.”

“A dream?”

Rarity nodded, “I dreamed that I met a large alicorn surrounded by a bright light,” she continued, “This pony told me that I had the magic of harmony within me, and that in a time of crises it would awaken, causing me to ascend.

“That following night my sister, Sweetie Belle, was in a play at her school. We walked home together, but accidentally fell into a labyrinth. At first we were just attacked by avatars, but soon we ran into the nightmare. Applejack appeared and started fighting it, but she was losing. That's when...”

Applejack was thrown onto the floor in front of Rarity and Sweetie Belle, the latter of the two crying her eyes out.

“Come on!” Rarity screamed, “Get up!”

She looked up at the monster before her, a large grotesque looking puppet with bladed arms. It raised its arm and was about to slam it down onto the ponies before it, but it was stopped by a golden shield.

“What... in tarnation...” Applejack said slowly.

“This is...” Rarity said slowly standing up.

Awaken... Element of Generosity...

“Element of Generosity...?” Rarity said, remembering her dream. Was all of that... real?

She was then engulfed in a bright light, and she felt a great power overtake her and consume her. Her entire body started growing, and blue regalia made of some sort of diamond appeared on her body, complete with necklace, horseshoes, and a tiara. Poor Sweetie Belle fainted after seeing her sister transform.

“Yer... the second Element...?” Applejack asked. Rarity looked down at Applejack, and then up at the monster. There would be time to figure all of this out later, but right now something told her that she needed to take care of this monster first.

“So that's how it happens...” Spike said thoughtfully.

“That's one way,” Rarity said, “Applejack said that it was different for her.”

“Do you know who that alicorn was?” Spike asked. Rarity shook her head.

“No, neither does Applejack. We call her Aurora,” Rarity said, “After the fight, she came to both of us and told us that our mission was to work with the remaining three Elements and the chosen pony to stop Nightmare Night.”

“And just like that you were thrown into the fray?” Spike asked.

“Pretty much,” Rarity stated, “Sweetie Belle woke up when we got back home, but she didn't remember a thing. I always assumed she blocked it out of her memory. I wish I could block it from my memory...”

Spike looked down thinking real hard about something. What he said next changed everything.

“What if I could fight too?”

Rarity looked at Spike wide eyed. Did he just ask that?

“Y-you aren't serious, are you?” Rarity asked.

“Why should you have to fight by yourself? I mean, you aren't fighting by yourself, but maybe if I were there too-”

“No!” Rarity shouted, catching the attention of other ponies in the park. Rarity lead Spike behind a tree where they had more privacy before she continued, “Are you mental?! Fighting the nightmares isn't something just anyone can do!”

“I understand that,” Spike said seriously, “But you, Applejack, and that other pony Fluttershy are fighting so hard by yourselves, who's there to look after you?”

“I already got you involved in this more than I should have! If you die fighting the nightmares then-”

“You're an alicorn, and I'm a dragon,” Spike said, “You can empower me. My mom gave me a fraction of her magic, which is how I can send messages via dragon fire. You can add to my magic too, giving me the power to fight the nightmares.”

Rarity shook her head, “No. No, I will not,” she said adamantly.

“Rarity-”

“It's bad enough I have to do this, but I don't have a choice! I'm not going to-” she stopped herself once she realized what she said right in front of Spike. Based off the expression on his face, Spike heard her loud and clear.

“Rarity... you don't...”

“I got you into this mess,” Rarity said trembling, “You are now my responsibility, so I'll protect you. For now, just stay out of the labyrinths.”

She galloped away, unable to hold in her tears. She knew running wasn't right, but she had to get away from that dragon before she did something she would regret. She almost did just now.

When he offered to fight by her side, she almost said “yes”...

It was starting to get dark, and Fluttershy still hadn't found the labyrinth. She was starting to get tired, so she sat down under a tree to rest.

Unlike Rarity and Applejack, Fluttershy was quite comfortable in the Everfree Forest. She practically lived here, with her cabin right next to the entrance and the amount of times she went inside to help an animal. There was only one thing about the Everfree Forest that disturbed her, and it wasn't even exclusive to the dark forest.

Nightmares...

Two weeks ago, she was a pegasus living as an animal caretaker and vet. She was happy with her simple life, one that she worked hard to get. She wouldn't have ever thought that she would be a fighter, as she had no intention to ever fight ever again.

Yet two weeks ago she was thrown out of her comfort zone after accidentally creating a labyrinth from her own darkness. If Rarity and Applejack hadn't come to her rescue, she would have died.

Why did they come to her rescue? Why couldn't fate just let her fade from existence.

“Well, no point in crying about it now...” she said getting up. She had spent all of the first day of her ascension crying about the life she now had to give up, until the reality hit her that she was no longer the pony she used to be. Now she could be someone else entirely.

Feeling a little bolder, she called on the magic of harmony, shifting into her true form. She didn't want to fight it, but she knew that if she transformed the nightmare would come to her quicker.

Sure enough, she felt a shift in the forest immediately.

“Lord, please be with me,” she said closing her eyes, praying, “Protect me as I engage this abomination.”

Opening her eyes, which now blazed with courage, she galloped deeper into the forest. She wasn't as skilled as Rarity or as experienced as Applejack, but she wouldn't let that hold her back. Her courage would guide her.

Spike seemed a little off when he came home, Twilight noticed. Normally he would go right up to her, asking if she was okay. Nine times out of ten he would hug her, even knowing that she tensed up a bit. This time was different though. He went right up into his room, saying he needed some time alone.

He was probably still dealing with things himself.

That didn't help her though. Sure, she respected his need for privacy, but she needed someone. She was still terrified of the nightmares, and the possibility that they could leave the Everfree Forest. It was so bad that she couldn't focus on anything.

Realizing that she wasn't going to get any reading done, Twilight decided to go for another walk through Ponyville. She didn't really get to soak in her new surroundings last night because she was so frantic in searching for Spike, but now she could take her time and really get a feel for the place.

The town was very peaceful at night. Unlike in Canterlot, where crime seemed to pick up around this hour, Ponyville was almost more peaceful at night. She heard sounds she wouldn't have heard before. Crickets, bats, basic nature, all sounds that got drowned out by how loud and bustling Canterlot was.

She stopped in the middle of the town square and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Even the air seemed fresher, if that made any sense. Maybe moving here wouldn't be so bad after all.

“Do you like it here?” a high voice said. Twilight turned around and saw somepony trotting over to her. She was a pink earth pony with a dark pink mane and tail that was so curly and full it almost looked like a pink cloud. Her Cutie Mark was three balloons, two blue and one yellow, and combined with her deep blue eyes and her bright smile, she had an extremely serene feel about her, as if she was a representation of Ponyville itself.

“Um...” Twilight started, unable to really get a word out. Something about this pony seemed out of this world.

“Sorry if I startled you,” the pink pony said, “I saw you and your dragon friend when you moved here yesterday.”

“I see,” Twilight said, thinking back to a time when she may have seen this pony, but unable to remember, “I'm Twilight Sparkle.”

“Twilight... Sparkle...” the pink pony said taking her name in, “My name is Pinkamena.”

Whoa, Twilight thought. That was such an exotic name. Pretty, and it matched her, but it made Twilight really wonder who this pony was.

“It's nice to meet you, Pinkamena,” Twilight said, “I'd rather not shake your hoof. No offense, but-”

“None taken,” Pinkamena said suddenly, “Haphephobia is a very real issue. You shouldn't be ashamed of how you are.”

“T-Thanks...?” Twilight said, realizing that she never told Pinkamena about her phobia.

Pinkamena trotted next to Twilight and looked up at the moon, still smiling peacefully, “So tell me, what do you think of Ponyville?”

“Honestly, I love it here,” Twilight said, “Nothing like Canterlot. The ponies here are nice, the air is clean and magic free, there's just so much to take in. What about you? I can tell you're not from around here either?”

Pinkamena laughed, a high yet pleasant sound, “What gave it away? My name?” Twilight nodded, getting another giggle from the pink mare, “You're right, I'm not from here. This place is perfect for ponies like us though,” Pinkamena looked back up at the moon, “If there's something you're trying to escape, this place will keep you safe. Here, you can be whoever you want to be,” she closed her eyes, still smiling, “Just forget all of your troubles, all of your pain, and be who you want.”

“Uh huh...” as much as this pony interested her, there was something about her that was just... off. Twilight was started to get a little freaked out, but she kept it to herself, mainly to not hurt Pinkamena's feelings.

“I'm so happy you came here, Twilight,” Pinkamena said, “You and I are going to be great friends, I know it,” Pinkamena turned to Twilight and winked, and then began trotting away, “I'll see you again soon, Twilight.”

With that, Twilight was alone again. That Pinkamena confused her. How did she know she was Haphephobic? Did she really see her when she and Spike arrived in Ponyville? And what did she mean by “trying to escape”? Did she think Twilight was running away from something coming here? Was Twilight running away from something?

Twilight started walking through the town again, this time making her way to Sweet Apple Acres. Hopefully Applejack was still up. She felt safe near her, almost like she was a stand in for the Princess.

She was an alicorn. Maybe that's where that came from.

At night, the farm was absolutely stunning. It was even more peaceful than the main town. Twilight looked at the small house and saw the light was still on. Good, she thought, that meant Applejack was still up.

There was so much she wanted to ask her.

As she made her way to the house, she found herself hit with the sweetest scent. Apples, and a lot of them. Before she knew it, she had strayed off her original course toward the house and ended up in the main orchard. She looked up and saw the biggest and healthiest apple tree she had ever seen.

“Ain't it beautiful,” Twilight heard. She turned slightly and saw Applejack walking over to her.

“Did you grow this tree yourself?” Twilight asked.

“Macintosh and Ah grew all of these trees,” Applejack said, “Ah was gonna hit this one next. Wanna try one?”

“Um, s-sure,” Twilight said, “But how are you going to-”

Before Twilight could finish, Applejack gave the tree a hard buck with her hind legs. The tree itself was unfazed, but all of the apples fell down into baskets Twilight hadn't noticed before. She was stunned. Was that from the magic of harmony?

“Go on,” Applejack said smiling, “Take one on the house.”

Twilight used her magic to grab one. It was deep red, and significantly larger than most apples. When Twilight took a bite she was almost floored. It should have been illegal for apples to taste this good.

Applejack laughed, “Ah take it ya like it?”

“I love it!” Twilight said taking another bite, “What sort of magical aid did you use?”

“Ah didn't use magic,” Applejack said, “Some things need ta be done the old fashioned way. Just 'cause Ah'm an alicorn don't change how this farm is gonna be run.”

“The ponies of Canterlot could learn a thing about that,” Twilight said.

“Ah agree,” Applejack said turning back to the house, “Come on. Macintosh will take care of this in the mornin.”

Twilight followed Applejack to her house, still taking bites out of her apple. She'd have to get a few to take home with her.

Applejack's house was pretty cozy and old fashioned. Twilight found herself looking at the pictures on the fireplace. She saw a picture of Applejack with her sister and big brother, a picture of an elderly earth pony with a green coat and white mane, and pictures of what Twilight assumed were Applejack's parents.

She stopped on one picture that really caught her attention. It looked like Applejack, but she was wearing a fancy green and white dress, her mane was out and wavy like when she was an alicorn, and she was wearing make-up. Next to her was a tall unicorn stallion with a short red and white mane, yellow coat, wearing a fancy black and white tuxedo.

“Who's this?” Twilight asked. Applejack immediately took the picture and turned away, hugging the picture.

“He's... a friend...” Applejack said, clearly swallowing a sob, “So, ya thirsty? We saved some cider from the last cider season.”

Applejack put the picture back onto the fireplace, and then trotted into the kitchen. Twilight looked at the picture for a second, and then followed Applejack. On the table were two cups of cider, and Applejack's entire mood was different.

“Ah got one cup of hard cider an' one of soft,” Applejack said, “Ah'm good either way, so which one do ya want?”

“Soft,” Twilight said, “I'm only nineteen, so...”

“Responsible, Ah like that,” Applejack said taking the cup on the right, “Apple Bloom could learn a thing or two “bout that. Ah still catch her tryin ta sneak a taste of the hard stuff.”

Twilight took the other cup and sat down. Much like the apple, the cider was heavenly.

“Um... There was something I wanted to ask you,” Twilight said slowly, “About last night...”

“Go on,” Applejack said sitting down.

“Rainbow Dash and I were running into the Everfree Forest, but when those avatars attacked you were right there. That would mean you were following us, right?”

“That's right.”

“I guess I was wondering... why?”

“Shouldn't it be enough that Ah was worried 'bout ya?” Applejack challenged, making Twilight feel a little bad. Here she was questioning the motives of her savior, not even knowing why. What Applejack said changed everything.

“No, Ah guess it wouldn't be enough, would it?” Applejack said softly, “Ah suppose Ah should explain a few things, since it may involve ya at some point.”

“How does it involve me?” Twilight asked.

Applejack sighed and downed the rest of her cider, an action that startled the young unicorn, “Come on, hun. Ah think there's some things ya need ta know."

Applejack lead Twilight back to the living room, but this time she walked over to the bookshelf and pulled a book out slightly. Straight out of a fantasy novel, the bookshelf moved to the side revealing a secret staircase.

Applejack shifted into her alicorn form, and started walking into the chamber. Twilight slowly followed after her, into what turned into a secret basement. If she hadn't seen it herself, she wouldn't believe it.

The room was a library. The ground was golden, and there were a number of magical artifacts in the room that looked active. In the middle of the room was a large red spell book.

“This is incredible...” Twilight said looking around, “It's like where Starswirl the Bearded practiced magic,” Applejack turned to her with a raised eyebrow, “Um, at least I believe this is where he would have done practiced.”

Applejack laughed and walked over to the large red book. She opened it, looking for a particular page it seemed. When she found it she placed a hoof on it.

“Got it,” Applejack said, “Twilight, take a look at this.”

Twilight walked over to the book as Applejack moved to the side. The entry spoke of the Elements of Harmony, and how the essences of Honesty, Generosity, Kindness, Laughter, and Loyalty would come together and be empowered by the true magic of Equestria.

What caught her eye was the entry about the chosen pony, who would awaken the true magic, and lead in the fight against Nightmare Moon, and put an end to chaos.

“You all mentioned this earlier,” Twilight said, “This chosen pony, and the true magic of Equestria.”

“Yer a student from Celestia's School fer Gifted Unicorns, right?” Applejack asked.

“That's right,” Twilight said turning to the alicorn, “How did you...”

“Ya came from Canterlot, yer a unicorn, an' ya seem ta be on first name basis with the Princess,” Applejack reasoned, “It wasn't hard ta put tagether. What do ya know 'bout Cutie Marks?”

“Well, they're a reaction of a pony's inner talent,” Twilight explained, “Based off of Bart's Laws of Magic, every pony in Equestria has a particular skill that they excel at, and upon realizing what that skill is, the magic within the pony becomes more focused resulting in a Cutie Mark.”

“That's pretty good,” Applejack said, “But does a Cutie Mark only form based off a pony's special skill?”

Twilight shook her head, “Not at all. In fact, sometimes a Cutie Mark can be formed based off a realization of what the pony wants to do with their life, a realization of their purpose in the world; there have even been cases of Cutie Marks spontaneously forming after certain events in a pony's life. Because of this, there are a lot of discrepancies of what exactly a Cutie Mark is and what forms it.”

“Ya clearly know yer stuff,” Applejack said.

“I did a research paper on Cutie Marks in my eighth year,” Twilight admitted blushing, “I got an A plus for it.”

“It shows,” Applejack said, “Next question, how did ya get yer Cutie Mark, and what's it for?”

“Well, I got my Cutie Mark taking the entrance exam,” Twilight said, “I was taking the demonstration exam when there was an explosion in the next room. My magic went crazy, and Princess Celestia had to come to me personally to calm me down. Apparently my Cutie Mark appeared while my magic was out of control. The Princess made me her personal student after that.”

“Ah see...” Applejack said thoughtfully.

“Um, I don't mean to be rude, but what does any of this have to do with me?” Twilight asked.

“Turn the page,” Applejack said, “It'll all make sense after that.”

Twilight did, her heart racing. When she looked on the next page, she had to step back. It was her Cutie Mark! It wasn't colored, but the large explosion of magic, surrounded by five small stars. If the explosion was magenta, it would look just like it.

“W-what's this?” Twilight asked, looking at the alicorn in fear. Said alicorn sighed and looked into Twilight's eyes.

“That, Twilight, is the symbol that represents the chosen pony,” Applejack answered.

“You mean...” Twilight started, unable to keep from trembling.

“If mah theory is correct,” Applejack said, “Mah friends an' Ah won't need ta search fer the chosen pony, cause she's standin right here.”