Title: The Seventh Element
Rating: T
Chapter: Chapter 6 Braeburn on the scene!
AN: I’m so happy that you all like my story! So, to thank you, I will post this chapter early! YAY!
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Twilight rushed to her mentor’s side, “Princess! What has happened to you?”

Princess Celestia was clutching her stomach while groaning in pain, “nothing!” She screamed out at Twilight, making Twilight flinch back. “Ugh… Out of nowhere I just… got these cramps in my stomach… and I just don’t want to do anything, and everyone just has to annoy me… Why does everyone have to bother me he heeeeee…” Celestia groaned again as another cramp hit.

Twilight helped Celestia to her chair, “And what the fuck happened in here!?” Celestia took deep breaths then used her unicorn magic to cast a calming charm on herself. “Sorry, all day today, I have been getting these cramps. Forgive my… Outburst.”

A couple of guards came inside and started cleaning up the mess in the dining hall as everyone else took a seat at the long dining table. “Never mind it your highness, think nothing of it.” Rarity stated as she adjusted her skirt. Everyone else was in a silent rut, still unsure as to what happened in the last hour. “Well, since no one shall state what has happened, I shall emphasize on the subject.” She checked her hair for nonexistent flaws, “all I know is, that Big Macin- Mac.” She cleared her throat over the stutter, “Big Mac and I had arrived here in the dining hall for dinner, but we arrived to see the horrid display of Rainbow Dash and…” She paused over the name of the blonde woman, still having very… unsavory feelings towards her.

“Blueblood.” Rainbow spat out.

Rarity nodded to Rainbow, “Thank you Rainbow Dash. The horrid display of Rainbow Dash and Blueblood, throwing pastries and china at each other. Prince Lunar had stopped the fight and well… Here we are.”

Celestia nodded to Rarity as a guard wiped Celestia’s plate clean from the crumbs of pastries and bits of broken china. “Thank you Rarity, that will be sufficient.”

Celestia wiped her forehead, “I had hoped that when Blueblood would return from his hunting trip, that h- she would have come back with a better attitude.” She sighed, “But apparently, she came back with an even worse one.”

Twilight fidgeted as her gaze fell on Rainbow Dash, she really didn’t want to be the enforcer, but Lunar did tell her to do it… Wait, why do I have to do anything he says? I don’t have to do anything. Twilight smiled then relaxed in the chair as the guards finished cleaning the dining hall.

“Everyone, I would like your attention please?”

The kitchens…

“Und I have told you, you cannot touch anyving!”

Pinkie Pie was sitting on a stool with a large cook in front of her. The cook was named, Schnitzel, a very large man with girth to spare, and height used to tower over anyone, and anything. He had dirty blonde locks with light blue eyes, and a nice large face. He wore a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, white and blue striped trousers with a dirty white apron, and black rubber shoes. “But silly, if I don’t touch anything, then how can I help out with the cupcakes?”

Schnitzel face palmed himself, “Oh Celestia mir helfen…” He growled then placed his hands on his hips, “Rosa, bitte. I don’t vant any help!”

Pinkie cocked her head, “why do you call me Rosa? My names Pinkie pie!” She giggled. Pinkie Pie was wearing a pink sleeve-less shirt with sparkles on the hem, green capris, with pink sandals. Her hair looked as crazy as it always was. And like always, her cutie mark showed through the fabric.

Schnitzel sighed, “I have alveady told you. In my region we speak another language and pink in my region means Rosa.”

“Aww! You gave me a nickname! You must really like me!”

“Nein! No I do not! Ich hasse dich! Sie werden mich nicht allein lassen! Haben Sie nicht einen Anhaltspunkt, dass ich nicht wollen, dass Sie in meiner Nähe!?”

“I have no idea what you said!”

Schnitzel sighed, “Just… Just sit there und don’t touch anyving else! I have to get veady for my shipment of afels, all the vay from Afelloosa!”

Pinkie Pie giggled, “I can’t understand a word you’re saying!” Schnitzel was about to yell at her again, but a small boy had just entered the kitchen, wearing similar clothes to Schnitzel.

“Vatti! The shipment of Afels is here.”

Schnitzel turned and saw his tiny son, Strudel, in the doorway, with some forms in his scrawny arms, “Ah! Strudel! Lassen Sie die Äpfel in die Burg kommen noch?”

“Ja Vatti! Sie möchten, dass Sie diese unterschreiben.” Schnitzel grabbed the papers and signed them, “Alvight! He signed! Bring them in!”

Pinkie Pie had many question marks surrounding her, “Hey! What did you say? What did he say? Why are you confusing me?”

Pinkie heard some grunting so she turned her head towards the door, and there she saw a man carrying a huge crate of Appleloosa’s Apples. The man placed the crate on the ground and placed an elbow on it, leaning sideways onto it. “Whole crate of the finest apples on Appleloosa!” He said with a thick accent, just like Apple Jack.

“Wunderbar!” Schnitzel gave the papers to the man, as he inspected the crate. “None of the afels were harmed, ja?”

The man checked the papers, “Each one is perfect!” He folded the papers and stuck his hand out, “Name’s Braeburn! Part of the Apple Family!” He tucked the papers under his arm, “My carriage had broken down when ah arrived with yer shipment!” He scratched the back of his head, “So ah’m stuck here for awhile!”

Schnitzel then continued to make small talk about the apples with Braeburn, but Pinkie’s mind was on Braeburn. It seemed like the phenomenon had went as far as Appleloosa. Brae burn had long light amber hair, tied back into a ponytail, light green eyes just like Apple Jack and Big Mac, and same skin tone. He wore light brown cowboy hat, with light blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, slightly unbuttoned, brown leather vest, brown trouser pants and cowboy boots, his red apple cutie mark on his right flank. He was of medium build, not too tall, not too short, and he was muscular, but not too much. Just right.

“Braeburn!” Pinkie jumped up and hugged him, “Hiyas! It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you!”

Braeburn stood still, but then he finally recognized the girl that was hugging him, “Pinkie! How could I forget you? You did almost cause a war on Appleloosa!” He snickered as Pinkie giggled, “What’re y’all doing here? Vacationing?”

Pinkie let him go, “no silly! When we all changed into these weird things, we all came here to Canterlot. Why’re you here? How has Appleloosa been? What about the natives? How’ve you been?”

Braeburn laughed and waved a hand, “Whoa Nelly! Calm down, one question at a time!” He turned to Schnitzel, “Y’all wouldn’t mind if ah took mah leave?”

Schnitzel waved a hand, too busy inspecting the apples, “Wunderbar, just take her vith you. She ist driving me crazy! Schnell! Schnell!”

Braeburn tipped his hat and left the kitchens with Pinkie Pie in tow, bouncing happily. They walked into the gardens and Braeburn sat on one of the benches, his feet crossed and his hands behind his head as he leaned against the wall behind the bench. “Alrighty then, you asked…?”

Pinkie pie jolted with the memory, “oh yeah! Why’re you here?”

Braeburn grinned, “had some business con-cern-in’ apples here in Can-ter-lot. Like y’all saw, ah’ve been hard at work deliverin’ the apples we harvested before winter comes in. Winter should be comin’ in a week or so.” He nodded, “anymore?”

“Course!” Pinkie thought for a moment, “How’s Appleloosa?”

Braeburn grinned widely, “won-der-ous! The crop has been pretty boun-tee-full, and our apples are known widely round. The Town’s been pretty good; plenty of upgrades, like we got runnin' water everywhere now! No more out houses!”

“That sounds great! How about Little Strong heart? And the rest of the bison? Did they turn too?”

Braeburn blanched, “ahhh… yeah… they turned too… It’s just…”

Pinkie sat with Braeburn, “hmmm? What happened?” Braeburn sighed as he sat up, his hands pressed together and his eyes darting around, “something happened.”

Braeburn nodded, “ahhh… Well, ah tried to be… More than friends with Little Strong heart… And it was fine for a-while, but…” He sighed, “it didn’t work out.” He stared ahead at the cutie mark crusaders, who were getting ready to go to dinner, “there just ain’t any passion. When we kissed, ah didn’t feel anything.” Pinkie pie thought for a moment.

Well, he couldn’t just stay if he didn’t feel anything. So I guess it was for the best. But that’s wrong to think that way... I don’t think it’s really good for a couple to split but… Pinkie nodded, “Well, as long as you’re okay.”

Braeburn sighed and nodded, obviously still thinking about his failed relationship with Little Strong heart. He then smiled and went back to leaning, “well, enough of that! T’aint fair to be all gloomy with a friend.” Pinkie nodded, “looks like everypony else is goin’ somewhere.”

Pinkie pie jumped up, “oh yeah! It’s dinner time!” She turned on her heel, “I’m sure Apple Jack would like to see you, wanna come to dinner?”

Braeburn rubbed his chin in a comical way, “Hmmm… My day is pretty filled…” He threw his hand up then smiled, “sure! Why not?” He stood, “lead the way!”

Back at the dining hall…

Pinkie pie had burst through the door, bouncing in her usual way with Braeburn walking casually behind her. Apple Jack, who had entered the dining hall before Pinkie Pie saw her cousin, and she jumped up and hugged him tightly, “Braeburn! Good to see ya cus!”

Braeburn hugged her back, “well, shoot, ah didn’t expect to see y’all looking like this in a million years!” He held her at arm’s length and took a look at his cousin. Apple Jack wore blue jeans with brown leather belt, orange vest over a white tee, brown cowgirl boots and brown leather gloves. “ah could barely recognize you!”

Apple Jack slapped his hands away from her, “why are y’all here cus?”

Braeburn shoved his hands into his pockets, “well, ah was out deliverin apples here in Canterlot, mah carriage broke down, and well, ah am ahead of sched-ule.”

Princess Celestia spoke up, “well, we shall repair your carriage. You are welcome to spend as much time here as you need.”

Braeburn internally let out a sigh of relief, “thank ya kindly princess, it would be an honor.” Braeburn sat with Apple Jack and Pinkie at the dining table as Butterscotch flew in with the cutie mark crusaders in his arms. “Whoa!” he pointed at Butterscotch, “don’t ah know y’all from somewhere?”

Butterscotch placed the girls in their chairs, “umm… yes… I used to be…. Fluttershy…” Braeburn blinked then sat back into his chair.

“Well I’ll be damned. It’s happening everywhere.”

Twilight who was across him nodded, “yes, the same thing happened to Lunar. He used to be Princess Luna.”

Braeburn nodded in acknowledgement, his eyes surveying the whole of the group. It felt as if he fell into a slower version of the world, as if every noise was dulled.

He first saw Big Macintosh with Rarity sitting next to him, to him, they looked as if they had been married for years, the way they were teasing each other. Braeburn knew of Big Mac’s little crush on Rarity, due to the letters they often exchanged, and now, he was seeing why Big Mac had a crush on the girl. She was a total knock out to him, and with Pinkie pie chattering to him, he learned that all the clothes worn by most of the others were made by her. Braeburn smirked, yeah, she’s perfect for him. They just had to notice each other’s feelings.

Braeburn also checked out Rainbow Dash and the other Wonderbolts, she looked as if she was having a blast hanging with the Wonderbolts. But Braeburn really looked, and he saw that the Wonderbolts were looking bright and happy, as if it had been a long time since they had been. Braeburn stared sadly at them, Rainbow was clearly not picking up the hints of internal strife, all she sees is just her idols actually talking to her. Maybe she could learn to be better at noticing their pain?

Next he saw Butterscotch, Butterscotch was putting all of his attention into the three girls around him. He looked happy caring for the girls, but the way he smiled, he seemed out of it slightly. Perhaps he needs to spend time with someone. Anyone.

Braeburn then turned to Celestia; she too, looked out of it. But with everything that’s going on, who could blame her? In a day her whole country suffered some kind of curse or something. It’s expected to see her acting like this. But… is that really it?

And finally, Braeburn stared at Twilight, who was staring at her empty plate. She looked as if having an internal battle, and she was losing. She looked slightly agitated, and on edge, but at the same time, lonely and yet, elated. She’s a flurry of emotions, and they needed a trigger to let them out.

Braeburn smiled to himself, not many ponies know this, but when he isn’t being his normal hyperactive self, he is very perceptive of others and their feelings. Hell, most of his family doesn’t even know that about him! He then sighed and let himself fall back into the noise and discussions.

Celestia cleared her throat, “Well everypony, before dinner is served, I just want to clarify some things. We all know December is right around the corner, which mean winter will be in full swing soon.” Everyone nodded, “So I want you all to keep warm and continue on with your duties. Clockwork has already created a schedule for the Pegasi to follow for the weather,” Rainbow nodded, “and I want you all to keep strong. We don’t know how long we’ll be together, or how long this phenomenon will last.”

“But it will go without saying that holidays will go as planned. Hearth’s Warming Eve will still go ahead in Canterlot and even here in the Celestial Palace. We can’t always be working now can we?” Twilight chuckled, “Also, The Grand Galloping Gala has been changed to be held on New Year’s Eve. I expect you all to attend?”

Rarity laughed nervously, “do forgive me princess, but uhh, the last time we were at the gala was well... Quite horrendous.”

Celestia nodded, “I know this. However, I will still hold the Grand Galloping Gala, and should you choose to attend or not is your choice entirely.”

Twilight turned to Celestia, “have no worry Princess, we’ll be sure not to cause a ruckus this time.”

Celestia smiled, “thank you Twilight, but I cannot ask of you and your friends to not be yourselves. All I ask is that this time, you do not destroy the castle.” She placed a hand over her mouth as she laughed, “though, it was quite funny to see all of my animals running through the castle.” She stopped her laughter, remembering that she’s trying to make sure they DON’T do that. “Just make sure you’re not going to destroy the place this time. Okay?”

They all nodded.

“And another thing,” Everyone leaned forward slightly, “do try and bring an escort.”

Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow, “escort?”

Celestia giggled, “a date.”

Everyone flinched at this, one everyone’s faces were apparent blushes at the word. Twilight was about to say something, but the doors opened to show Schnitzel and Strudel pushing carts of food. “Ello everyvon! Dinner ist served!”

The dinner that ensued, turned out to be a very awkward, and silent dinner. All except Celestia.

When everyone had gone to their rooms for the night, Pinkie Pie was still awake and walking through the halls in her night gown, a pink knee length dress with a white bow in front. She was thinking about what happened during dinner, about Hearth’s Warming Eve and the Grand Galloping Gala. Her thoughts were interrupted by Braeburn, wearing only his pants, “hey, why’re y’all still up?”

Pinkie smiled, “oh, no reason.”

Braeburn smiled, “I think there is a reason.”

Pinkie shrugged, “well, I was thinking about the upcoming holidays. And about my friends.”

“Y’all noticed too huh?”

Pinkie nodded. “Yeah. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, everyone… they all need a push in the right direction.”

“Ah couldn’t agree more.” He smirked, “what ya say to a little meddlin’?”

“CRAMPS!” Resounded through the halls. Braeburn and Pinkie chuckled and then turned their separate ways.

Pinkie said over her shoulder as she bounced back to her room. “I’ll take you up on that offer!”

Somewhere, in a dark cavern just outside of Equestria…

A lone cavern stands inside a mountain, this mountain lays in another country, a country unknown to most of the residents of Equestria, since they mainly just focus on their own homes. The cavern is eerily silent, not a single sound is heard, and not a single thing moves. Almost as if everything is halted in time.

Through the linear cavern, is a dark, dark wall, with a circle drawn in a red shining fluid, and many symbols and scriptures embedded in the stone wall.

If you look close enough, the wall can be seen pulsing, as if alive. But now, the wall is now experiencing something that hasn’t been had in over thousands of years.

A crack is forming on the wall.

And with the crack, air is quickly seeping inside the wall, into the room behind it, since inside there was no air.

And inside the room, it is the blackest of black inside. It is so dark, not even the sun itself can shed light inside. And in this room, you could hear the slumbering of some unknown beings. When the air reaches inside, a pair of blood red, shining eyes open up, and a hellish roar emanates from it.

“I… Smell… it…”
DONE!
WHEW! Another chapter done! Anyway, I have nothing else to say except this: READ, RATE, REVIEW, AND SEND TO ANYONE YOU KNOW THAT MIGHT LIKE THIS! REVIEW! PLEASE REVIEW! PLLEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAASE!!!