The Everfree forest has always been unforgiving, and the lengthened night has not done anything to dissuade the dark notion, even as several figures step out of the most impressive ruin within the ancient forests bounds, and into the foggy night air. The first one a light blue unicorn with a stellar wand cutiemark raised her voice, “I can't believe that these 'rocks' are the elements of harmony, Raindrops are you sure you checked everywhere?” The powder blue unicorn said turning to the cream colored pegasus floating above the group.

"Yea I did Trixie, all four times you asked." Raindrops groused, her eyebrows furrowed a little with annoyance. “I didn’t find any other Items within the castle that looked similar to the ones in the the book.”

“Fine, theres only five here so I guess you guy’s will only have to carry one each.” Trixie nodded towards the five stone orba on the ground.

“Fine but you’ll have to guide us back to Ponyville.” Raindrops answered. “Alright Lyra, Orange, Pinkamena, Sunny lets grab out orbs then we can be on our way.” The others agreed immediately as they each grabbed an orb and followed Trixie to the bridge over hanging the Ghastly Gorge.

Lyra spoke first as they reached the bridge. “Umm... Trixie Do you mind helping us get the orbs across the bridge I don’t want to chance falling through the wooden supports.” The mint green mare commented.

“Sure but don’t expect me to carry them alone.” Trixie returned.

“No worries” Sunny Smiles yelled happily from the back of the line. "I got mine, hey! Why don't we have a 'We found the elements of harmony party ' when we get back to Ponyville?"

Pinkamena’s eyebrows drew together as her head turned one hundred and eighty degrees around to face the hyperactive pony behind her with a scowl. "No. But if you must atleast wait until a proper time to do so." The pink mare warned, turning back and facing the front of the group with Trixie at the head as they crossed the wooden rope bridge connecting both sides of the chasm.

Trixie reached the other side with little difficulty her light blue energy slightly lifting the orbs of her companions as they crossed behind her. The entire group spilled onto the other side without incident. Trixie smiled smugly. "Alright we're past the bridge you girls can take it from here ." the blue mare stated plainly to her companions, and releasing her magical field from the elements.

Lyra answered aga. "So long as you lead us out of the forest safely I don't think we'll mind." The mint unicorn nodded turning to the other in the group for confirmation. Orange Mist, Pinkamena, Sunny, and Raindrops all nodded agreement with her statement.

Trixie smiled turning back onto the road and stepping forward down the decrepit mist laden stone bulwark that stretched before her on the path to Ponyville. As they traveled the ancient path it further degrades becoming smaller and smaller the deeper they went into the forest as they headed for the town, the path eventually gave way to an overgrown dirt road. Lyra walked along her lips stretched into a large grin as she watched all of the nature in passing, the flora in all its iridescent beauty mesmerized her senses while she blindly followed the group, Sunne watched her in enthusiasm grinning in turn with another on the happy game.

Raindrops noticed a small cliff face ahead and called to the rest of the group. "Hey, girls I see a cliff face ahead. I think it would probably be a good Idea to go there and get a long distance view for our rout back."

Orange mist and Pinkamena nod agreement, and Orange spoke up first, "Pinkamena and I will go ahead and see if theres a faster way back to Ponyville." Trixie, Lyra, and Sunny nodded agreement with this decision.

"Agreed It's not that I don't trust pegasi with Directions it's just that they tend to leave ground based obstacles out of their explanations." Raindrops landed next to her and nodded agreement with Trixie's answer.

Orange Mist called out, "Alright we're on our way!" As she and Pinkamena ran ahead and to the plateau of the cliff. They slowed down but continued walking forward towards the edge to get a better view of the area laid out before them. The others arrived quickly while the two checked the forest below for winding paths and subtle lines of roads, then it happened, 'Crumble, tck, tck, Crack!' The shelf they were on began ever so slowly tipping forward Trixie who was about to step on with the group immediately back peddled into the two unicorns behind her while both Pinkamena and Mist turned around in alarm there eyes wide open, Orange acted first turning her head and biting her companions mane she tossed Pinkamena forward. Leaping not a second after in chase of her falling companion. They both reaches the edge and prepared their final leap to safety when the shelf finally gave way fully before they could finish the action.

Before the final leap to safety could be made the unsteady Cliffside gave way, a growing tide of dirt, rock and grass cascaded down the side of the ledge hauling the two earth ponies with it the racket it made drowning out their screams of fright and protest.

As one four voices shrieked out "NO!" Trixie Lyra, Raindrops and Sunny were rooted in place by fear at what they had just witnessed. Terror rooting them in place. It was some unknown amount of time after the landslide had happened and the dust cloud had not fully settled yet. There was a long horrible silence as the group slowly came to their senses and began to realize that what they had just seen had actually happened.

"R-Raindrops... go see if, if they... If they are okay." Trixie shakily said her words catching in her throat as she squeezed her eyes shut to prevent the tears from flowing. The fear and dread causing her words to flee her and make it difficult to speak let alone actually accept what may very well have happened that the two were dead.

"R-right!" Raindrops shouted as she bolted into the air and dove downward soon disappearing into the slowly settling cloud of dust. minutes stretched into hours as the three land bound mares waited for word from their friend on the fate of Pinkimaina and Orange Mist.

After five agonizingly long minutes a shape shot up from the dust and alighted on the cliffside. "I-it's okay! They're doing f-fine!" Raindrops cried in delight laughing some to release the tension. "T-though they want us to move on ahead without them, they don't want to risk the cliff again so they're g-going to find their own way to town!" She explained torn between relief and worry as she wasn't sure she wanted her friends to try and pick their way through the forest alone given the way things were turning out tonight.

Before they started Back down the road Raindrops shouted out again. “Oh I almost forgot. Pinkamena was able to figure out a safe way back to Ponyville, we just continue down this road until we reach the fork, once there take the left path to get back, not the right one.” The teal maned pegasus finished.

"It’s good to know they are fine. Lets go, hopefully we can get to Ponyville before anything else happens, thanks for the directions Raindrops." They all agreed and set off down the road again. The path strangely after a certain point becoming easier to spot as they traversed the hostile wood lands, after a few miles they reached the fork that Orange mist and Pinkamena spoke about. They were about to follow the eastern path when they heard a growl from behind them. Turning as one they looked behind themselves, there in the clearing big and menacing was one of the largest manticores Trixie had ever seen, her eyes dilated on the sight and with no more than two heartbeats she figured out what to do, letting her horn glow, eyes still dilated she charged towards the beast yelling, MANTICORE. Lifting it’s paw the Manticore swiped at the charging unicorn, the others cringing as the paw neared its destination claws sheathed, then it hit- and continued through turning around he looked at the strange blue unicorn as she stopped then turned towards the great creature and stuck out her tongue in it’s face as she faded away.

Raindrops turned towards the road and noticed a set of hoof steps going down the northern path Raindrops face hoofed at the blue unicorns cowardice in the face of the beast. "Ugh Girls how are we going to take this creature down?" Raindrops queried as she flew in the manticores face causing it to stagger a little while the other two unicorns calmed down.

Lyra spoke first. "Go and keep Trixie safe we'll handle the manticore." Raindrops looked at her strangely before turning and flying down the northern path to catch up with Celestia's pupil.

After Raindrops left Sunny spoke up. "We will, how do you suppose we stop the manticore?" The alabaster white mare asked incredulously.

"We don't have to, or more specifically I'll handle it." Lyra answer walking up the the irate beast covering it's nose with one claw swiping the other at the pony coming towards it. "There there, everything is ok now, let me see." The manticore sniffled a little before holding out it's arm. Several small red thorns were protruding from the underside. Rolling her eyes Lyra lit up her horn and pulled out the thorns and pulled a few leaves from the surrounding forest along with a greenish sap from one of the nearby trees, "What did Fluttershy tell you about hiding in rose bushes?" Lyra admonished while Sunny was watching her ministrations on the manticore. The creature shook its head left to right a few times in response. "Good you were listening, now do you know why she said that?" The beast shook it's head again, this time up and down. "Alright then you're patched up and good to go now, next time try and avoiding the rose bushes when hunting me and Flutters won't always be around to help you in these situations Fluffle puff."

Turning to Sunny, Lyra nodded towards the eastern path stretching from the fork. Sunny smiled and nodded, and they continued their exodus towards the town. "Oh my gosh I can't believe you're friends with a manticore!" she said before bouncing down the road joyfully beside Lyra.

"Actually I'm not I just take care of the animals for Fluttershy when she's not around, or spending time with Rainbow Dash in the Everfree, doing Celestia knows what." Lyra amended sheepishly. "At least they've come to accept me, and well it is fun being able to show kindness to in ways other than just music," the mint green mare added.

Sunny giggled joyfully as they passed another bend, then shouted out gleefully. "Hay I think that's Ponyville ahead!" As they got closer they started hearing loud noises coming from the town the dissonant screaming causing Sunny's, and Lyra's ears to perk up somewhat. "I wonder if everypony's having a party already? Wait they started the party without me, ME! NO PONY parties like SUNNY! But still as long as their smiling I can let it go." The bubbly white mare nodded with her eyes closed, grinning like a buffoon.

As they got closer Lyra began to realize that the screaming they were hearing were not the delighted screams of joy from a party but actual screams of terror, she turned to Sunny and noticed that the white mare didn't seem to notice the difference. As they reached the town square before Lyra could react Sunny appeared on the stage with a bright flash, while the majority of the pony's there were stampeding in terror from the continuous night and the Frightful scare they had just hours before in the town hall. Sunny opened her mouth, a mike floating up to her lips contained within her own magical essence, and screamed, "HEY EVERYPONY HOW's IT GOING! HAY FLUTTERWINGS WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE UP THERE?" the white mare called to the pegasi above causing them to turn towards her just as they were drenched underneath individually summoned rain clouds, "SEEMS QUITE DAMP DON"T YOU THINK? HAY UNICORNS, IS THERE SOMETHING ON YOUR HORNS?" Immediately sugary treats appeared in mid air, falling onto their magical appendages.

"THAT LOOKS DELICIOUS, I WANT SOME! HEY YOU EARTH PONY'S OUT THERE, DON'T THINK I FORGOT ABOUT YOU! IS THAT GROUND AS STABLE AS YOU THINK?" The white mare called out gleefully, her horn lighting up even brighter than before, flashing one last time her mike falls to the ground as her magical field burns out. Ignoring her lack of magic the alabaster mare leaps forward off the stage onto the ground below sliding forward on the slick pudding surface, the pony's around her no longer panicking as they slipped and slid across the town square, several of them beginning to giggle as they lost track of their fears in the face of the light hearted pranks, courtesy of the local party extraordinaire.

Lyra sitting on the edge of the square couldn't help but smile and giggle at her foolish fear that Sunny, wouldn't be able to make light of a dark situation. The white mare herself slid up next to Lyra and they both smiled in joy. "I'll never understand how you do that, but I'm glad you're here to make everyone smile."

Sunny had the sense to blush at the compliment, "Oh pish pash darling, It's what I do for fun, plus happy ponies are definitely better than grumpy ones." The white mare answered, with a flip of her tangled mane.

Then Lyra remembered what she was up to and turned back down the road they arrived on, "Hay Sunny we should probably head back to the entrance of town to wait on our friends." The white mare nodded agreement, they both began heading down the road only stopping to wait at the entrance to the massive Everfree forest.

Dust and debris continued falling down the cliff face as two body's clambered back to their hooves, The orange one spoke first, while the pink one inexplicably appeared before her offering a hoof in assistance. "Why Thank you Pinkamena Darling, It's quite unstable here, anything broken?" The orange mare asked.

"Just a watch and a pencil but that's about it, easily replaceable, are you well Lady Orange?" Pinkamina returned as she finished leading the orange mare out of the dust in the debris field.

"Could be better but considering the Circumstance, I feel that I am doing just fine darling. Did you notice the road fork heading towards Ponyville?" asked the orange mare.

"Yes, and Raindrops should be down here within the next- now." She finished as the Lilac mare charged down and flew across the debris, spotting her quarry she invented her flight path and stopped before them, relief evident on her features.

"Thank Celestia you two are ok, We honestly thought you two had... Heh yea, but this is good Are you two ok think I could pull you two back up top?" The pegasus asked in a relieved rush as her adrenal levels dropped from overflowing to safe.

Pinkamina opened her mouth and was promptly interrupted by Orange Mist, "Were fine Darling, but I think we'll be finding our own way back to Ponyville. It's not that I don't trust you but I really don't want to go all the way back up there." Raindrops ears began to droop. "But I do have good news, when you and the other girls reach the fork in the road, take the eastern path to get to Ponyville not the northern one."

"Alright, if thats your decision you two." Both earth pony's nodded. "Alright I'll let the girls up top know you're ok, please stay safe." With that Raindrops took off upwards through the remnants of the dust cloud to meet back up with the other part of their group.

Orange Mist turned to Pinkamena with a small smile gracing her features. "Ready for some adventure old friend?" The apple born aristocrat asked.

Pinkamena began rubbing her hoof between her eyes, feeling a small headache coming on. "Fine but don't I repeat DO NOT!!!, do anything foolish, I used up my last save for the day when we fell from the ledge." Lady Orange smiled back sheepishly, Pinkamena just gave her a harder stare than before.

Orange Mist sighed in conceit, "Fine you can take point, but if there is anything interesting can we please visit it?" The orange mare asked plaintively her eyes wide open as she supplicates herself before the pink mare, hooves holding each other and pumping in the pink mares direction.

Pinkamena sighs then nods, "Fine but only if it doesn't show any hint of aggression, understood?"

Orange Mist jumped up to her hooves in excited glee, "Crystal." She agrees firmly.

"Alright if we head north east we should be hitting the road within about two to three hours." The Pink mare stated before walking in the direction stated.

Orange Mist's eyes widen and she gallops after the pink mare, "H-hey! Wait for me." She cries as she closes the gap between her and the business mare in front, rubbing against a few bushes and passing through a small field of bright blue flowers.

Slowing down to Pinkamena's pace Orange Mist huffed in slight annoyance, but before she could voice her concerns Pinkamena spoke up, "This isn't a field trip for nobles, or one of your Trottingham soirees. We are within one of the most dangerous places in Equestria next to the Tartarus flats, and as such YOU need to be more careful."

Orange Mist huffed again. "Well excuse me for letting my main down after finding a little time for ourselves, it's not like we get much of it with all of the noble requests and parties that we have to go to not to mention all of the business meetings with important clients. I mean I'm grateful that you would care so dearly for my health but I shall be just fine." The refined mare smiled towards her forward companion who scowled back in annoyance at her companions lack of caution. While Orange Mist looked forward she noticed a strange tree off in the distance. "Hay, Pinkamena darling? do you see that off in the distance?" Orange called forward pointing her hoof towards the decorated tree.

Pinkamena turned and spotted what Orange Mist was looking at with ease. "That rickety tree house over there?"

Orange nodded in response. "Lets go check it out, maybe somepony lives there." The urban city mare yipped cheerfully trotting towards the building.

Before Orange could reach her fourth step Pinkamena stepped ahead of her lifting a hoof to block her path, "Stop, lets find the truth of the matter before we barge in unprepared, and uninvited." Still facing forward The Pink mare began walking again, letting Orange Mist catch up with a somewhat dignified gait. Reaching one of the side windows of the abode The two mares lifted themselves up and noticed the inside of the hut, filled with potions, containers of strange Items and even a cauldron of boiling water over a set of burning coals. Pinkamena placed a hoof between her eyes again just waiting for the headache to start again.

Orange Mist didn't disappoint, "Hay somepony lives here, maybe we can ask them for more definite directions back to Ponyville." Pinkamena decided not to protest knowing full well that underneath Lady Oranges misleading suggestion was a hardened resolve to make the event happen, so with a small annoying headache and heavy hooves she trudged beside her orange companion up to the door. Orange Mist lifted her hoof and knocked thrice. There was a slight shuffling within then the door opened revealing a cloaked figure both striped forelegs sticking out from under it identifying her as a zebra.

Before either of the pony's could react the Zebra spoke first, "Zecora I am called Alchemist extraordinary” The zebra then flipped back the hood of her cloak revealing her striped head and mohawk formed mane, with several golden bands weaving down her neck. ", now tell me my friend who might you be?" Zecora Turned to Orange Mist first.

Pinkamena recovered first. "At least you’re safe, My companion and long time friend here’s name is Orange Mist. Don't mind her she is just a bit surprised to find a zebra so far from the great shifting sands, and milele kijani maeneo ya malisho. My name is Pinkamena, hopefully it will be nice to make your acquaintance Zecora."

"I do agree my pony friend. I be you welcome, now why don't you join me for some tea? I enjoy the chance to provide hospitality." Both ponies nod, Zecora goes to the large pot while the Pinkamena and Orange Mist make themselves comfortable on the floor, poured some of the boiling water from the large cauldron into three pewter cups Zecora then pulled three jars from the cupboard and mixed the contents into the cups causing the tea to take upon it a soft green colour. Zecora passed a cup to Pinkamena and the other to Orange Mist. Sipping calmly at their tea Pinkamena watched the zebra carefully while lady Orange tried desperately to not scratch the strange itch on her neck, Zecora noted Orange Mists Frustrations and took a closer look and noticed several bright yellow spores on the Orange pony. Sighing to herself Zecora stood. "Be it luck or fate the brought you to me I can not say. Know only that this is the better way for tonight's events to play." Zecora pointed ar Orange Mist "Through poison joke you trod. It's impish wrath Discord would applaud."

Pinkamena sighed facehooving again. "Orange Mist... I don't even know where to start. So Zecora how long till the poison takes effect?"

"Though a life I've never seen it take. I beg you not to underestimate it's power, come let me apply the remedy or it's effects you'll succumb to immediately." Zecora swiftly answered placing her tea on the table."I do not jest, it's effects most tricksters wouldn’t best."

Pinkamena placed her tea on the table as well, "Do it." She returned seriously.

Lady Orange blanched. "Pinkamena, What do you think you are doing, placing your trust in this zebra? We don't even know the first thing about her. She could be trying to poison or curse us for all we know?" The orange mare sputtered.

Pinkamena almost smiled at the irony of Orange Mists statement. "We can trust her for two reasons. One she gave us unpoisoned tea. two just from the looks of this room alone i’m assuming that you Zecora are a shaman. Am I correct?" The pink mare asked with a simple gesture to the zebra.

"I tell no lie. For my society embraces the ways of hospitality." Zecora spun her hoof in a small circular motion above her head. "Of all the wonders alchemy can create. It is no boast to say that when it comes to potions I've got a special way."

Pinkamena sighed as Orange Mist continued giving Zecora a speculative look. “Look if she wanted us dead, She could have done it while we were coming here, possibly through some benign method such as... I dunno Pony eating plants?” She looked t the Zebra for support.

Zecora nodded. “The rose of the vampyre Knows how to hunt, be weary it’s touch for its poison is a rush.” The zebra answered honestly, “Your dirge will be it’s surge.” The zebra then turned to Orange Mist, “Trust me in this for dealing with Poison Joke you must.” Zecora warned.

Orange Mist folded her ears back then nodded, Zecora nodding in turn stood and went around the hut to retrieve the various powders and ingredients for the poison joke cure. The refined mare then turned and scowled at Pinkamena. “How do you know so much about zebracan culture pink?” The orange mare fumed in embarrassment.

Pinkamena sighed, rubbing between her eyes with a hoof. “How many Zebrican trading convoys have we had in just the past year alone, three? Four? Still enough that you should know where and why I picked up these important bits of information.” Glaring at her fellow trotter she released a deep breath of pent up frustration. “You should really pay more attention to our foreign dealings, you might actually learn something.”

Orange Mist’s eyes lit up with indignation at the comment of her friend for just a second she looked as if she was going to retort, then... she closed her eyes, and let out a long, deep breath. Calming herself before looking back up. “Your right Pinkemena I did forget, and for what it’s worth thank you for taking care of the meetings, the foreign dignitaries and the more officious clients.”

Pinkamena nodded. "You're forgiven. All I wanted was for you to open your eyes, so that you could see the problem properly." Pinkamena stepped forward and placed a hoof on Orange Mists shoulder giving it a soft push. "Now I think we've delayed our hosts generosity long enough. Zecora, is the remedy ready?"

"Indeed it is the potent brew, come forth and relax those woes in a cleansing bubble bath." The zebra came forward and sat down, then turned a hoof to the cauldron in the Center of the room that was now glowing a slight blue.

With one last look at Pinkamena Lady Orange steps forward and climbs onto the side of the pot, dipping a hoof forward into the bubbling liquid below she realizes that the solution is at a pleasant level of temperature. Easing herself into the luxurious liquid she sighs a little as the fluid does as Zecora suggested and washes away her worries, forcing her to relax. "Ahhh,! ... You know I really think you'd be real popular around Ponyville especially around the spa with the sisters, dear me I haven't had a relaxing bath like this in, guh quite!, some time." Orange Mist iterated. "Oh Pinkamena please remind me when we get back to Ponyville to Get the word out about Zecora's fabulous herbal remedies and treatments, The spa sisters would certainly just love your help dear." She directed the last statement towards the only Zebra in the room.

"You would spread truth of my doings?" Zecora asked with a small smile.

"Of course darling, why I can't even imagine why the ponies in Ponyville have been shunning you for so long. By my thoughts you should have been welcomed a long time ago." Orange mist grinned happily, "Besides if I can return your generosity with interest, I would be quite pleased. So what do you say I introduce you to Ponyville one of these days." Orange Mist asked extending a hoof.

"I'm grateful that you would go to such lengths to thank me I accept your proposal." She returned the gesture and bumped hooves. Then frowned slightly. "But first we must help you return. Head south and do not turn , then follow the road east, till you find the white tree, turn south once more and find the road you entered from Ponyville."

Pinkamena nodded scribbling the last part down. "Alright, Mist it is time we say our goodbye's and return to Ponyville our companions will most likely be worried deeply about us." Orange Mist returned the gesture and hugged Zecora before leaving the hut, Pinkamena in toe.

Leaving the hut they follow Zecora's directions without difficulty and find the trail's the Zebra used and the roads they were to find easily the ancient woods left them alone as they traveled, the night itself remaining calm around them they finally exited the woods, finding Sunny Smiles and Lyra Heartstrings at the entrance to the forest, their joy apparent from the glaring grins on their faces.

"How'd you know we'd arrive here?" Lady Orange asked in surprize.

"We didn't but it was just so exciting knowing my friends were going to get back here soon. Ah there's Raindrops now? Wait why does she have a frowny face?" Sunny pouted. Raindrops took the opportunity to land softly on the ground.

She glared forward angrily. "That pompous little pain in the fl... GRRRUUUUgh... I can't believe her the-"

"Can't believe who?" Lady Orange queried, effectively cutting off Raindrops tirade.

"TRIXIE, THAT'S WHO! Honestly I can't believe a pony can be as self absorbed as she is,to be so callous about the fate of other pony’s especially her friends!" Raindrops huffed her main settling from it's risen state.

Lady Orange began to speak. “Darling, it honestly cannot be that ba...”

But Raindrops cut her off. “No actually it’s worse hotstuff. She ditched Lyra and Sunny to deal with Fluffle Puff While she took off down the wrong path, then when I caught up she had the gall to demand that I help her cross the Roaming River! So I ditched her there and then. Not a thing you say will change my mind.” Raindrops huffed furiously, crossing her hooves midair.

Pinkamena opened her mouth first preempting the others complaints. “And what of yourself you’re loyal to your fellow ponies are you not?” she started.

Sunny continued picking up on where Pinkamena left off. “Yea she may be a scaredy scared filly, and she may not know how to be a proper friend but maybe if we show her the way...”

“She might become a respectable pony, maybe even learn to be a good friend.” Lady Orange finished the statement.

“What I think they're trying to say is that by leaving her behind, your being just as cruel as she was, where if you save her she is still able to redeem herself.” Lyra finally said answering Raindrops unasked thoughts.

Raindrops felt her eye twitch as much as the others saw it, they knew that she understood the meaning, as much as it heavily annoyed her. “Buck Me, can’t I just Catch a break! No? Fine I’ll go back for her cheap flank, but don’t expect me to be happy about it, and there is definitely no way I’ll do her after this.” With that she turned around and shot off down the road, Deep into the Everfree.

Looking around herself the blue mare noticed the forest getting denser as she ran the road getting smaller as she sprinted in fear. She rounds the final bend and notices the light at the end of the road the light at the exit getting brighter along with a strange rushing sound just past the trees. nearing the exit she felt vines brushing at her legs, freaking out she changed her light spell to a flaming torch burning a swath of plant life as it blocked her path while running. Reaching the exit, she leaped through the portal to safety, landing on her stomach not a care in the world as she smirked in victory, opening her eyes her smirk dropped into a frown. “Buck my life.” The mare face hooved as she realized what the rushing sound was, not only had she not made it out of the Everfree she had also gotten herself trapped between it and a river.

Just as she was about to turn around a bright teal blur tore through the sky landing before her. “Trixie common we need to head back, the girls should be done handling the manticore by now. We need to head back to the fork and take the other path.” Rainbow calmly suggested, though there was an edge to her voice.

The blue mare shook her head and grimaced. “Are you sure? I think Ponyville is just on the other side of this river. Besides Raindrops I’m sure you could just carry me across, it’s not like you have anything else good to do, what do you say?” Trixie asked petulantly.

Raindrops silently Ground her teeth as the blue mare continued smiling at her smugly, finally after a few deep breaths and looking between the river and back to Trixie, she answered. “I’d say you’re bucking insane if you think any pegasus can fly that! No matter how strong, let alone with the added weight of a royal snob of a unicorn weighing her down. Thats the bucking Roaming River, one of the most treacherous currents in Equestria. Not only is it nearly impossible to cross by hoof but pegasi get buffeted by gale force winds almost the entire way across, as the air currents above the stream are also running directly parallel to it.” Raindrops snorted, “You’re Celestia’s top student for bucks sake, you should know Equestria’s geography already along with it’s major landmarks at the least.”

Trixie scoffed. “Well don’t blame me for being behind on my classes, the nobility of canterlot are harder to deal with than you might think. Not to mention I’ve never been able to study a full map of the Everfree, if you haven’t noticed I really don’t like entering these woods in the first place!” Trixie growled back. “Besides if you can’t help Trixie than what good are you?”

Raindrops Closes her eyes then sighs relaxing midair, before suddenly spinning around, ”Fine then since you don’t “NEED” me, you’ll know where to find me just ask around Ponyville when you get there. and don’t forget to write. Prudish skank.” She finishes viciously as she shoots off into the distance, down the road, back to the fork.

Trixie watches as her last companion disappears into the foliage of the dark forest. ‘what, but... I don’t even? I didn’t think she’d actually leave?’ “What the butck just happened?” Trixie asked the shadowy world around her, the air around her filled with the dank smell of waterlogged wood, and rotting tree trunks, only the chirping of the crickets and the roaring waters of the nearby river, were the only answers she receives within the otherwise silent forest.

finally she begins to come to her senses, the bitter cold night air harshly pounding her body, trying to drag away what warmth of life remained to her. Shivering on her nearly frozen hooves, Trixie gingerly lights her horn while walking over to a nearby bush, only to leap back at the last second as a thorned vine lashed out from it, almost grasping her left foreleg, pausing in her advance she plucked one of the leaves from the bush and watched as it writhed and fell apart revealing a skeleton of a brush completely inundated with a strange creeping vine. The biting chill of the air quickly snapped her out of her sudden shock at escape. a thought came unbidden to her weary mind. ‘I hate this forest.’ followed by, ‘I can’t believe that Raindrops actually left me, just ditched me as if she didn’t, care?’ immediately she flashed back to the rope-bridge, and her asinine denial of work. The cliff edge when Pinkamena and Lady Orange fell, the lack of real feeling for them. Finally the manticore, and her cowardice in running away. ‘Why should they listen to me?’ She asked silently, ‘All I’ve been was a complete mule to them the entire time.’ She answered without preamble. ‘Please if any of you come and help me...’ “I... I’ll... I’ll turn another leaf, try and be nice, just please... some pony... help me... ” Trixie sputtered as she finally found a bush next to the road to hide in, as she cowered in fear of forest around her.

Immediately a teal streak Cut through the sky, cutting trough the dark tree tops and stoping next to the river, “I can’t believe I’m doing this but, TRIXIE! ARE YOU THERE?” She yelled out in a clear strong parade voice, her eyes wandering around the area searching. Just as she was about to leave to search somewhere else, she heard it. A silent whisper on the wind the tell tale sound of a voice too weak to run, Raindrops knew that the Everfree was brutal and the Roaming river was always cold ,nearly freezing it’s borders even during summer. she heard it again, perking her ears she tried to distinguish where the sound was coming from. “Help.” then she saw the hint of blue within the shrubbery, immediately she charged landing before the bush, slowly she peeked through the branches finding herself nose to nose with the powder blue unicorn, “Hah! Found ya, I might not be able to carry you across the river but I can carry you back to town, here let me give you a hoof out of those bushes.” Raindrops gingerly guided the shivering, blue unicorn out of the bushes, and back onto the road.

Trixie looked down mutely, small tears falling from her eyes, “Thank you.” she said softly. “Thank you for coming back. I’m so sor...”

Raindrops cut her off. “Save it for when we get back, and just know this I’m still angry with you so you had better fix your attitude after we return.” Raindrops quickly pulled Trixies foreleg over her shoulder, and took off down the road holding Trixie in her grasp. Flying through the forest at a fast Pace Raindrops looked down only to Find Trixie’s eyes shuttered tightly in terror. Reaching the fork Raindrops pulled a two seventy degree angle placing herself on the correct track back to Ponyville. Arriving only after A half hour of flying, Raindrops gently places Trixie on the ground, “Alright now,” Raindrops lands between the other pony’s of the group as they gather around the blue unicorn, all eyes staring at her. “apologise.” Raindrops stated simply.

Trixie not used to giving in to others demands, tried to resist but only for half a second before letting her shoulders slump while she sat in the middle of the other ponies, and let her voice raise. “I am sorry, sorry for ignoring you all, treating you as lesser creatures. I understand if you don’t want to continue working with me but... Look all i’m asking for is one more chance, I... I’ll turn around, I’ll learn to be a good pony. I will try to be a better pony just please, give me another chance.”

Lady Orange spoke first, “why all you have to do is ask darling, of course I forgive you, we all make mistakes of judgement now and then don’t we girls?” she asked the others.

Pinkamena came up next. “I’ll forgive you for now because of your honesty and willing to accept your mistake, but should you fail to tell the truth again, this is a promise that I will reprimand you.” Pinkamena finished.

Lyra looked over her former school mate carefully before speaking in turn. “I’ll forgive you, but you’ll have to learn to be a lot nicer to others.”

Sunny Smiles jumped over Lyra as her small speech ended, landing before Trixie beaming in joy. “Aw cheer up little miss Trixie and cheer on up, I forgive you, besides all you need to do for me is smile!” She cheered, hugging Trixie and then jumping back out of the group while Raindrops stepped forward a grimace marring her features.

“I’m only giving you this last chance toots, because the others are asking me to however, unless you manage to get back in my good graces, I ain’t lettin ya anywhere near my bed, nor will I forgive you should you betray us, GOT THAT?!” Raindrops screamed in a voice that would make any royal guard drill sergeant proud, mutely Trixie nodded.

Gathering her wits about her Trixie looked upon the pony’s her eyes speaking volumes of thanks even as rivulets of tears flowed down her features. “Thank you, thank you soo much, you won’t regret this. Now please lets get to the library so we can figure out how the elements work.” The blue mare added. Everypony else nodded and they headed off down the road into town passing the exhausted towns ponies collapsed on the streets and nearby benches and windows from another Sunny party. Trixie raised an eyebrow at the sleeping and tuckered crowd but decided to ask later if she remembered, finally they arrived at the library after a few more minutes of walking. the Trixie stepped forth from the group and pushed.

The door opened into a large rotunda, it's walls for the most part filled with books. A light blue mare stepped in through the entryway tracking mud onto the wooden floor, followed by a mint green unicorn mare with a white streaked mane, a white unicorn with a royal purple mane, two earth ponies one pink with a dark pink mane, and the other Orange with a light blond main, and finally a honey yellow pegasus with a teal windswept mane. All six of them Gathered around a table near the middle of the room.

"Dagg? DAGG!.. Ughh the nerve, I really don't understand what Celestia see's in that purple scaled rug, where could he have gotten off to?." The blue mare complained finally situated at the table, her annoyance radiating clearly from her face. "Alright since that lump of scales isn't around to accomplish his duties, what would you girls like to drink."

"How, bout we get these here orbs laid out on the ground," Said the honey colored pegasus giving the blue unicorn a critical stare. "I think Lyra's just about ready to collapse from exhaustion.?" The pegasus finished pointing to the mint green unicorn whose legs were wobbling from the weight of the inert stone orb she was carrying.

"Oh sorry go ahead and drop them wherever." Trixie had the good grace to blush while, the other mares dropped the stone orbs in their possession unforgivingly onto the wooden floor of the library, leaving sizeable dents behind as Trixie lifted each one away, forming them into a semblance of order as she placed them behind herself.

Lyra gave Trixie a dirty look. "You really should care more about your charge, he's not a slave." Finished speaking her peace Lyra trotted towards one of the nearby couches and jumped onto one of the cushions to lay down.

"Don't give me that crap, Celesta forced him on me as my responsibility I may have hatched him but I would have been just as ok having the school take care of me, I had enough on my plate with Celestia's lessons on top of the ones from the school." Trixie exclaimed her brows furrowed together in annoyance. "Besides where is that librarian, I thought she'd be here by now and have cleaned up this mess."

"Oh don't worry your little head too much Trix, Wispie just likes to pull late nights and is sleeping in her lab as usual." The white unicorn spoke up.

Trixie nodded at the unicorns explanation, deciding it was enough."Thank you Sunny, Alright then. Raindrops, Lyra, Sunny, Orange, Pinkamena? Now that we have these..." Trixie took a look behind her at the five inert stone orbs that represented the elements of harmony. "Rocks lets try and find out how they work. We know they represent the elements of harmony now let's see what they can do, maybe the markings on them can give a clue."

Trixie pulled the rightmost orb forward and placed it in the center of their group all of them taking seats, Pinkamena taking hers on the ceiling while Sunny tried to follow suit only to have to resort to the chandelier instead, hanging upside down by her tail.

Trixie glances up, eyebrow quirked, then looks back down, and notices that the rest of the ponies in the room aren't even batting an eye at the strange antics of the two ponies hanging from above. "Wh..."

Madame Orange speaks first. "Don't ask you'll just give yourself a concussive Migraine." Trixie freezes and bristles a little at the interruption then nods slowly before turning back to the orb in the middle of the group.

"I'll take your word for it." Taking a more focused look at the stone orm Trixie noted the sigil on it looks somewhat familiar. "Hmm... Pinkamena Doesn't this look similar to your cutie mark?" Everypony in the room turned and looked up at the pink pony on the roof as she turned to look at her flank as well, somewhat perplexed. It was a set of three clock work wheels connected together, each one a differing size from the other sloping downward from smallest to largest.

"Hmmm... I see the connection but I don't know what it means." Pinkamina stated looking from her triple cog wheel mark to the single clockwork gear on the stone relic. "Honestly from all that we know, is that my cutie mark somewhat matches this stone orb that for all we know could be just a representation of the real element of... hmm, aren't we missing an element?" Pinkamina stated not noticing the slight pink glow of the orb in the center of the room as she counted the orbs behind Trixie a on top of the one in the center of the room.

Raindrops counted as well and came up short. "Yeah shouldn't there be six of them?" Trixie nodded.

"Let me check the book again maybe it can tell where to find it." Trixie asked The other ponies in the room nodded agreement. Trixie walked over to the book and looked over the page again. "... yada yada, wheres the part we need, bla- oh found it finally." Trixie cried jubilantly. All the other ponies gathered behind her and looked over Trixies shoulder. Trixie began speaking in a voice similar to the one she gave earlier in the day. "The elements of harmony are artifacts from olden times found by the two sisters, not much is known about them save that they are based on many of the pony virtues."

"Honesty," Pinkamena gives an imperceptible nod of agreement, her gaze stoic and unmoving.

"Loyalty" Raindrops nudges Pinkamena with an elbow and blows her a kiss with her hoof, receiving an annoyed punch to the jaw in return.

"Laughter" Sunny Smiles jumped up in the air not paying attention to what her horn was doing, accidentally casting a gravity well on the roof that turned her jump into a fall, landing with an "oof" she looked up and began laughing to herself at all of the upside down ponies above her. While the others laughed in turn, all save Trixie who continued reciting the elements and Pinkamena; who opted to facehoof and shake her head at the white unicorns antics instead.

"Generosity" lady Orange Mist smiled wanly and nodded.

", and Kindness" Lyra looked up from her position on the couch, her hind legs dangling off the edge while she sat straight up. Lyra nodded and smiled tilting her head to the right.

"But the final element is a mystery only revealing itself when all of the others are present." Trixie picks her head up from the book to look around the room and notices Sunny standing on the ceiling, "Wha... No! Nevermind Trixie has more to worry about how you mastered a gravity spell. That book was less than helpful seriously pony virtues?"

The blue magician queried. "Seriously that is my mentors secret weapon, Virtues? Ughhh If I thought this town was crazy before Celestia is even... Rughh! You know what I give up, I'll it a try." Trixie felt her body relax as she Took a few deep breaths. "Alright Will you girls be willing to be my Ffffrriieeenndssss." 'Eughhh what a disgustingly ignorant wor-' Her thoughts were interrupted as the ponies around her all rushed in tackling her in one giant hug, The book flying off the table and the notes scattering everywhere as the group as a whole fell to the ground giggling in joy. 'Maybe having friends isn't so bad after all.' Trixie thought her heart melting a little at the thought.

A blindingly bright flash of light flooded the room, When Trixie's vision came back She noticed the other ponies had strange golden necklaces around their necks with gems in the same shape of their cutie marks embedded in the center, Raindrops looked up and goggled at Trixie. "What, the great and magnificent Trixie too dazzling for you?" Trixie commented with a small smirk.

Raindrops came to and shook her head. "Uh no, but... well That's one impressive crown Trixie." The blue unicorns eyes widen, before any of the girls can say anything else Trixie dives out of the pile of ponies and runs in front of the nearest mirror. Stopping to look at herself Trixie looks at the crown on top of her head its golden lining flowing around the centerpiece of a five pointed magenta star held on top of a sparkling sapphire rod. Trixie felt her jaw drop in appreciation of the item on top of her head. She was about to turn to her 'friends' when Trixie saw them appear around her in the mirror, even the even stoic Pinkamena has a small smile on her face as she gazed at the golden gear jewel embedded necklace around her neck.

Raindrops looked at the Red gem shaped as a drop of rain striking the ground She silently hoof pumped at the awesome look hers had. Sunny smiled even wider than she usually does when she noticed her gemstone matched the shape of her baby blue cutie mark perfectly surrounded by a golden necklace. Lyra gazed at the reflection of her necklace the stone set in the center a simple Green lyre etched onto the necklace. The last to look at her necklace was Madam Orange Mist who gazed at her piece with a small smile a simple violet apple.

Trixie was the first to stop gawking at the necklaces and gather her wits about her. "I think I see now what my mentor meant about making... Friends! I would think it is safe to assume that we, ARE the elements of harmony. What say you that we work together to take down nightmare Moon, and save equestria." Trixie gazed amongst her friends, smirking with undisguised glee.

Lyra looks up first. "I'm," 'BANG' The front door of the library slams open with the force only trained hooves or an earth pony can put behind, causing the wooden Portal to unhinge from the frame and fall to a strange angle, while a alabaster white pegasus stallion stood at the entrance.

The stallion stepped forward through the former entrance and bowed directly to Trixie. "I am sorry to interrupt your meeting lady Trixie, but I have been sent by the Council to retrieve you directly along with any other ponies that are directly involved with you. We have several carriages waiting outside for our retreat to our central base in Manehattan." The stallion spoke calmly while he shivered somewhat.

Trixie looks up at the semi panicking guard before her. "Retreating?" She asked the one word calmly.

The guard recruit winced. "From Nightmare Moon she has just claimed Canterlot castle as of three hours ago, Captain armor's condition is currently unknown as are the majority of the celestial knights under his command." The solar stallion winced as Trixie continued boring her gaze into him. "Please we must hurry, Nightmare Moon might be upon us at any moment." The Guard warned.

Trixie turned and looked to the mares behind her with their elements laid to bear, shining in resplendent glory, Each one individually nodded to her in unspoken agreement as her eyes passed between them. Turning back to the guard Trixie nods her decision made. "Alright We'll come with if nothing else then at least the council will be able to point us in the right direction." As the other mares exited Trixie turned one last time to look inside the Treehouse, with papers strewn about the floor and the curtains drawn. She took one last Glimpse of the mirror and for a split second noticed the sliver of a lavender eye gazing back through with a vertical slit down the middle before it clouded over again, reflecting its surroundings. 'That must have been my imagination there is no possible way that incompetent librarian could have enchanted the mirror.' She allowed herself to file away the sighting as a figment of her imagination as she turned around to get on the chariots to head off and assist the solar council any way she could.

Author's Notes:

Oh yea I forgot we had these anyway to you readers thsanks for being patient and following me on this. and also sorry for the late chapter I am quite ashamed but it is about one of my least liked characters, Trixie. anywho I hope you all like it.

big thanks goes to my prereader janushayed who is the guy who approves all of my chapters, and then another thanks goes to Obsidian Raindrop for assisting me in this story, even if he's a Trixie fanatic.