Applejack stood before the princess, speechless. She couldn't believe the princess was right here in front of her. Princess Celestia herself. There she stood by the statue, smiling kindly at Jack. Applejack quickly came to her senses and took her hat off, kneeling before the princess.

"Y...Your highness!" Applejack yelled. "I... I'm sorry for the disrespect, ma'am. I truly am!"

Celestia giggled, walking over to Jack and offered her hand. "Please, Applejack, none of these formalities will be necessary."

"But... But you're the..." Applejack looked up, slowly putting her hat back on. She took Celestia's hand, feeling an unnaturally warm touch overcome her, causing her body to tingle. The princess helped Jack to her feet.

"For now, don't think of me as your princess. Besides, we have much work to do."

"Work...?" Applejack asked. "What are we gonna do? What work ya talkin about?"

Twilight walked over to Jack. "I'll explain everything. Let’s find a place to sit. It's going to be a long story."

Jack sighed, not in the mood for a story but she didn't seem to have a choice. She followed Twilight over to a pile of stone that sat in the corner of the room. Celestia stood near the statue, closing her eye and lifting her arms before it. The stones began to glow.

"What's she doin?" Applejack asked.

"Those stones are going to lead us to a great power. These are the Elements of Harmony, the very essence of balance in our world, or at least it was. That was centuries ago and the balance has been tipped. Our world has only felt the beginning of what harm would happen if that balance is not restored."

"What are you talkin about, Twi? None of that makes sense."

"Then I guess I better start at the beginning... You see, centuries ago, humans didn't rule the land of Equestria. Actually, as far as we know, humans didn't exist at all. Another race of horse-like creatures ruled the land, all bound by harmony. Like us, they possessed the power and will to shape the world, a freedom given by none other than our very own Princess Celestia. Some of these horses had wings, the pegasus from legend as well as the mystical unicorns."

"Wait... You said this was centuries ago. How long has the princess been alive?" Applejack asked.

"Since before recorded history. Her looks might have changed over the years but she's always been our princess. For all we know, her name probably wasn't even Celestia back then. She's had to take on many looks and names to hide her age. Until now, I might be the only one who knows about it.”

"A-huh... Twi, I don't mean to sound rude but this is soundin a mite bit crazy."

"It did for me too. There are times when I hardly even believe it. But I trust in the princesses words. I'm not asking you to believe, just hear me out."
Jack nodded, putting her leg up on one of the stones. "Go on, then."

"What most people don't know is that the only reason we have sunlight is because of the Princess. She raises the sun every morning, her blessing to the world. The Princess didn't always rule alone, however. She had a sister, Luna, who was in charge of raising the moon at night. Both sisters continued this cycle for years until one day... Luna began to change. She started to become resentful of her sister who got to watch over the peopl... I mean... Ponies that stayed awake during her glorious sunrise, while Luna only saw empty fields and stillness during her beautiful nights. One night, Luna simply refused to lower the moon."

"Guessin Celestia was not too happy bout that." Jack said, leaning back on one of the rocks.

"Not in the least. Celestia was powerful and even older then Luna, but at this point Luna was no longer herself. She had changed into a powerful mare, Nightmare Moon, the bringer of everlasting night. She matched Celestia in power and they fought endlessly for seven whole years. The world suffered as they battled, the pony creatures slowly slipping into insanity over the endless night. Some began to worship Nightmare Moon as a deity while others prayed for their sun to return. For the first time in history, blood had been shed upon Equestrian soil."

Twilight looked over at the princess who was still caught in a trance under the statue. "Finally, Celestia defeated Nightmare Moon, ending the endless night. But Celestia was far too weak after the battle, or perhaps she just couldn't bring herself to slay her younger sister. Instead, she locked Nightmare Moon in six stones known as the Elements of Harmony, the pillar of peace in our world. But in doing so, the stones shattered, leaving Equestria to suffer a great imbalance. When the sun rose for the first time in seven years, Celestia saw what her ponies had become. What sinister things they had become, murderous, uncaring, and fearful. Without the Elements of Harmony she was powerless to stop it. She wept for them. I'm not quite sure how it happened and Celestia seems to keep it to herself but as time went on, the ponies began to change. Soon they started walking on two legs instead of four. Their bone structures changed completely, a kind of metamorphosis that no one could explain. They started to become what we call "human". Sure, we still keep qualities from the past like our alicorns for unicorns and wings for pegasi but we're nothing like we used to be otherwise.

"So your sayin that these 'pony' people were actual us? We TAME horses. Heck, Ponyville got its name from our prize winnin horses! Why don't they talk to us? And why haven't they changed? And it’s not like THEY have alicorns or wings." Applejack crossed her arms. "I'm sorry but this is all too hard to swallow."

"I don't know everything, Jack. I'm sure time will explain it all... But for now please consider what I've said."
"Well here's what I don't understand... What does this all have to do with me? Obviously you didn't only want an escort through the forest. So spit it out... What's my role in this?"

A powerful surge of energy suddenly struck around Celesita, causing her to stumble back. The temple began to rumble like an earthquake. It came to a sudden stop when Celestia placed her hands on the ground, her alicorn glowing with magic.

"Princess! What's wrong?" Twilight said, running over to the princess’s side, helping her to her feet.

"Twilight... We're too late... She's here..." Celestia said, a sorrowful look filling her eyes.

"Oh no..." Twilight looked toward the sky and darkness started to surround the area. Small bits of light like stars could be seen over the shadowy cloak that now engulfed the castle. The cloak began to swirl into a black hole, sucking all the stars in and from the center of the hole, someone came forth. A large black horse fell from the engulfing darkness, landing across the room.

"Celestia... I've been looking for you, dear sister." the mare said, stretching her long black wings. Her Alicorn began to glow and the stones that Celestia stood before began to float, coming to the dark mare’s side."

"Luna..." Celestia said.

"Don't call me that! Luna is gone. All that is left is my hatred for you." The stones began to rotate around Nightmare Moon. "I see you were planning your old tricks. This won't work for you a second time, sister. These stones lost their power long ago. I made sure of that..."

Nightmare Moon took to the sky, flying over to another tower in the distance, the stones close behind.

"Luna!!" Celestia shouted. "Don't you turn away from me!" Celestia began to run and in a flash of prismatic light, changed into a beautiful white mare, taking to the sky after Nightmare."

Twilight grabbed the rapier that stood at her side, running toward the tower. "Jack! Stay here!" she yelled before leaving.
Jack stood there for a moment, her eyes wide open and her mind filled with disbelief. Still she shook her head, regaining herself. She grabbed her rifle and followed Twilight, despite being ordered not to follow.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Nightmare Moon landed by a large throne near a set of broken stain glass windows, Celestia landed across the room from her.

"Luna! Stop this! You don't need to be like this anymore." Celestia shouted. "Let me help you. Let US help you."

"I told you..." Nightmare Moon said softly, her Alicorn glowing with powerful black magic. "Not to call me LUNA!!!" From her horn dark shadows shot out, surrounding Celestia, a crushing feeling coming over her as if the shadows itself was closing in. Celestia simply stomped her hooves against the ground, shattering the shadows.

"I don't want to fight you, Luna. Not again. Our world can't handle another conflict like this! If you care about Equestria even in the slightest bit... Please..."

"Enough!" Nightmare's eyes lit up with a horrifyingly black glow. "There was a time I cared about Equestria. Those days have passed, sister!" She stomped her hooves against the ground, sending a shockwave under the stone toward her sister. Celestia took to the sky, avoiding a large explosion that shot from the ground. In doing this she didn't see Nightmare take flight, coming behind Celestia and casting another spell, four spikes stabbing into the princess and sending her to the ground, crashing hard into the floor. The spikes vanished upon impact, leaving Celestia lying upon the ground motionless. Nightmare Moon laughed as her hooves touched the ground, cracks in the floor lighting in a black fire with sparks that looked like tiny stars.

"You've gone soft, sister! Is this really the best you could do! This was too easy..." The mare began to draw closer to the princess, stopping in her tracks as Twilight suddenly leaped over Celestia, her sword pointed at Nightmare Moon.
Nightmare Moon grinned, almost amused at the young woman's bravery. "You're kidding..." Nightmare said. "You're kidding, right?"

Twilight didn't flinch. She was ready to fight and die for the princess though fear sweep over her. She could feel herself shaking with doubt.

"If this is the way you feel I will indulge you." A black cloud surrounded the mare and once it cleared a tall woman stood there, her long raven hair sparkling with stars and her eyes only a purple black color. A black mist formed around her hand, a sword appearing.

Twilight ran at Nightmare, their swords clashing together, causing a large spark of energy to surge. Twilight was skilled at swordplay but Nightmare seemed to parry her attacks almost effortlessly.

"You're boring..." Nightmare Moon stopped defending and went on the attack, clashing hard blows against Twilight's sword. "Come now! Why don't you use a bit of magic, unicorn? Why hide your linage behind these steel toys?"
Twilight began to lose her edge, unable to keep up with Nightmare's attack. Each hit was strong and fast, threatening to disarm her.

"Come now! Use your magic! Show me what Celestia has taught you!" Nightmare yelled, becoming impatient. Nightmare's eyes lit up in anger, cutting heavily into Twilight's wrist, causing her to drop the sword. Twilight dropped to the ground, holding the wound.

"You little fool... Did you hope to actually defeat me?" Nightmare lifted her sword. Before the final blow could come down, Nightmare drew back as a shot came into her back, a bullet pricing her dark skin. She didn't flinch, only twitched with annoyance as she turned to see Applejack taking aim at her, smoke coming from the end of the barrel of her rifle.
"Step away from my friend, you devil." Applejack said.

The human form melted away, taking the horrific mare look once again. "I'm sick of this. I am going to kill every single one of you right here and now..."

Nightmare's alicorn began to glow, a surge of energy blasting toward Applejack. The attack was deflected by a strange barrier that suddenly appeared in front of Jack.

"Stop it... Sister..." Celestia said, standing on her four legs. "You would never take someone’s life. That isn't you..."
"So you're awake..." Nightmare Moon said, turning to her sister. "Good... I wanted to see your eyes for the last time... Before I..."

Celestia's horn began to flow, lifting one of the stones that Nightmare had taken with her.

"This again? I told you these stones are useless. How long will you hold on to this fledging hope?"

The stone flew forth toward Nightmare Moon, almost hitting her. She moved to dodge it.

"Was that seriously all you had left? Now I'm truly disappointed." Nightmare Moon said, stepping closer to her sister. The stone kept flying, heading right toward Applejack. She flinched as it shot right at her face. Before the stone could hit her it started to slow down, the stone peeling away by light, causing Applejack to shield her eyes from the blinding flash. This caught Nightmare Moon's attention.

"What is this...? It can't be..."

The light engulfed Applejack, swirling around her. Finally the light gathered around her neck, creating a chain that held a large citrine. "What in the hell...?" Applejack said, looking at the new piece of jewelry. Nightmare Moon drew back slowly.
"No! It's using her as a substitute...!" Nightmare shook her head, looking to be in pain. "That noise... That horrid ringing noise! What is it?! Stop!" Nightmare Moon’s eyes flashed dark red,suddenly going from curious to fearful.

Celestia put on a sad look as she saw her sister in pain, turning back into a human. Nightmare Moon stretched her wings and took flight, flying out of sight.

"What in Equestria's goin on here!?" Applejack yelled. "Did this little thing just do that...?" She looked at the necklace.
"This is why you were brought here." Celestia said. "We were attacked before Twilight could explain. You, Applejack hold the power of Honesty, one of the six elements of Harmony. It has awakened within you. You are but one of many important pieces."

"Me...? But... But I don't understand... Why me? Just cuz I'm honest? I bet there are tons more people out there who are honest!"

"It doesn't work that way, Jack." Twilight said. "The stone chose, just like it chose you the first time."
"The first time...?" Applejack looked at the necklace. "This has all happened before...?" As she looked into the shiny citrine, a face appeared for a moment. It didn't look human. The face looked to be smiling as it appeared, some kind of pony. It vanished before jack could get a better look and the neckless sank into Jack's skin.

"Don't panic." The Princess said. "The Element used a lot of power. It's resting within you."

"I still don't understand any of this... I mean... I got enough problems as is. I have a farm to worry about! And my granny and Bloom... My future... Somethin tells me you want more from me but I simply can't."

"If Nightmare Moon continues to gain power there won't be a farm left to go home to." Twilight said. "We got lucky this time... Nightmare Moon has only just awoken and one Element was enough to drive her back for now but she'll soon have enough power to resist that. We need your help, Jack. If we don't stop her, everlasting night will return..."
Jack stomped the ground. "I can't believe this. I just can't. You show up after twelve years and get me into this mess!?" Jack took a deep breath...

"Give me some time to think at least... A day... Can I at least have that with my family?"
Celestia nodded. "It is more than fair. Though time is against us, I cannot bring myself to tear you away from your family without some kind of closure."

"Thanks... Thanks a bunch." Applejack grabbed her rifle. "Come on... Lets get on out of here. I'm sick of the sight."

"Agreed" Twilight said, heading toward the door.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Rarity had been walking nonstop through the woods, hoping she was far enough from the place she called home. Thoughts of what they might have done to her beautiful mother ran through her head, darkened with the memories of shots being fired as he father tried to help her escape. Fatigue came over her as well as hunger. She had not found so much as a cottage to ask for help or food. She feared the pirates might catch up with her and so she kept moving. Through a cut in the thick woods, in the distance Rarity saw a town by the sea. It was a beautiful sight. She made her way toward it as fast as her feet could take her.

"Port Canterlot..." She said to herself, reading a painted sign that pointed toward the town. "Perhaps I could find help here..." she held her stomach as it grumbled. "I'll surely die if I do not eat..." She began her way toward town again, moving down a dirt path.

Upon reaching town she could already smell an aroma of fresh bread in the air. A bridge leading into the town had food stands set up, showing many simple but filling dishes. To her, most of the food would be nothing compared to what she usually ate at home but right now anything would be a blessing. She felt around her once beautiful white dress now stained with dirt and blood, trying to find even one bit. She could find none, leaving her to the torture of the treats beyond her grasp. Wicked thoughts ran through her head, thinking about stealing an apple. "No one would miss one apple, would they...?" Rarity shook her head. "No! I won't resort to such measures. How could I even think about something like that?"

She wandered into town, looking at the tall houses. For a port town it was rather fancy and well guarded. Port Canterlot was the main shipping town for the towns in Canterlot. Pirates would be crazy to attack here which was a relief. Rarity wandered around for what seemed like hours, trying to find a place to stay for the night. Down one of the long streets there was a small shop with a child standing at the front yelling.

"Dressmakers needed! Looking to make some extra bits? Twenty bits per dress! If you know a bit about stitching this is the place for you!"

Rarity was in luck. Dressmaking was a passion for her and she could easily make enough dresses to buy some food. She didn't waste a moment running up to the child.

"Excuse me. I know quite a bit about dressmaking. I would happy to lend you my services."

"You came to the right place, lady! Step on in! You'll want to speak with the boss!"

Rarity nodded and went in, hoping that this would be the start to her luck turning around, even for just a little bit. With this money she would at least be able to get by.