Princesses of Equestria

Chapter 29: The Link of Harmony

The rations had nearly run out.

All that remained was Pinkie's glad-wrapped slice of rutabaga cake, which she intended to save for Armonia's going away party. A prospect Twilight found less likely with each passing minute. The longer they spent in here, the longer Armonia had to regain the phobomancy she'd lost to Discord.

Twilight was under no illusions. Armonia possessed thousands of living batteries, ready to feed her fear at the drop of a hoof. And what did Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy possess? Six empty stomachs, six depleted Elements, and one broken Heartstone.

They sat a safe distance upwind from its reeking pool, and ate everything but the 'baga cake. Spike and Rainbow lit a meagre fire, Applejack roasted her four leftover zap apples, Pinkie found three cupcakes buried in her tail, Fluttershy heated two cupfuls of her veggie stew, and Rarity produced one granola bar.

Portions were carefully divvied up, served, and consumed in listless quiet. For a time, the only sounds were the crackle of flames, the muted howl of stormwind wards, and the trickle of Heartstone sludge.

"This was where it happened, you know," Twilight said at last. "This was where Equus Nox became a monster." She took the only unread letter from the satchel beside her. Its speaking scrollpaper was soiled by burns. Its ink was the color of blood.

"Right to the end, Equus—Armonia—tried to heal Eponia's Heartstone. Right to the end, she failed. And so have I." Twilight threw the scroll aside and looked below, over the island's edge, to the devastation of Equinox Greens. "Celestia? Luna? Gone. Intellectus? Discord? Gone." She hunched, shivering from more than the cold. "My magic? Gone."

"We're here." Rarity daintily wiped Twilight's face with a hanky. "And Twilight, darling, we've still got some magic to share." On Rarity's neck, the Element of Generosity flickered anew. Along with four others.

"Eyup."

"One hundred percent."

"Okie dokie lokie."

"You're going to rely on me."

Five hooves touched Twilight's. Five fresh trickles of magic filled the emptiness inside. Then, to Twilight's amazement, a sixth came.

"Everything's gonna be fine, Twilight Flopple." Spike flicked her horntip, laid his scaly hand on her hoof, and puffed dragonfire. Her Element soaked it up as dry grass drinks rain.

Warmth returned to Twilight. Power came with it. Not in an overwhelming tide, but in the steady trickle of a spring water creek. She felt the beginnings of a smile. Given enough time, a creek could carve furrows through mountains.

"Then let's take it from the top, guys." For the third time, Twilight faced Eponia's Heartstone.

On both sides, the bearers of Harmony's Elements joined their wills to hers. As they did, the energies of their spell brushed the letter Twilight had discarded. Speaking scrollpaper uttered a familiar hiss. Everypony shut it out, and uttered the words they'd long since memorized.

"Quake, rock of Honesty!" Applejack stomped, scattering stones.

"Grow, seeds of Kindness!" Wildflowers bloomed at Fluttershy's feet, and released spores.

"Blow, wind of Laughter!" Pinkie's sapphire breeze ruffled their manes.

"Surge, water of Generosity!" Rarity's water lapped at their hooves.

"Burn, flame of Loyalty!" Rainbow Dash's flames warmed their hearts.

"Ignite, uh, breath of dragons!" Spike's improv needed work, but his dragonfire fuelled Twilight's magics even so.