When Equestria's safety is threatened by the dark forces of Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, and Tirek, Princess Celestia enlists Twilight Sparkle and her friends to aid in the protection of Equestria. But with the Elements of Harmony back in the Tree...
As Celestia's sun started to set, the six bearers of the Elements of Wilderness met under the oak under which four of them had gathered earlier in the day. In the rush nopony brought up a meeting place, but luckily everypony seemingly thought along the same lines and knew where to return. The three males had gotten there first and were waiting there when the other three arrived. Winter Frost, Whirlwind and Flora Blossom approached them in a fast trot. Upon seeing Flora Blossom, both Blaze and Tidal Wave made a beeline for her, telling her how they were so concerned.
"Are you alright?" Blaze asked the mare. "Did anypony go after you three?"
"Well, yes. A few creatures called changelings did attack us while we-" Flora Blossom was cut of by Tidal Wave.
"Are you hurt?" Tidal Wave questions assertively, taking her hoof before noticing scratches on it.
Flora pulled her hoof away slowly, "I'm fine. It's not even major. Besides, we're okay, aren't we?"
There were silent nods from everypony just before Blaze loudly shattered the silence.
"I knew it! For Celestia's sake, I knew I had a reason to worry!" Blaze half shouts.
After the mares filled the colts in on all the details of finding Flora and dealing with changelings, everypony settled down on top of the blanket Winter pulled out from her saddle bag again. Winter, Whirlwind, Geode and Blaze explained the answers to any questions Tidal Wave and Flora Blossom had until they seemed to understand the basic ideas. Winter told them why they needed them - though Flora had seen first hoof just how serious things were. She flipped through the most important pages, reviewing what everypony already knew quickly.
"Now, to get the elements, we're going to have to go into the Everfree Forest." Winter stated.
Being the first time she heard this, Flora gasped, "I've heard of that forest. The weather doesn't even need the help of ponies! And there are all sorts of creatures in there..."
"While that is true, I've heard there have been disappearances in Canterlot. I don't think we can afford to wait too long before we go into the Everfree Forest to retrieve the elements."
"Now that you mention it, there have been less ponies around the area I live in." Tidal Wave added seriously.
"I have no doubt in my mind that this relates to King Sombra, Queen Chrysalis, and Tirek are behind this." Winter affirmed with a nod.
"Then I think we need to go after them tomorrow." Said Geode.
"Tomorrow?!" Flora shouted while surprisingly still sounding delicate.
Geode looked at them all seriously, "King Sombra's no joke, and neither are the other two. I think the best thing to do is go in the morning."
"Yeah, it won't be so dark then and won't be nearly as dangerous." Whirlwind commented.
"We can pack tonight anything we could need for tomorrow." Blaze brought up.
Flora looked around at all of them nervously, shifting where she sat. She edged closer to Tidal Wave, seeking reassurance. Winter looked at her gently, and though she couldn't keep eye contact with her for long, she made sure Flora knew that they wouldn't being going there underprepared. Flipping to another page in the book, Winter tried to steer the others back on track and began reading new information to them.
According to the reference guide, the Elements of Wilderness can be used separately, unlike the Elements of Harmony. They also amplify the users power beyond whatever it originally may have been. The elements only reveal themselves and allow somepony to wield them if they correspond with the same type of power they have. Winter read the next part aloud slowly, proceeding with caution as she told them of the possible danger the elements posed. Though the elements were excellent tools in facing dark forces, they're destructive, dangerous, and take a lot of magic power to use.
"If the elements take a lot of power to use, how do we know we would even be able to use them?" Blaze questioned, holding back further criticism.
Tidal nodded stiffly, "This whole ordeal would be rather pointless if we can't use them."
He continued to wear the serious - impassive even - expression he had since everypony gathered. Soon the rest expressed the same concern in their own ways. After a bit of talking it through, Winter assured them that she had no doubt that they would be able to retrieve them.
"I've never been more confident about anything else in my life!" She promised, conviction in her voice. "We can make this happen."
Beside Winter, Whirlwind drew in a small breath. Winter was confident about this. Confident. The alicorn had previously only shown confidence about a few things in front of only her. Was Winter... becoming less shy?
While Whirlwind kept the idea in the back of her mind, shock still slowing her thoughts, she participated in the discussion about leaving to find the elements tomorrow and finding places for everypony to stay the night. Geode had missed his train back to the Crystal Empire hours ago, so nothing else was preventing him from staying the night. Luckily Geode, Blaze, and Tidal Wave had enough bits to cover a nights stay at an inn. When Flora Blossom shamefully admitted that in her haste to leave her house in Appaloosa before "something else happened," she left the bits she had been meaning to take on the dresser.
"Don't worry, I've got your back, Flora." Tidal assured, smiling for the first time since he got to Ponyville. "I'll make sure you get a room at the inn."
"Great, now that that's settled, please make sure to bring what we discussed for tomorrow's trip into the Everfree forest." Winter reminded everypony. "I know this is a big responsibility... so I'm glad all of you seem to be on board."
Flora shifted her gaze to the ground then back to Winter, "It really is a lot to take in, you're definitely right... But Equestria needs us, so, if y'all in, I'll try my best to be brave."
At this Tidal Wave seemed to swell with happiness and wrapped his wing around her in turn. With reassurance in the form of Whirlwind's smirk, Winter drew their meeting to a close and everypony wished each other good night.
The bright stars of Luna's night cast shadows onto ground from every tree, every park bench, and everypony as they walked away. The light of the moon only made the Everfree Forest seem darker and darker still the more distance the six ponies put between it and themselves. After they had long been gone, a buff red arm made it's way out of the forest's shadow. Tirek stepped into the moonlight, looking left and right before disappearing, leaving only orange sparkling magic residue in the air before that too faded away into the night.
AN: Heeelloooo everypony! Sorry, I know it's been about a month. School just started back up so it was a bit harder to find some time to finish off my chapter. What did you think? I know I need to work on some things so friendly feedback would be appreciated. Things will be picking up even more soon!Please comment (They all make me smile and give me my coveted feedback) and vote (if you liked it).
With love, TheSecretAlicorn
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