---Twilight POV---
As I threw books around the room after reading their titles. I was looking for a specific word, so I was speaking aloud. "Elements… elements… elements. Ugh, how can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony!"
I felt a hand on my shoulder and spin me around, stopping me from looking through the books. They were here to help me, hopefully. Rainbow spoke up with a tense tone of voice. "What are the Elements of Harmony Twilight?"
Applejack quickly yanked Rainbow backward. "Slow down, Rainbow."
Rarity quickly spoke up in my defense. "Twilight will explain everything, girls, but we need to give her a second to breathe."
Rainbow huffed before floating off to the side, giving me a little space so I could speak up. I looked and saw that even though they were worried, they were waiting for me to be ready. "The Elements of Harmony are what the magic of Harmony is made up of. I need to find the book about them to explain in detail."
As they listened to me, I had noticed that Pinkie was not really paying attention and instead looking through the books off to the side. "I read about the Elements of Harmony in the book Predictions of Nightmare Moon."
They listened to my explanation while nodding their heads. "They are Mysteries Objects that were used to defeat Nightmare Moon and seal her away last time she was out of her prison. I don't know what they are and where to find them."
I was quickly becoming distraught at the thought because usually, I have a plan for this kind of thing. I was shocked to hear Pinkie Pie speak up. "Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide."
I had teleported across the room, looking up at the book in shock because I could not find it all. "Pinkie, how did you find it? I looked everywhere."
She singsong at me with laughter in her eyes. "It was under the E's."
As I thought about her words, I slowly lowered my face into my hands. I literally just missed it. I could see the mirth in their eyes. Applejack spoke up. "You got Pinkie'd Twilight."
The confusion must have been plain to see because Rarity spoke up next. "Things go missing, then Pinkie finds them in straightforward locations."
As I took the book to the pedestal in the middle of the room and set the book on it so they could all see. I slowly read aloud for everyone. "there are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are truly known--- Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The Sixth is still a complete mystery to this day."
As I read the last passage aloud, I could not help but gulp in worry. "It is known the last location of the Five known Elements of Harmony is in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters… it is located in the Everfree forest."
I slowly closed the book before sighing. I nodded my head with determination. "Then that is where I am going."
"Twilight, there is a reason that we do not enter the Everfree forest unless we have no other choice." Rarity Informed while looking at the Others.
"The Everfree forest is perilous, Twilight the animals in there are extremely dangerous to be around," Rainbow said before. "If you are going, we are as well."
"Girls, you do not need to do this," I spoke up quickly, trying to talk them out of this.
Pinkie grabbed my shoulders and turned me towards her. "We are your friends Twilight and friends do not leave each other behind."
Tears started prickling at the side of my eyes. "Oh, gosh, I do not know why I started tearing up."
I was shocked when Pinkie pulled me into a group hug with the rest of the girls. Pinkie comforted me. "We can do this. Twilight friends do not abandon friends."
---Time skip ten minutes Pinkie Pies view---
As the girls gathered what they would need for the trip through the forest. I gently pulled out the necklace that Onyx threw at me. I was surprised that, along with the Runes on it, it opened to a picture of the guys looking annoyed with the photo and the girls and me on the other. 'I am going to need a new photo because Twilight is not in this.'
As we slowly walked through the town, I looked over at the giant dome around Onyx's house. I was shocked that shadow monsters were attacking it. "What are those Twilight?"
They turned their head, watching the dome take a beating. I heard Twilight whisper in dread. "Nightmares."
I was confident that I was not the only one confused. We looked at Twilight in curiosity. "Beasts from the Dreamlands most likely they were created because of the Everfree forest."
"The Everfree forest has its own magical ecosystem. In it, there is an animal called dream maker that if a dream touches it while sleeping will bring it to life." Twilight informed in sadness, "Most of the time it is not a problem because most ponies have just that dreams, but if a nightmare touches it, they spawn the nightmare."
"Is the creature dangerous, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked in a worried tone.
"It is the size of a squirrel." Twilight informed with mirth, "and it is extremely docile, one lives in Canterlot in the zoo. It is normally not a problem, but with all the nightmares, it is probably the most dangerous creature."
"You would not even know it was there if you walked past it," Twilight spoke as she slowly led us on the path to the entrance of the Everfree forest. "It is from the discordant ere."
We could not help but chuckle at the description that she gave what is probably causing massive amounts of Chaos right now. I quickly asked. "any other problems we will most likely have?"
---Rarity's POV---
Pinkies is doing an excellent job of distracting Twilight from her worries, but she is quickly running out of topics. Twilight spoke in slow thought. "Most creatures are probably hiding right now. The alpha predators might be out and about, but they are also not looking for a fight right now."
"Tell us about the Princess Twilight." I quickly gave a topic that would most likely be able to take her mind off the worries plaguing her. The others promptly shot me a thumbs up, realizing this might distract her for a while. 'Twilight does not have a plan.'
'She is currently panicking, and she has no idea what to do.' I watched her light up before going into an explanation about what it was like to be Princess Celestia's student and all the things she had learned from her. It was genuinely staggering about how fast Twilight would be able to learn something. We call Onyx a prodigy, but Twilight is a certified genius. Onyx was able to create his own thing with runes, but Twilight was able to learn multiple things at once and learn them well. 'She has no idea how to interact with people.'
---Time skip entrance to the Everfree forest Twilights POV---
As we had arrived at the entrance to one of the few dangerous places. I realized that it felt like we were able to get here quickly. "Thank you for distracting me."
They smiled at me as we stood there. "You really do not have to do this with me."
"She is exactly like Applejack," Rainbow spoke to the others while the others beside Applejack nodded their heads.
"What the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack spoke in outrage.
"You can not ask for help even if it was killing you, Darling." Rarity teased Applejack softly. Applejack looked at them in affront. I could not help but realize that Princess Celestia knew all about the Elements of Harmony. 'She sent me here to gather the elements for her.'
I watched as Pinkie slowly led the way. 'Pinkie literally has no fear about anything.'
As we followed Pinkie, I could not help but wonder why they were helping me do this. I know they called me friend, but they are following me into a fight against an alicorn. I heard Fluttershy speak up in a low tone of voice. "So, none of you have ever been in here?
"Heavens no Fluttershy, I am not really an outdoor type of pony," Rarity answered the fastest "I prefer a warm nook in my house and a good book."
"The land is not natural Fluttershy. It does not work like regular land." Applejack informed in worry.
"What does that mean?" Fluttershy asked in curiosity.
Rainbow quickly spoke in a spooky and jokey tone. "N-n-no pony knows. Do you want to know why?... because no pony has never come out."
The trio of them, Rarity Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, jumped, but from what I saw, Pinkie only jumped for fun. Applejack scolded Rainbow, "That was not funny, Rainbow."
After her little joke, the ground gave way under us leading us to sliding down the cliff. As we were skating, I noticed Rainbow and Fluttershy grab Rarity and Pinkie. Applejack was able to hold a plant to stop her momentum. There was nothing for me to grasp on to. I nearly flew off the edge. As I am dangling off a ledge of a cliff, I hear Applejack call out. "I am coming to get you Twilight."
"Thank you, Applejack, but I know this is rude, but could you please hurry!" I babbled in a panic.
As she grabbed my arms, I realized that she did not have a stable enough footing to pull me up. I asked quickly because I did not want to fall. "What do I do to help Applejack?"
She was straining and looking at our position before she looked around for help. I do not know what she saw before she looked back at me and smiled. "Let go, Twilight."
I looked at her in shock. "Are you crazy, Applejack? I will not survive the fall."
"You know I am not crazy, Twilight. I just need you to trust me." She smiled down at me. "I promise you that you will be safe."
"No, I won't!" I spoke in panic, slightly yelling at her.
"I am telling you straight to your face that you will be alright. I am telling you the whole honest truth." Applejack spoke, trying to convince me. "Let go, you will be safe, I promise."
I looked Applejack in the eyes and quickly realized that I would have to trust her because she believed it. I let go of her hands and slowly fell off the cliff. I quickly realized what I had just done. "Oh my gosh, I am so dumb, I am going to die."
I felt two pairs of arms grab me as I was falling. I breathed in shock before looking and seeing Rainbow and Fluttershy. I looked down at the ground and saw Rarity and Pinkie Pie. "Thank you, Rainbow, Fluttershy."
"We got you, Twilight." Rainbow comforted me.
When I was back on the ground, I quickly fell to my knees, realizing that I had almost died. I felt two more pairs of arms quickly hug me. I was in a group hug watching as Applejack jumped down the cliff with next to no problems. Applejack asked me. "Are you okay, Twilight?"
"Yeah, I am fine; no broken bones and no scrapped skin." I laughed breathlessly with panic in my voice. "Thank you, Applejack."
As we moved on, I was slowly getting tired of Rainbow boasting about saving us, but I had realized that was her way of trying to comfort us. I could tell she was genuinely terrified about us almost dying. She was telling us in her own way that she was always going to be there to save us. Before I stopped because a manticore jumped out in front of us. I quickly identified the creature for them "it is a manticore, and it is in the path we are taking to the Castle… we have to get past him. It will take too long to double back."
As it jumped towards us, I watched as Rarity dodge before kicking it in the face. "Take that, you ruffian."
I was not shocked that it did not react to it at all and roared in Rarity's face. She jumped back in shock. "Rarity!"
"I am fine, girls' focus!" Rarity said before Rainbow quickly started trying to make the Manticore dizzy before she got smacked away as we motioned to start an attack.
Fluttershy jumped between us, screaming at us to "Wait!"
As we stopped, I watched her walk up to the Manticore. Moving closer and got it to show its foot. "Oh, you poor baby."
Rainbow spoke in shock "baby?"
I watched her grab something from the foot, watching the manticore roar in pain before hugging her and licking her face. I was shocked before listing to her talk to the Manticore. "Oh, you are just a big old baby kitty, aren't you?"
As we walked past what was supposed to be an alpha predator, I looked at the thorn on the ground. As Fluttershy got out and walked towards me and I just had to ask in genuine curiosity. "How did you know about the thorn?"
I could not help my surprise when she said. "I didn't, but sometimes all we need is a little Kindness."
I looked at the group in thought, then swished my head to Applejack and Fluttershy… 'No, it is not possible after all the Elements are items.'
As we moved forward, I was confused about the trees getting even thicker. Rarity spoke up, hoping for a small break. "I need a rest, girls."
As we walked forward, the moon was gone entirely, and it was pitch black. I quickly informed them. "The castle could be right in front of us, and we won't be able to see it."
As we apologized for bumping into each other, a tree exploded in red light with a monstrous face. Fluttershy screamed in shock as more and more trees were infected, becoming a monstrous tree. Everyone jumped away into a circle in surprise before I noticed Pinkie was not there.
I was surprised to hear Pinkie burst into laughter. As I turned my head, I noticed that everyone was looking over at her. She was making funny faces at the trees with noises that I could only call comedic. I quickly asked in shock, "Pinkie, what are you doing?"
I felt the Harmony magic in the air resonate for a second as Pinkie started singing. "Please tell me she is not singing a heart song right now."
Rarity was equally shocked as we listened to Pinkie sing. "She is."
As we watched her bounce around and sing, I could not help but wonder how she can sing a heart song right now in the middle of such a dangerous place. Rainbow could not help but ask after one of her lines, "Well, how do you deal with fear?"
As we slowly laughed at the trees, watching them get cured by our laughter. 'Princess Celestia, I do not know what to do because it looks like I might be wrong about something. As far as I can tell, the Elements might be people, not a couple of objects.'
As the group was led by Pinkie, we were surprised that a river that was supposed to be calm on the map we had it had become a rapid. The crying surprised the group, and we quickly moved up the river to see what was wrong. I spoke in genuine awe, "A Water Dragon."
I walked forward to get his attention. "Excuse me, sir, are you alright?"
"No, I am not young lady. While I was sitting here minding my own business, a gaudy blue cloud flew past me and cut off my exquisite facial hair." He said while gesturing to his ripped of hair. He quickly burst into tears. "Now I look simply horrid."
I looked at him, flopping around the water. Applejack asked, confused. "That is what the fuss is about?"
I was kind of shocked when Rarity sounded offended on his behalf. "Why, of course, it is!"
"Just look at him; he has such beautiful scales, his excellent Coifed mane, his fabulous manicure." We watched as he preened at every compliment that Rarity gave in shock. "All ruined without your beautiful mustache."
"It is true I am hideous," he spoke with tears in his eyes.
Rarity quickly answered. "I simply cannot let such a crime against fashion go uncorrected."
I watched her pull out a pocket knife and quickly cut her hair off. The water dragon promptly fainted, and his head hit the ground. "Rarity…"
As we watched her use her magic to connect the hair to his mustache and color it to match. I walked up to her in worry. "Oh, Rarity, your hair…"
"Do not worry, my dear short hair is in." She gave us a slightly shaky smile. "It will grow back."
Rainbow spoke up under her breath. "So will the mustache."
I saw that the river was calm again, so I started to cross. I called out to the girls, "We can cross now."
I was surprised when he laid down like a bridge. "Allow me, my dear."
As we walked through the forest, I could not help but look at the girls I was traveling with. 'Fluttershy… kindness. Applejack… honesty. Rarity… generosity. Pinkie… laughter. But the elements are items, aren't they.'
'Oh, Princess Celestia, I could really use your advice right now.' I thought to myself before noticing the Castle. "There it is the ruins that hold the Elements of Harmony."
I quickly rushed forward before I was grabbed by Rainbow. I looked at her in confusion before she pointed forward. "The bridge is out."
"Oh no, what do we do now." I looked around for another bridge before Rainbow poked my shoulder and floated into the air. "Oh right."
I watched her fly across the gorge; as the mist picked up, I heard a slight whisper in the wind. "Rainbow…"
"Oh no, she is on her own," I spoke with worry as we waited for the bridge to be ready. The fog slightly uncovered we could see her surrounded by three unknown Pegasus. "Rainbow! Whatever they are saying, do not listen to them."
The fog quickly moved into our vision. As we waited, I prayed for a miracle because I knew what element Rainbow most likely was, but we were lost if I was wrong. As she flew back across the bridge. I smiled. "Welcome back, Rainbow."
'Princess Celestia, I truly hope the items we will get are the real Elements of Harmony because I do not want them to fight against an alicorn.' I looked at them in worry. Rainbow spoke up to them as they walked across the bridge. "See, I would never let my friends down."
As we quickly entered the Castle, we had rapidly gathered the Elements of Harmony into a circle in front of Me. I looked around for a sixth before realizing. "The book said when the five elements have gathered, a spark will cause the sixth to appear."
Applejack quickly asked in confusion. "What does that mean, Twilight?"
"I am not sure, but I have an Idea." I informed them, "Stand back. I do not know what will happen."
As I started channeling my magic into the items, I heard Applejack call out. "Let's head outside, girls. Give her a little space to concentrate."
---POV Celestia---
'Twilight does not think they are the real Elements of Harmony' I smirked as Rose stood in front of me in worry. She bowed at me along with my guards because they think Twilight will succeed as well. 'You know what the Elements are, my dear Twilight.'
'You already figured it out, haven't you, Twilight? You just do not want to risk your friends.' I watched Luna quickly teleport her to somewhere else. 'Always one to gloat, Luna.'
---POV Onyx---
Big mac is looking at me in worry. I am drenched in sweat, and my horn hurts but the necklace I gave Pinkie told me all I needed to know. 'it is almost over, guys, now girls bring it home.'
---Ethereal POV---
Harmony sat across from Discord. 'Win or Lose, this is it Discord.'
Discord nodded in agreement. 'Are you prepared to do what you must if your current Elements are not able to do it?'
Harmony looked saddened. 'Yes, I am.'
Harmony may be ready to strike down Luna, but she believes in her agents and will not do it until the absolute last moment.