Chapter 25

Fluttershy, Meadow and Ivy burst into the room, panic painted over their face.

"Fluttershy! Are you okay?" Dash asked, landing next to her friend.

"Dis......Dis....Discord..." Fluttershy stuttered, eyes widening in panic. Even Ivy, a normally tough little filly, had tears of shock rolling down her cheeks.

All five of Fluttershy's friends hardened. Every muscle in their body tensed, as if ready for battle.

That was when Discord's voice echoed around the walls.

"Come out, come out wherever you are...." Came his mocking voice. Fluttershy, Meadow and Ivy immediately shot behind the three Dash family members; Fluttershy behind Rainbow Dash, Meadow behind her coltfriend and Ivy behind Cloud.

"Show yourself, Discord!" Twilight yelled. By this time, all unicorns in the room were firing up spells, all earth ponies ready to kick and punch. Flash patrolled the sky while the Dash family moved defensively in front of the frightened pegasi behind them.

"Oh, but what's the fun in that?" Discord sighed, his voice distant and his body still out of sight.

"Okay, that's it! Girls, formation!" Yelled Twilight. Her friends went into their positions, readying themselves for Twilight's activation spell. They may have given the elements to the Tree of Harmony, but the castle was part of the tree. As long as they were inside the castle, they could still harness the elements power.

Twilight's horn glowed a deep magenta and....nothing happened. All that did happen was Discord popped in front of them with a evil smirk on his face.

"Oh well, guess the elements don't work after all..." He grinned, snapping his fingers and gluing all six mares hooves to the ground.

"Discord! Release us!" Twilight shouted, tugging her hooves.

"Sorry 'Princess', but I have to keep you occupied while I take over Equestria." Discord said, waving his paw in the air.

Dash, who was the nearest to Fluttershy, could see her friend was on the verge of tears. She quickly nuzzled her reassuringly, rewarded by a small smile from her friend.

"No!" A voice yelled. Everypony turned around (as best as they could) to see who spoke. To everypony's surprise, it was Meadow, who had stepped out from behind her boyfriend."Dad, your turning into a monster! Can you just stop and think about other ponies feelings for once?"

Discord rolled his eyes."And why in Equestria should I do that for?"

"Because..." Meadow said, her voice cracking. "Because everypony deserves a little kindness."

Suddenly, a ball of turquoise light slipped out of Meadow's chest, pulling her into the sky. That was when the ball burst.

"Twilight! What's happening?" Fluttershy whimpered.

"I don't know!" Twilight replied, fidgeting as she gazed in amazment.

The light subsided to show Meadow hovering in the air. However, everypony was attracted to the object around her neck; a golden necklace with a turquoise gem shaped as a music note embedded in the center.

"The new Element of Kindness!" Twilight shouted. "No wonder our magic didn't work!"

As Twilight said that, the same happened to the Dash twins; Cloud with a light blue gem shaped as a cloud, Blitz a navy blue gem shaped as a bolt.

"New Elements of Loyalty!" Twilight uttered joyfully.

Next was Emerald. Her gem was, obviously, an emerald shaped as a four point gem.

"Element of Generosity!" Twilight said excitedly.

Next; the Pie twins; Cheddar had a orange gem shaped as a spoon while his sister had a pink gem shaped as a cherry.

"Element of Laughter!" Twilight shouted, on the verge of screaming.

Apple Harvest then recieved the Element of Honesty with a red gem shaped as an apple.

Finally, Gala was whisked up into the air, and was gifted with a crown, similar to Twilight's, but with a magenta gem shaped as a five point star.

"Element of Magic!" Twilight screamed. Gala closed her eyes, feeling the element's power surge through her. She knew what magic it was: the magic of friendship.

Gala opened her eyes, to reveal them glowing white. Their parents were freed from their imprisoned state by their children's friendship.

The eight new element bearers drifted to the ground, ready to fight Discord, only to find he had disappeared.

"Don't worry about him.." Twilight said to element bearers. "After all, you'll have plenty of time to fight him later. Right now, it's time to celebrate!"