S4 E2 everypony! Castle Mane-ia is up next!

Sorry about the long wait, we had a pretty bad internet black out for 3 and a half weeks but I'll try to be more frequent with my stories when I can.

....

"AHAHAHA, HAHAHA!" Shrilled Nightmare Moon while still laughing before her face switched drastically into a glare, making Malibu back away in dread, wondering what provoked his aunt into going back into Nightmare Moon!

Nightmare shot her magic at the ceiling, Malibu gasping in fright at the debris falling and ducked out of the way, cowering a little as Nightmare stepped out of the cloud of smoke. Some more hoofsteps sounded and Malibu now saw… his mother.

He glanced back at Nightmare, wanting to stop his family from fighting any further. "Auntie Luna! Think of how long you got banished to the moon! I don't want you to go back there! Please!" He screamed, tears falling down his face.

Celestia spoke up after he did. "Luna, I will not fight you! You must lower the moon! It is your duty!" She roared.

Nightmare frowned, her eyes utterly evil which sometimes still reminded Malibu of Thailog's former mate Demona. "Luna? I am... Nightmare Moon!" His ears flattened. This felt hopeless. "I have but one royal duty now; to destroy you!" The midnight blue alicorn shot her evil magic near Celestia, Malibu ducking again as Celestia dodged, flying out of the hole in the ceiling.

"And where do you think you're going?!" Nightmare sneered, taking off after her. Malibu frowned, knowing he had to follow and save his mom, flying into the air after them both, Nightmare continuing to shoot magic at Celestia.

It kept up, flying all around the old castle that Malibu didn't even recognize which looked quite old, wondering why his mom didn't tell him about it at all, but then his heart stopped when a magic beam shot at his mom right in her side, making her scream in agony, falling down into another building in the castle.

Malibu's ears rang, tears flooded down his face. "NNOOOOO!" He shrieked, soaring down after the white alicorn while Nightmare hovered above in the air near the moon, laughing sadistically in triumph, now thinking she could rule it all in her eternal night.

Landing near where his mom fell, Malibu weakly stepped over, his face wet with tears, seeing her lying there very still. "Mom... mom..." he croaked, shaking badly. "Why would... my aunt do this again?" Malibu knelt down, sniffling, and tried to touch her body. But to his surprise, his hoof went right through it like an illusion.

"What? What's going on?" Malibu rasped, trying to feel again but it still wasn't working. Was all of this just some kind of memory? It had to be. After staring at his mother's fallen form for a while; she suddenly stood up weakly.

It made Malibu smile in happiness and relief that she survived but wished he could talk to her as Celestia spoke. "Oh dear sister, I am sorry. You have given me no choice, but to use these..."

She used her magic to open a mysterious secret door in the ground, Malibu staring in awe as he saw something familiar: The Elements.

"Those have to be the Elements from back then, when you banished Aunt Luna," He whispered, staring at his own indigo one on the pedestal that was shaped like a plain gem. Celestia flew up, levitating the Elements over to her, Malibu spotting Twilight's appearing but still looking like her cutie mark.

He stayed put down on the ground this time as the Elements swirled around his mother, watching her somehow use them by herself, creating a protective shield, soaring into the sky to confront her sister. Malibu sheilded his gaze, watching Nightmare Moon charge up her own dark magic, Celestia directing the Element's magic at her target while she cried, the rainbow laser barreling in her direction.

"NOOOOOOO!" Screeched Nightmare after the rainbow wave struck her body, sending her right into the moon. Malibu saw the moon now harboring the silhouette of his aunt which would remain for a thousand moons until he arrived.

Vision fading away, he was back in Ponyville, blinking his eyes and seeing his friends staring. Twilight was blinking as well.

Twilight and him stared back. "Why are you all looking at us like that?" She asked.

Applejack looked awkward. "Well, it's just... you both were mumblin' to yerselves..."

Pinkie Pie spoke up. "Ooh! And don't forget the uncontrollable sobbings!"

Fluttershy lowered her ears. "We were really worried about you both."

Malibu blinked again. "So, you couldn't see what we were seeing?" The rest shook their heads. Discord though had to ruin this moment.

"I for one found it delightful. Sort of a one-pony theater piece, if you will." He brought out a poster of him and Twilight crying which got on Malibu's nerves. "You should both really consider taking it on the road."

The teal alicorn shoved him away. "Can it, Discord! What I saw really… really felt like it was gonna break me," He croaked, his eyes feeling ready to leak out tears again. Discord raised his brow at Malibu but this time decided not to say anything.

Twilight herself looked sorrowful as well. "We both saw something from a long time ago, but it didn't explain what's happening now."

Zecora handed them both the bottle again. "Perhaps farther back still are the answers you seek. Another sip of the potion will give you a peek."

Spike held his hands nervously. "You sure about this?" He asked nervously. Malibu himself was scared to drink that stuff again but he wanted to be brave for his mom. "It-It's the only way." He murmured, Twilight smiling at him proudly.

She took a sip, then handed it to Malibu. Both their eyes glowed white, and Malibu saw his vision change once more.

Shaking his head Malibu glanced around at where he could be. Everything looked strange, which brought him back memories of when Ponyville was the Chaos Captial of the World. Turning around, his eyes widened when seeing Celestia and Luna approaching what looked like Discord's old throne.

Past Discord turned around, smiling mischeviously. "Oh, this is so much fun. How about a game of Pin the Tail on the Pony?" He held up what looked like Celestia's tail.

Malibu had to stifle a laugh despite the situation being serious, mostly at the look on his mom's face before she glared again. "Playtime is over for you, Discord!" Celestia stormed, glowering.

Discord shrugged, holding a bag of what looked like black seeds. "Oh, I doubt that." He ate some, which had him shudder. "Hungry?" Two of the black seeds hit Celestia and Luna then fell on the ground. "Hmph. Suit yourselves!" He kept up his eating.

The former gargoyle stared as he watched his mom and aunt pull out what looked like the Elements of Harmony again. Maybe soon he'll see some kind of clue. "Oooh, what have you got there?" Discord asked, the 7 Elements beginning to shine.

"The Elements of Harmony!" Celestia declared.

"With them, we shall defeat you!" Luna stormed, a protective shield from the Elements Malibu knew so well surrounding them both, his heart thumping when feeling the power from his. "I guess this was when they first turned Discord to stone." Malibu concluded, a hoof on his chin.

Discord chortled uproariously. "You should see yourselves right now! The expressions on your faces. So intense, so sure of yourselves!" He kept laughing, not seeing Celestia and Luna pairing their horns together, focusing the rainbow beam onto their enemy. "Hilarious!" As Discord laughed harder, Malibu saw how he made that pose when first seeing his statue in the garden.

Then to his surprise the scene switched, and a loud gasp escaped him. For what Malibu saw he couldn't believe.

It was a huge crystalized tree of some kind, bearing 6 branches along with a star in the center, and below a sun and moon. It glowed as bright as a star, and was the most beautiful thing Malibu had ever seen.

Luna gasped too, she and Celestia approaching the ancient tree. "The Tree of Harmony!" Luna exclaimed.

"The Tree of what?" Malibu asked, recognizing Twilight's cutie mark in the middle. Celestia flew up, casting a spell on the tree to open up the Element seeds inside. "Are you sure?" Luna questioned, joining her sister.

Celestia nodded. "We have managed to discover the only means by which we can defeat Discord and free the citizens of Equestria. Even without these Elements, the Tree of Harmony will possess a powerful magic. As long as that magic remains, it will continue to control and contain all that grows here." The Elements floated around the sisters, until Malibu's eyes returned to the real world, rubbing them.

Spike looked rather eager. "So, what did you guys find out?"

Malibu swallowed. "I-I saw something that may be connected to the Elements." He revealed, Twilight speaking next. "We still don't know what's happened to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, but I think I know why the Everfree Forest is acting this way. Something's happened to the Tree of Harmony."

Rightfully so, the rest of the bearers and Screwball were confused. "The Tree of What now?" Rainbow asked in disbelief. Malibu had a hoof on her shoulder. "I saw the Tree, if it was in a past memory then it must be real." He stated. Dash wasn't so sure of that but she trusted her special somepony, as she agreed.

Twilight looked down. "It's where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna found the Elements. I think it is in danger."

Applejack smiled, her hoof in the air. "Well, alright then! Let's go save a… tree. Uh, where is it exactly?"

It made the mullberry alicorn gulp. "I think it's in… there!" She squeaked, pointing to the Forest.

Malibu moaned at the thought of going in there at this time, staring in fear at those branches having been knocked out by them before. Discord sat in his theater chair, wearing 3D glasses even. "Ooh-hoo! I'm going to need more popcorn!" He said eagerly.

Screwball hopped up and down. "If you're going, I'm going too!" She exclaimed. Discord though heard that, using his magic to halt her. "Don't think so, young mare. You're my daughter and I won't let you be eaten alive by my-uh, the vines." He declared. Malibu raised his brow by his change of words but shrugged it off.

"Awww, daddy!" Screwball complained, Malibu smiling at her. "This can be a job for only the Element Bearers Screwball. But you can help here by ensuring the ponies are safe."

It made Screwball give in, nodding reluctantly. "Good luck Mal." Screwball murmured, Malibu nodding, the two going to find the safest entrance into the Forest. They managed to find one but stood still, a little hesitant at first about going in.

Rarity looked nostalgic for a moment. "Seems like only yesterday we were heading into these woods to find the Elements of Harmony and rescue Malibu from Nightmare Moon," She said softly.

Malibu flinched. He didn't want to remember being kidnapped that night while Twilight nodded. "Seems only yesterday I was foolish enough to think I should go after them on my own. I don't kow what we're going to face in there. But whatever it is, I know we need to face it together."

The others all nodded in agreement, Malibu hoping they can get rid of these vines and find his mom.

....

The Mane 7 trekked through the forest for quite some time until coming across a bog. Twilight looked for any kind of steps until she spotted some rocks. "We can use those to cross." She told the others, starting to jump across though Malibu wondered why she and him didn't just fly over.

As he was about to join Twilight in the crossing the stones suddenly shifted; Malibu's eyes widening at what was going on until to everypony's surprise, a huge reptile appeared out of the swamp that looked like a crocodile.

Rarity screamed. "A cragadile! Run for your lives!" Everypony scattered, Malibu taking to the air.

"Twilight, fly!" He roared after she jumped to shore. She did, but her wings barely responded, having her suddenly backed into a rock, the cragadile closing in on her.

Malibu glared, shooting his magic hard at the beast who turned around, snarling at him, and nearly snapped his tail. A vine next wrapped around its muzzle, along with its tail and feet which was the work of his 5 other pony friends and Spike. He helped Spike keep a hold on his vine until the cragadile was all tied up.

Twilight trembled from her near death experience. "That, was close," She said shakily.

Applejack agreed. "Too close if you ask me, are you sure you're alright?"

The mulberry alicorn nodded. "I'm fine. I just can't seem to get these new wings to do what I want when I want them to do it."

Malibu tried a smile of encouragement. "It took me some time to get used to mine after only being able to glide as a gargoyle. You'll soon figure it out eventually." He tried but Twilight still wasn't convinced.

"'Eventually' isn't soon enough Mal." She argued back at him.

Applejack however looked doubtful. "You have been having an awful lot of trouble with those things. And, well, who knows what else is gonna come after us?"

The former gargoyle eyed her in suspicion. "Just what are you saying AJ?" He asked.

The cowgirl lowered her ears. "Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea for Twilight and probably you to go back to Ponyville and let us look for the Tree of Harmony instead."

Those words caused Malibu's eyes to glow at that point. "What…?! You can't mean that! After everything we've been through together?!" He roared, Applejack backing away slightly but still not losing her reason.

Twilight agreed with what he said, her eyes shocked. "I agree. "Why?"

Applejack continued. "For starters, you just about got eaten by a cragadilly." She explained, which felt like a lame excuse to Malibu.

"It wasn't just her he was after, I was nearly eaten too." Malibu argued, holding his tail. Twilight nodded. "He was after all of us."

"Yeah, but, the rest of us aren't royalty." Applejack added in, which made Malibu's cheeks burn. That word again for an excuse.

"What's that got to do with anything?" Twilight stormed.

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are gone. If… if somethin' happened to you both, I-I just don't think Equestria can lose another Princess or a Prince."

Malibu was ready to kick something at this point, hating that his friends were thinking he and Twilight couldn't handle themselves fine just because they were royalty.

Rarity's eyes were sad. "Applejack does make a valid point. Even if we manage to save the Tree of Harmony, it won't necessarily mean Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will return. Equestria will need somepony to lead in their absence."

Twilight was rather angry too. "But the Tree of Harmony! We're the only ones who has seen it and knows what it looks like!" She argued back, Malibu nodding too.

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Huge tree, cutie marks on the trunk, probably being attacked by something hideously awful? Yeah, I'm pretty sure we'll know it when we see it."

Those words she said broke Malibu's heart a little. "Dash, even… even you?" He whispered, ears very flat, the rainbow pegasus flushing when he said those words.

Twilight had tears now. "All of you feel this way? Feel like, we shouldn't be here?"

The others lowered their heads. Fluttershy soon spoke. "It is probably for the best…" She murmured reluctantly.

Malibu's heart shattered finally, the most reasonable pony of all of them besides Dash also thinking they couldn't defend themselves. Tears fell down his face too.

He saw Twilight turning slowly to leave, an awkward silence filling the air but he stayed put, not moving a muscle until Spike tugged on his tail, coaxing him to come. Sighing, Malibu turned, glancing back once more at Dash helplessly before soon following Twilight.

....

Upon reaching Ponyville again, Malibu's ears picked up the sounds of screams coming from two ponies being held in some of the black vines, calling for help while Discord sat lazily around, humming and smoothing his talons on Gummy.

Malibu growled, flying up to Discord with his eyes glowing red, knowing that he wasn't helping at all. "Discord!" He snapped.

Twilight stamped her hoof. "Put them down this instant!"

Discord winced, snapping his talons, causing the mare and stallion to flop to the ground, quickly running away in fear. "You're welcome! Hmph!" He turned to the two alicorns. "No luck finding your tree?"

It made the mulberry alicorn look sullen now. "We ran into some trouble. And my friends decided it would be best if we returned to Ponyville while they continue the search. Equestria would need me and Malibu in case Princess Celestia and Luna don't return." Twilight stated, Discord giving a smirk.

"I'm just surprised that you both agreed to their plan. I never thought you two would be the kind of ponies who think they were better than anypony else." He said slyly, which made Malibu rather mad.

"No, that's not what she was saying!" He snapped back at the draconequus who teleported himself onto Malibu's head. "Oh, well, how silly of me to assume that you would both think that. All you two did was choose to keep your precious royal selves out of harm's way while your friends thrust themselves right into it. I'm sure you'll all be the best of pals again when they return from their terrifying yet deeply bonding experience that they're having without you!"

Malibu growled again, flicking him away with his tail, Discord flopping to the ground. Instantly he and Twilight turned to go back. The teal alicorn knew he couldn't let his special somepony do this task alone. All the Elements had to be together to save the Tree.

The two ran like lightning towards the forest again. "I've never should've agreed to come back here!" Twilight snapped, Malibu nodding. Spike looked at them. "Come on, guys. Discord may be reformed, but he's not that reformed, even with Screwball there. He's just trying to get under your skins."

"Obviously, it's working! I would never forgive myself if Dash got hurt!" Shouted Malibu, soaring back into the air, Twilight taking Spike on her back and following.

....

It however proved finding the others more difficult than Malibu, Spike and Twilight thought, having roamed the forest for quite some time, Malibu not liking how the trees were seeming to be looking at him menacingly, wondering if one of those cursed vines would pop out at any moment.

Spike moaned. "Are we there yet?"

Twilight looked down. "I don't know where we are. We're lost." She sat down in despair. "We've never should have left our friends."

Malibu sat with her, wrapping one of his wings around her shoulders, making Twilight smile softly. Spike thought up an idea. "We can't just give up. Maybe if I get up that tree, I'll be able to spot them!"

While Spike climbed up the tree, there was a rustle in the bushes. Malibu turned sharply; his eyes glowing, and gasped when seeing those horrible snapping vines that sent the sleeping gas at him from before, backing away before another showed from behind, instantly spraying him right in the face.

Malibu flinched, coughing, Twilight doing the same, the snapping vines encircling them, blocking their escape. Spike heard the noises after finding them going down to the Tree of Harmony canyon. "Twilight? Mal?" He gasped when seeing them being attacked, knowing he had to get them help.

....

Meanwhile, at the Tree of Harmony itself which was covered in the Plunder seeds, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were arguing about their plan of making their friends return to Ponyville.

"It was your idea, Applejack!" Snapped Dash heatedly.

Applejack frowned more. "We all agreed it was the best thing, Rainbow Dash! We were tryin' to protect them!"

"I should've defended my special somepony instead of forcing him to hide! All of us have to be here to save the tree!" Screamed Rainbow Dash with tears in her eyes, before hearing someone falling down the canyon stairs.

It was Spike, looking battered and bruised, Applejack rushing over to hold him up. "Twilight! Malibu! Trouble! Help!" He gasped in a fast way, passing out rather fast. The 5 of them looked at each other in worry, knowing they had to save their best friends, having Spike lead them all to where they were.

The snapping vines had sprayed enough gas to paralyze and knock out Twilight and Malibu, laying on their backs, rather still. It had made Malibu so dizzy he couldn't fight any longer, moaning, unaware he was close to being eaten alive.

Applejack used her rope to snatch the mouth of the plant crab, tossing it away, glaring. "Listen here, you rabid rhododendrons! You mess with two of us, you mess with all of us!" She bellowed, Rainbow getting ready to save her love, Pinkie blowing a party horn.

The crab plants screeched, trying to snatch at them, the mares running about, tying them all up with their own vines, Pinkie giggling the whole way. "Yoo-hoo! Come and get me!" She teased, Rarity smiling. "Don't forget about me!"

Pinkie gathered up a lot of the snapping vines into a pile, throwing confetti into the air. "Ta-da!" She cheered, though she missed one. The plant crab opened it's maw until it was zapped by Twilight, who weakly was standing but Malibu had gotten the worst.

Dash landed next to Malibu, nudging him. "Malibu? Wake up!" She exclaimed in worry, until Malibu moaned, rubbing his head, staring into her eyes, then hugging her.

"I missed you Dash," He sniffled, Rainbow hugging him back gently.

Applejack smiled in relief at Twilight. "I sure am glad ya both came lookin' for us."

Twilight inclined her head. "Not as glad as I am that you found us both."

Rarity smiled sadly. "The truth of it is, darlings, we're simply lost without the two of you."

Malibu looked at them in surprise. "You mean it?" He asked, Rainbow Dash nodding, giving him another kiss. "Equestria may need it's Prince and Princess…"

Fluttershy spoke next. "But we need our friends." Soon everypony including Spike went into a group hug which Malibu smiled into, glad they were united.

After breaking apart he looked determined. "Now let's save the Tree of Harmony," He declared, the rest of the mares all cheering from his words, all of them running into the cave where the Tree was.

Malibu stared in awe at the sight of the tree. Even with all the vines around it, it was still magnificent with all of its 6 branches and what looked like Twilight's cutie mark in the middle of the trunk.

Twilight sighed, flying up to the tree, trying to touch it but the vines wouldn't let her, grabbing her hoof. She yelped out, Malibu shooting the vine with his magic.

Eventually, they both had an epiphany. Malibu heard past Celestia's words in his head. "Even without these Elements, the Tree of Harmony will possess a powerful magic. As long as that magic remains, it will continue to control and contain all that grows here."

The former clone gargoyle then knew; they couldn't hold onto the Elements for themselves forever, which made him feel sad, putting a hoof over his indigo cross Element pendant. Looking at Twilight, she nodded in his direction as they turned to the rest.

"I know how we can save the Tree." Twilight said to them. They all leaned forward in anticipation. "We have to give it the Elements of Harmony."

Rainbow was flabbergasted. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! How are we supposed to protect Equestria?!" She cried out.

Rarity agreed. "How are we meant to rein Discord in if we can't use the Elements to turn him back to stone?" She asked, which was another good question.

Malibu swallowed. "I know this will be hard, but it is the Tree's life and Equestria's life at stake here."

Applejack put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Twilight, Malibu, the Elements of Harmony… they're what keep us connected no matter what." She said sadly.

Twilight smiled. "You're right about one thing, Applejack, the Elements of Harmony did bring us together. But it isn't the Elements that will keep us connected. It's our friendship. And it's more important and powerful than any magic. My new role in Equestria may mean I have to take on new responsibilities, and our friendships may be tested, but it will never, ever be broken."

She flew into the air. "There's no time to lose. Everypony ready?"

The others nodded, Malibu's heart feeling like it would break knowing this will be a big change. "Ready!" They all shouted.

Twilight used her magic to levitate all the gems out of their pendants and her crown, Malibu watching his float up to her, tears starting to fall. All 7 swirled around Twilight for a brief moment like what happened to his mom in the flashback until some vines wrapped tight around her, making Twilight wince in pain.

Malibu's eyes widened in fear, flying up. "Let her go!" He roared, shooting magic at some of them again, but then another vine grabbed his horn and waist, making Malibu choke in agony since it was squeezing his air flow. The vines nearly covered up Twilight until she managed to levitate all the Elements into the Tree's branches.

The Elements glowed brightly inside their rightful branches, Twilight's floating into the center trunk, making the Tree glow in its rightful colors once more. It sent a wave of magic with the 7 rainbow colors; destroying every plunder vine out there in Equestria.

Discord was lounging on one until his vine vanished, making him fall down on his butt. Screwball saw that, giggling but was happy her friends managed to save the Tree. "Oh, poo." Discord grumbled in irritation, Screwball giving him a hug which he returned, glad his daughter was there.

But it wasn't over yet. Malibu noticed two piles of plunder vines that had also vanished, revealing what was underneath. It was his mom and aunt! He began to cry, running forward and dove into her arms. Celestia nuzzled his head, embracing him in her wings. "I'm glad you're alright, mom!" Malibu sniffled, his face wet with tears.

Twilight had joined in the hug with Luna. "As am I, my son. We know how difficult it must've been for you to give up the Elements. It took great courage to relinquish them."

Malibu then saw Twilight's eyes glow with the Spark, and he gazed at the tree which caused the sun and moon symbol to light up on the trunk, a colored light flowing down to the roots, making a strange plant sprout from the ground.

Twilight went to touch it, and a bright light flashed for a few seconds. Malibu blinked, his vision clearing. And on top of the flower; was a strange looking chest with 7 locks on it. He gasped in amazement.

"What is that?" He asked his mom as they went to inspect it. Twilight was curious. "Yeah, what's inside it? How are we supposed to open it?"

Luna glanced at the locks. "7 locks, 7 keys." She murmured. They all turned to Celestia who shook her head. "I don't know where they are. But I do know it is a mystery you won't be solving alone." She said with a smile, while Malibu was excited, pondering where his key could be, lying in wait for him.

....

Soon, they all went back to Ponyville so they could do the Summer Sun Celebration again. But were started when party horns went off and banners appeared.

It was Discord's doing, obviously, Malibu seeing him appear with Screwball. "Bravo, everypony! Bravo! How ever did you save the day this time? Blast the beasties with your magic necklaces, I presume?" He asked teasingly, waggling his fingers to Malibu's annoyance.

Discord teleported onto Applejack's back. "And where are those little trinkets of yours? You know, the ones you used to send me back to my extremely uncomfortable stone prison?"

AJ sighed before soon telling him. "Gone."

The draconequus looked a little too excited from the reveal. "Gone? Gone?" He already seemed to have a plan in his head. Fluttershy rebuked him however. "But our friendship remains! And if you want to keep being friends, you should stop thinking whatever it is you're thinking, and help us clean up!" She said in an assertive way, Discord shrinking into a small size from her words.

He was back to his normal size again but in a maid's gown. "Fine, but I don't do windows."

Screwball bounced up and down in front of them. "Did you really have to give back the Elements?"

Malibu nodded sadly. "But it doesn't end our friendship. We will always be together." He said, Screwball liking his words.

Applejack had another question though. "One thing I don't get? Why did all this happen now?"

Discord tapped his chin. "I have no idea… those seeds I planted should have sprouted up ages ago."

Those words made Malibu feel angry at him. "Your seeds?!" He snarled, grabbing Discord's goatee which caused his eyes to round out from the assault.

"Whoa, whoa, easy, just let me explain..." Discord tried to say but Malibu shoved him back. "Your seeds kidnapped my mom and I should believe any of your words?!"

Discord then had the bottle of the white potion appear. "Why should I try to explain to any of you when you can see for yourself?"

Malibu and Twilight looked at one another before taking a drink, sending them into the flashback they saw before.

"Playtime is over for you, Discord!" Celestia snapped, Discord eating more of his black seeds.

"Oh, I doubt that. Hungry?" Discord asked, the seeds falling from his bag to the ground, then digging into the soil. Malibu suddenly heard present Discord talking. "Well, obviously things didn't go according to my original plan. My plunderseeds should have stolen the magic from the Tree of Harmony and captured Princess Celestia and Luna thousands of moons ago. Alas, it seems, the tree had enough magic to keep the seeds from growing up big and strong. Until now that is."

The flashback ended, Twilight glaring hard. "You realize this is information we could have used hours ago?!"

Discord chortled. "And rob you of a valuable lesson about being princess? What kind of friend do you think I am?" He pinched her cheeks, grinning innocently, Malibu rolling his eyes.

"Well, it's over now, so, how about we take care of that Summer Sun celebration?" He asked Twilight, who nodded. "Come on, we should get to Canterlot."

….

It was finally time for said celebration; Malibu standing on stage next to Twilight and his mom. Twilight had received a new crown which looked rather nice on her, his face smiling big.

Celestia stood up for her speech. "Citizens of Equestria, it is no longer with a heavy heart, but with great joy that I raise the summer sun. For this celebration represents not the defeat of Nightmare Moon, but the return of my sister, Princess Luna."

Everypony in the crowd cheered, Malibu seeing his 6 friends and Spike in the front row. Luna rose into the air, lowering the moon which made her look majestic.

Malibu watched his mom now raising the sun, tears in his eyes since this was the third time he saw it. Twilight remembered what she had in part of the Celebration, lighting up her horn, making a wave of her own magic shaped like her cutie mark show up in the sky like a sonic rainboom.

The crowd was most impressed, Malibu winking to Twilight, impressed with her move as she landed, grinning back at the crowd.

Inside his heart though, Malibu wondered how long it would take for them all to hunt down those 7 keys and find out what is inside that chest.