History Recap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E2ElementsOfHarmony

** The first song of the series has Pinkie Pie teaching the Mane Six about [[FaceYourFears standing up to their fears]] and how the illusions are all just in their imaginations. Likewise, the first episode of ''WesternAmination/MyLittlePonyTales'' also had a song about facing your fears and how shadows in the dark aren't necessarily what they appear to be.

Twilight sets out for the ruins, and reluctantly allows her new acquaintances to tag along when they insist. This proves fortunate, as Nightmare Moon is following them and her attempts to thwart their quest give Twilight's companions a chance to show her their strength of character:

* When a broken rope bridge over a deep gorge bars the path, Rainbow Dash is tasked with flying to the other side and fixing the bridge. Nightmare Moon takes on the form of a trio of performing Pegasi and offers Dash fame and fortune on the condition that she leave her friends behind. Rainbow Dash is tempted... but chooses to remain loyal to her friends.

* MistakenForSpies: It's brief, but Twilight is subject to this, [[JustifiedTrope as she knew what was going to happen at the Summer Sun Celebration]]. Played straight with Rainbow, who, seeing Twilight quickly leave after Nightmare Moon escapes, follows her, confronts her at the library, and makes it clear that the pegasus is suspicious of Twilight. Subverted with Applejack, while agreeing that Twilight knew what was going on, gets Rainbow Dash to back off and lets the unicorn explain herself to the farm pony and the others. Rainbow drops her accusations after she hears Twilight out.

* POVCam: When Applejack asks Twilight what's going on, it cuts to the unicorn's perspective, and shows her new friends' confused, worried, and/or suspicious looks. The shot makes it clear that they weren't leaving without answers.

* SecretTestOfCharacter: Double subverted. Nightmare Moon was ''not'' testing their character but her traps served as such for Twilight's purpose.

Picking up from the last episode, Nightmare Moon departs as dramatically and suddenly as she arrived, leaving the citizens of Ponyville wondering what to do. Twilight Sparkle returns to the library to do some research, putting the baby Spike to bed beforehand. As she searches frantically for information, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash show up in the hopes of understanding what's going on. She tells them about uncovering the prophecy on Nightmare Moon and the only thing that can possibly stop her: the Elements of Harmony. With the help of Pinkie Pie, Twilight finds a book on the Elements of Harmony which names the five known ones (Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity and Loyalty) and pinpoints their last known location... in an abandoned castle in [[TheLostWoods the Everfree Forest]].

Twilight sets out for the ruins, and reluctantly allows her new acquaintances to tag along. This proves fortunate, as Nightmare Moon is following them and her attempts to thwart their quest give Twilight's companions a chance to show her their strength of character:

* MistakenForSpies: Rainbow gets suspicious of Twilight at the beginning of the episode and accuses her of being in cahoots with Nightmare. Justified, as Twilight was the only one at the ceremony who knew Nightmare Moon was going to show up. Fortunately, the confusion is cleared up quickly, as Applejack shows up, gets Rainbow to back off, and gives Twilight a chance to explain herself.

* PoliceAreUseless: A couple Royal Guards try to stop Nightmare Moon and get blasted with lightning for their trouble.
* POVCam: When Applejack asks Twilight what's going on, it cuts to the unicorn's perspective, and showcases her new friends' confused, worried, and suspicious looks.

* UnmovingPlaid: The end of Rainbow Dash's tail is ruffled from Applejack pulling it, but the stripes of colour on it don't.
** The stripes on Twilight's tail don't get disheveled when Rainbow grabs it to save her from falling into the gorge.

* P.O.V.Cam: When Applejack asks Twilight what's going on, it cuts to the unicorn's perspective, and showcases her new friends' confused, worried, and suspicious looks.

(''other ponies nod in agreement; pause; Twilight Sparkle glares at Pinkie Pie'')\\

* MistakenForSpies: As Twilight is the only one who knew what was going to happen at the Summer Sun Celebration, Rainbow gets suspicious of her at the beginning of the episode and accuses her of being in cahoots with Nightmare. Fortunately, the confusion is cleared up quickly, as Applejack shows up, gets Rainbow to back off, and gives Twilight a chance to explain herself.

* MistakenForSpies: As Twilight is the only one who knew what was going to happen at the Summer Sun Celebration, Rainbow gets suspicious and accuses her of being in cahoots with Nightmare at the library. Fortunately, the confusion is cleared up quickly, as Applejack shows up, gets Rainbow to back off, and gives Twilight a chance to explain herself.

* YouAreNotAlone: Twilight is facing Nightmare Moon ''alone'', and the only thing that's capable of stopping Nightmare Moon was just shattered to bits right in front of her... then her friends come to her rescue...

Picking up from the last episode, Nightmare Moon departs as dramatically and suddenly as she arrived, leaving the citizens of Ponyville wondering what to do. Twilight Sparkle returns to her house to do some research, putting the baby Spike to bed beforehand. As she searches frantically for information, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Rainbow Dash show up at her library in the hopes of getting some answers. She informs them of her studies on Nightmare Moon and the only thing that can possibly stop her: the Elements of Harmony. With the help of Pinkie Pie, Twilight finds a book on the Elements of Harmony which names the five known ones (Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity and Loyalty) and pinpoints their last known location... in an abandoned castle in [[TheLostWoods the Everfree Forest]].

* MistakenforSpies: As Twilight is the only one who knew what was going to happen at the Summer Sun Celebration, Rainbow gets suspicious of her. She is the first pony to show up at the library, moves Twilight into a corner, and accuses her of being in cahoots with Nightmare. Fortunately, the confusion is cleared up quickly, as Applejack shows up, gets Rainbow to back off, and gives Twilight a chance to explain herself.

* {{Mistaken for Spies}}: As Twilight is the only one who knew Nightmare Moon was going to show up at the Summer Sun Celebration, Rainbow suspiciously accuses Twilight of working for the villain at the beginning of the episode. Fortunately, Applejack gives Twilight a chance to explain herself, and the accusation is never brought up again.

** The stripes on Twilight's tail don't move from their original positions when Rainbow grabs it to save her from falling off the broken bridge.

* {{Mistaken for Spy}}: As Twilight is the only one who knew Nightmare Moon was going to show up at the ceremony, Rainbow suspiciously accuses Twilight of working for the villain at the beginning of the episode. Fortunately, Applejack gives Twilight a chance to explain herself, and the accusation is never brought up again.

* Mistaken for Spy: As Twilight is the only one who knew Nightmare Moon was going to show up at the ceremony, Rainbow suspiciously accuses Twilight of working for the villain at the beginning of the episode. Fortunately, Applejack gives Twilight a chance to explain herself, and the accusation is never brought up again.

* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: [[ThePowerOfFriendship Friendship is magic]]. [[HeartBeatDown ''Devastatingly powerful'' magic]].

* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: Friendship is magic; ''Devastatingly powerful'' magic.

* StabTheSalad: Rarity yanks a scale from the sea-serpent's neck with her teeth and slashes with its sharp end, causing the serpent to collapse... at the horror of her cutting off her own tail.

* [[TakeMyHand Take My Hoof]]: When the ground gives way under the ponies, Applejack grabs a branch while sliding down and manages to catch Twilight by the hoof. How they're able to hold onto each other without fingers isn't explained.

* TakeMyHand: When the ground gives way under the ponies, Applejack grabs a branch while sliding down and manages to catch Twilight by the hoof. How they're able to hold onto each other without fingers isn't explained.

* HairReboot: The Elements of Harmony completely fix Rarity's chopped mane.

** Almost repeating [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Maleficent]]'s line (see ShoutOut above): "''Stand BACK, you FOALS!''"
** "You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me?"

* LiteralCliffhanger / [[TakeMyHand Take My Hoof]]: How Twilight manages to do this without fingers isn't explained.

* OcularGushers: Pinkie Pie is so touched by the reunion of Celestia and Luna, she [[MoodWhiplash briefly]] does this. The scene is the trope picture.
* OverlyNarrowSuperlative: The Shadowbolts claim to be "the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest" is a little suspect when you consider how many ponies live in said forest...

* PoliceAreUseless: A couple Royal Guards try to stop Nightmare Moon and get blasted with lightning for their trouble. This may be justified, as the guards were powerless against Nightmare Moon.

* AndroclesLion: The manticore is affectionate with Fluttershy after she helps him.

* DespairEventHorizon: Twilight seems to cross this when Nightmare Moon smashes the Elements Of Harmony, the only thing capable of defeating her, right in front of the poor girl. Thank goodness Twilight's friends showed up...

* FriendOrIdolDecision / LeaveYourQuestTest: Nightmare Moon forces this on Rainbow Dash... unsuccessfully because Rainbow Dash isn't a ''[[JerkWithAHeartOfGold complete]]'' {{Jerkass}}.