Friendship's Touch

Chapter 5

The sun had taken its place in the western half of the sky.  The bombardment had lasted for only an hour, but it thad taken a good four and a half hours for the weather Pegasi all over Equestria to bring in enough rainclouds on short notice to cover all of the country to assist the fire brigades with putting out the fires in their cities.

The damage estimates so far had shown that while Trottingham had come out relatively unscathed, Balitmare, Manehatten, Fillydelphia, Las Pegasus and even little Appleoosa had taken light to moderate damage, with Canterlot and Ponyville taking the most severe damage. In Ponyville, many of the buildings that hadn’t been outright burned or destroyed had to be taken down due to extensive damage.  Sweet Apple Acres had taken light damage for the most part but while the buildings remained untouched, many trees had either been destroyed from the larger fireballs’ impacts or burned by the smaller fireballs.  The casualties had been light thanks to the time of day, with many ponies away from their homes out and about doing errands and other business.  So far the most serious injuries reported were a few concussions, some serious cuts, and a pony who had suffered moderate burns when a fireball struck her house.

Rainbow Dash had returned and joined the girls who had begun assisting at the hospital, which had set up tents outside to handle the large flow of injuries; even Gaia had lent her assistance after waking up from her nap. Fluttershy had brought Atlas and Dinky to the hospital, who had escaped their ordeal with only a few cuts and bruises.  With his head bandaged, he now walked amongst the injured ponies with Dinky on his back, tending to their wounds and making sure that the right pony got sent to the right area for treatment.  Things continued this way far into the late afternoon when the sun began to sink into the sky and everyone had gathered in the library.

*  *  *  *

The girls, Zecora, Gaia, Big Mac, and Atlas were laying around the library trying to get some rest after their exhausting day when Derpy finally joined them, immediately going to Dinky.

“Dinky, are you ok?” she asked as she scooped her daughter up into a tight hug.

Atlas looked to the two of them and exchanged a smile with Derpy. “She is doing quite fine Miss Hooves; you have a very brave daughter.”

“I saved Atlas with a barrier mommy.  Though I wasn’t strong enough to keep it up for long, luckily Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash came along and helped us.” Dinky said, her initially prideful look degrading into a very sullen expression.

“It’s ok sweetie, you were very brave and it took a great deal of skill for you to have it up as long as you did.” Twilight assured her with a hoof on her shoulder, getting a smile from the little unicorn.  “How is Sparkler?” she asked looking back up to Derpy.

Derpy nodded a bit with a look of relief. “She’s doing fine.  She and her friends had taken refuge in a shelter when Canterlot started getting hit.”

“That’s good.” Rarity said as she walked up beside Twilight.

“Well, unless you girls would like to get some rest, I believe Gaia and I owe you an explanation for our appearance. And yes, today’s events are directly connected to it.” Atlas said as he settled down onto the cushion that Twilight had provided for him, Gaia settling at his side.

“I figure they have been very anxious to hear it, Atlas.” Celestia said as she and Luna entered the library.

Twilight rushed up to the two of them and nuzzled Celestia. “It’s good to see you two safe, they said you saved Fillydelphia and Manehatten.”

“Yes, but tis a shame to hear about Ponyville and Canterlot.  It seems they took the brunt of it, this was clearly a message Tia.” Luna said as she looked over to her sister, who nodded agreement.

“Indeed it was sister.” Celestia replied, before turning her affectionate gaze to Gaia and Atlas. “But despite it all, it is good to see you again my dear friends.  It is a shame that the last two times we have met were under bad circumstances.” She said as she walked up and nuzzled the siblings.

“Very true Celestia, though hopefully things can improve after we deal with this little matter.” Atlas replied before kissing Celestia’s forehead.

“Um, ah don’t mean ta be breaking up the happy reunion, but there’s the little matter of fireballs raining from the sky that we were about ta get to.” Applejack interjected clearing her throat a bit.

“Yes, well I suppose I should tell you the whole reason we were seeking you out, in addition to Mr. Apple, Ms. Zecora, and Ms. Hooves.” Atlas said as he settled back down onto the cushion, Luna taking up a spot against his right side, cuddling in close while Celestia moved into his left, Gaia showing a smile for the first time as she cuddled up with Celestia, getting a slightly jealous glare from Twilight who had taken her spot with her friends. “Now, this story begins a long time ago. Before even any of your great great grandparents were born.”

*   *   *   *

A younger, much smaller Atlas stood on a high grassy hill overlooking a valley; admiring the beauty of the land for as far as he could see.  He looked much different, his coat and mane looked much more vibrant and flowing with magic, his wings were as they always were, but he also had a horn, which now glowed with a gray aura as a river began to gently carve its way through the valley, moving towards the horizon where it would connect to a lake that existed near the future site of Fillydelphia.  The sound of hooves came from behind him as a young Luna and a filly Gaia, her own set of wings upon her back cantered up to his side.  They were met with nuzzles from the stallion; the one for Luna followed with a meeting of eyes, a look of love passed between them.

“It is good to see you two, what have you girls been up to today?” he asked as he put the finishing touches on the river, opening up the ends that would let the water flow from the distant mountains to the lake.

“You have to see what I made brother!” Gaia said with a proud grin on her face.

Atlas nodded and followed behind his eager sister, Luna close by his side.  They walked a short distance until they came to a bluff that overlooked a vast forest, quite beautiful and full of vigor.

“That is quite lovely Gaia.” He said as he cuddled up to Luna, admiring his sister’s work.

“I think I’ll call it ‘The Whispering Woods’.  I call it that because it’s like the trees seem like they’re talking to you, and I don’t mean regular conversations like I have with them. You know; a whole mystique to the place that other ponies will be amazed by.” She said with a smile.

Luna nodded beside Atlas. “Yes, and they seem to sing.  They were singing the most beautiful song earlier.”

“I think it would be a great place to have Celest’s birthday party, I created a small grove where the sun shines in on this little pool fed by a spring and a beautiful rock I swiped from you.” She giggled, her brother ruffling her mane with his hoof.

“You’re welcome.” He chuckled. “That reminds me, we should go meet Pandora; she said she would be arriving around noon with a special gift for Celestia.”

The three Alicorns made their way down the hillside.  They walked through The Whispering Woods, which indeed seemed to have a life of its own; though according to Gaia everything she had made did, because she had a special connection to it as their creator.  But the feeling that she explained other ponies would feel was there.  It felt like the trees were singing welcoming words to the guests that strolled amongst them as the forest and the creatures within it watched their mother and her guests walk by.

“It is a fine day; King Argos has been kind with the weather.” Luna commented as they made their way into the clearing and took a seat upon a blanket Gaia had laid out by the pool.

“I think he bumped his rainstorm up by a couple of days so that everything would be dried out for today.” Atlas replied as he took a seat at Luna’s side, flapping his wings a bit before folding them up at his sides.

“I wish he’d tone it down sometimes. That downpour he had last week nearly flooded out some of my woodchucks from their burrows when the river went up.” Gaia huffed as she looked skyward, looking for their friend Pandora’s arrival.

The three did not have to wait long before a brilliant burst of flame erupted in the sky. When the fire had subsided an Alicorn hovered high above her friends until she spotted them with a smile.  She was the very embodiment of fire; her coat, mane, and tail the color of flames, the latter two seeming to flow and dance about like flames much in the same way Luna and Celestia’s own manes and tails flowed with the magic of the solar wind and the night sky respectively.  Upon her flank was a flame cutie mark, above her left fore hoof she wore two bracelets of fine silver, and further up above the knee on each foreleg she wore a golden bracelet with a sapphire set in the front.

“Good afternoon, my dear friends.” She said as she slowly descended and gracefully touched down upon the grass before them, folding her wings and taking a seat upon the blanket. “Are we all ready?”

“Yes, all we are waiting on is Celestia.” Atlas nodded.

“I shall go fetch her.” Luna said taking off in a quick beat of her wings before disappearing in a dark blue flash.

The other three talked amongst themselves while they waited for Luna and Celestia, Gaia setting out a punch bowl and the cake which had been hidden in a nearby cave with the rest of the party materials.

“So Pandora, how is King Argos?” Atlas inquired as he levitated a glass of punch to his lips, taking a slow sip.

Pandora lifted her own cup trying some of the punch as she lay down comfortably on the blanket. “Father has been feeling unwell as of late.  He has been irritable and restless. I have found him some nights pacing the throne room.  He no longer accepts visitors or his advisors; only that snake, Daru.” She spat before setting her glass down and taking a cookie.

“Yes, such a horrid pony.” Gaia agreed as she sat back on her haunches.

The three looked up as a white and dark blue flash appeared above them, followed by the sight of Luna and Celestia in their wake. The sisters settled down side by side on an open spot on the blanket.

“Happy birthday!” Celestia’s friends shouted as her hooves touched the ground, causing the alicorn to beam from ear to ear.

“My dear friends, you did all this for me? I’m touched!” she said with a hoof on her chest, moved by her friends’ thoughtfulness.

“Of course we did, you are our dearest friend. And you only turn a thousand once.” Atlas chuckled as he held up the cake for her to blow out the candles, after which he set it back down and nodded to Pandora. “Now before we do anything, Pandora here has a special gift for you.”

Pandora nodded to her friend and rose to her hooves. With a whistle the likes of which no normal pony could make she focused her magic, her horn glowing a light orange.  After a few seconds an egg appeared on the ground before Celestia.

The Princess eyed the egg curiously then looked up to her friend. “What is it?” she asked.

Pandora opened her eyes and smiled at Celestia. As she focused her magic again, fire shot forth from her very body and engulfed the egg, much to everyone’s shock.  As the fire surrounded the egg a large crack snaked up the side and the egg began to shake.  After a few more shakes and cracks the egg exploded in a brilliant flash, a bird of flame rising into the air and spreading its wings as it reached the peak of its flight, framed by the sun.  The bird slowly descended and set down on Celestia’s foreleg, cawing lightly.

“Why Pandora, she’s beautiful.” Celestia said as she admired the magnificent bird, giggling when it began to preen her pink mane

“That is a Phoenix, I’m glad you like her. I plan on filling the world with them, but I wanted you to have the first.” She told her friend with a loving smile.

“Thank you my dear friend!” she said as the two mares hugged each other, the phoenix taking off and repositioning on the nearby rock to preen itself.

“What are you going to name her?” Gaia asked as she watched the phoenix with amazement.

“Hmm, I think I’ll call her…Philomena.” She said after a moment of thought.

“And watch this.” Pandora said before raising an oddly shaped instrument, which she called a Shō, to her lips. Blowing lightly, the air was filled with the sound one could only compare to an organ, only much prettier in their opinion.  At once, Philomena responded with a caw that sounded like the note from the Shō, looking upon her creator with her head cocked to the side. “Very good Philomena, I have just given your kind a voice.  From now one when one hears the sound of this instrument, they shall always remember the Phoenix.” She smiled.

Everyone looked on in awe before collectively smiling.  They nodded and voiced their agreement of how good a name it was to Celestia and how beautiful the call of the Phoenix was before they all began the small party.  The passed around the cake, gave Celestia more gifts, sang songs with Pandora providing the music from her Shō, and just enjoyed the presence of friends.

*   *   *   *

Twilight, who was listening to the story with great eagerness, broke her trance and looked over at the Princesses, who seemed to have tears in their eyes. “She was really close to you all.” she said getting a nod from the four older ponies.

“So let me get this straight in case I missed something, Princess Celestia controls the sun, Luna the moon and stars of course.  Now Gaia used to run the critters and plants of the earth, Atlas used to control the rest of the earth, and this King Argos used to control the water and wind.  Now this Pandora, from what you said, controlled fire and was the nicest, most caring pony in the world. So why in tarnation did she try to burn all of Equestria just now?” Applejack spoke up with a confused look.

“That attack was not her, at least not directly.  I suppose to fully understand Pandora, and by extension the real problem, her father Argos; would be to tell you their story.” Celestia said looking over to Atlas with a very vulnerable look that none of the girls had ever seen on their ruler.

Atlas nodded and looked back to the girls.  “In the beginning we were not the masters of the earth and sky as we eventually became. When Celestia was born her parents had created and controlled everything with the exception of the wind and water, which was controlled by Argos, who had been blessed with Pandora’s birth that same year.  The year that Luna and I were born they had passed on the responsibility of the sun to Celestia and then gave fire to Pandora as a gift.  Gaia was then born, and we were raised to immortal status and given our respective gifts around the time she reached the age when foals normally get their cutie marks by Celestia’s parents.  They offered to do the same for our parents but they declined.  Soon after that Luna was given the control of the night and their parents as well as our own ascended to the Great Plain; or the afterlife as you all know it, to be with their dear friends.” He stopped to look around at everyone, making sure his words were sinking in.  He stretched out a bit and then looked to Gaia. “I’m going to go get a drink, why don’t you continue sister?”

Before Gaia could protest, Atlas had already made his way in the direction of Twilight’s kitchen. With a sigh she cleared her throat and turned back towards the others.  “Now after Celestia and Luna’s parents left the earth and they had spent a few years getting used to their new responsibilities, we grew increasingly aware that something was wrong with Argos. So while Atlas and I kept an eye on him, they went far to what is now called the Great Arch to address the Sphinx that resides there, to task it to create something powerful that would keep Argos in check.” she explained, looking to Celestia and Luna who hung their heads in shame.

*   *   *   *

A much older Celestia and Luna set down on the edge of a small cliff and looked around. They stood before a large free standing stone arch with large stone lions on either side.  They looked around with confusion as they expected a clear path, but the only thing that was on the other side of the arch was the side of the mountain.  They looked at the entire face of the mountain carefully for a path that they were told would take them deep into the mountain to where the sphinx lay.

“I don’t see it Tia.” Luna said as she prodded at the rock face with a hoof, making a few rocks tumble down the slope.

“It’s got to be here, the tomes specifically said it was.” Celestia said as she studied the rock face from top to bottom.

The sisters sat back and looked up at the mountain.  There was no way into the mountain from the top, they had already discovered that when they flew over it.  They had asked Atlas beforehand if he could just open the mountain but he had explained that the mountain was so old that he was incapable of touching it with his magic, not even Gaia could touch the forest that supposedly grew inside the mountain where the sphinx was.  As they contemplated what to do next, the sun sank lower in the sky, its rays washing over them and casting their shadows over the mountain.  The rays that filtered around them bathed the mountain in yellows and oranges, but what drew their attention was a small hole that the sunlight seemed to shine into.  They moved closer and studied the hole carefully.

“I wonder.” Celestia said before she took a step back, lowered her head, and stuck her horn into the hole.

The moment she had her horn fully hilted into the hole, runes began to glow in an arch along what looked like the shape of a door. They began to pulse as she withdrew her horn and took a step back to Luna’s side.  The runes pulsed for a few seconds more before a seam opened in the rock, allowing the door to slide back and then to the right, opening a dark tunnel to them.  The two of them stepped forward, looking into the tunnel and trying to see down the path.

“Kind of scary.” Luna said looking up at her sister with fear and excitement.

Celestia looked back to her sister with a smile before focusing her magic, her horn glowing white as it began to glow brighter and illuminate the path. “Stick close.” She playfully nudged her sister.

They walked down the path with Celestia’s horn lighting the way.  They passed some cave drawings along the walls and found a few spots where braziers should have hung.  They walked on for a few more feet before they saw light entering the tunnel.  As they slowly stepped out into the light, what they saw amazed them.  Inside the mountain lay a vast forest, complete with a waterfall in the distance that seemed to be coming from the mountainside and fell somewhere deep in the forest. As the sisters admired the site their eyes fell upon a large golden statue, this had to have been what they were searching for.

“The sphinx.” Luna said as she and Celestia slowly walked up to the ancient statue.

They walked up to the statue and studied it.  It was around fifty feet high and made of solid gold, its body was a mix, with its rear half like a lion and its forward half like an alicorn mare.  As they looked up at the statue its eyes slowly opened to reveal a bright golden glow.   Its head slowly turned with a deep rumble that shook the ground the sisters stood on, causing some rocks to crumble off of the walls.

“Who seeks the counsel of the sphinx?” the statue asked, its loud voice echoing from the walls around them.

“It is we, Celstia the Sun and Luna the Moon.  We have come to make a request of you.” Celestia said as the two of them bowed their heads.

“What is it you seek of my power?” it asked, tilting its head to them.

“A great threat has risen and we are asking your assistance.” Luna explained.

“It is the Wind Wider Argos, of which you speak. Word of his increasing madness has spread to even the world of the beasts.” The statue said which drew the sisters’ attention to a flock of birds that rested on the outstretched wing of the statue.  “Before I can lend my aid, you must answer three riddles, or else be cast from my presence forever.”

“Tell us your riddles.” Celestia said with a bit of worry, she’d heard the stories of the sphinx’s riddles, some more gruesome than others.

“Riddle number one. Always wax, yet always wane: I melt, succumbed to the flame. Lighting darkness, with fate unblest, I soon devolve to shapeless mess.” The sphinx finished, its words fading into the surroundings with ancient mystery. “Riddle number two.  Here there is no north, west, nor east, and weather fit for not pony nor beast.  And finally, riddle number three.  I do not breathe, but I run and jump.

I do not eat, but I swim and stretch.  I do not drink, but I sleep and stand.  I do not think, but I grow and play.  I do not see, but you see me every day. When you have guessed the answers, come to me once more.” The sphinx concluded before falling silent, it’s golden glowing eyes now lifeless as the rest of the statue, the birds that watched with piercing eyes from the wings the only life in the chasm besides the alicorns.

“Oh, we’ll never figure these out Tia.  Let’s just go back and find a different way.” Luna pleaded.

“No, we can do this Luna.  It is for our little ponies.” Celestia said waving a hoof in the air. “I think I have the first one figured out already.” She said.

“Really?” Luna asked.

“Always wax, yet always wane, I melt succumbed to the flame. Lighting darkness, with fate unblest, I soon devolve to shapeless mess.” She said rubbing her chin with a hoof. “I got it. Always wax, lighting darkness, melt succumbed to the flame and soon devolve to shapeless mess. It’s a candle!” she said with excitement as she used her magic to write the answer into the dirt with a stick.

“Good job Tia!  That just leaves us the other two.” Luna said as she sat on her haunches in thought.  The two sat the same way for some time before Luna stomped her hoof on the ground. “I’ve got the answer to the second one.  The sphinx mentioned every direction but south, so that means you can only go south from there, and it has weather unfit for neither pony nor beast.  It’s the North Pole!” she said as she repeated Celestia’s action, noting the answer in the dirt.

“Good job sister. Now, that third one is the hardest. I for the life of me cannot figure it out.” Celestia said as she tried her hardest to come up with an answer.  “See me everyday.” She said to herself with a hum.  “I think we may be here for a while thinking of this one.” She told her sister as the two of them laid down facing each other, each deep in thought.

*   *   *   *

Meanwhile, Pandora walked through the halls of her father’s palace, which was in much better condition than the way it looked in the present.  However, it was now empty of the many ponies she had seen walking around only just a few months ago.  In fact, Pandora could tell where the palace was beginning to fall into disrepair as the caretakers and servants of the palace had fled that same month with the others.  The walls were showing cracks and missing pieces of stone while the high stained glass windows were broken in a few places, all hastily patched over by soldiers who showed their obvious lack of carpentry and masonry skill.  As she rounded the corner into the open doors of the throne room, she saw her father consulting with that despicable worm, Daru.  He was an alicorn like the rest, pitch black as the night. Though to compare him to the night would be an insult to Luna, he was more like a shadow that lurked in every corner, holding some kind of danger within it.

“So that is the latest report sire.  As you know most of the ponies of the kingdom have fled to the northeast and splintered by race into their own kingdoms.  But just recently they have been forced by an intense blizzard we believe caused by the windigos to seek out a new kingdom for themselves.  Our last reports have them going even further north into the undiscovered country where the blizzard has not spread yet.”  Daru told the king, noticing Pandora’s entry with a disgusting look on his face, she had always noticed the little creep watching her with less than polite eyes.

The king listened with an amused grin before he turned his eyes to his daughter, simply giving her a nod. “The little fools, while I wish I could take credit for the windigos, they are not my creation.  They are a creature as old as the world, and they feed off of discord and hatred.  As long as those ponies show distrust and hatred towards one another, the windigos will only get stronger and follow them wherever they roam until all of the north is one frozen wasteland.  This does present an opportunity for us however.  When they are all frozen solid we can sweep in unopposed and claim the land as ours, and if any of them are still alive, they will swear their fealty to me once more.  Of course they will have to be punished for treason for abandoning their kingdom.” He said before finally turning his full attention to his daughter. “And that is where you come in my dear daughter.  We will need your flames to drive out the windigos and to thaw out any of those ponies that still live.” He said to her, his eyes long ago had turned from their gentle sky blue to a burning, hateful red which glowed as he looked upon his daughter.

Pandora could only look at Argos in shock as she began taking a few steps back.  This monster was not her father; this was some beast in his body.  As she finally snapped back to reality, she furrowed her brows at him. “No.” She said stamping her hoof on the ground.

“What did you say?” her father asked rising from his throne, his fur and mane bristling with anger.

“I said no, I will not help you enslave the ponies of the north, if anything I would assist them to overcome their differences and start their own kingdom together, without you.” She told him as she spread her stance out into a defensive one, her horn lowered towards him and Daru.

“My dear daughter, you are far too compassionate.  Those ponies are traitors to the crown; they left the kingdom to sink to its current state.”  He told her with a malicious grin.

“No father, the fault is your own through your cruelty and malice, and I will have no part of it.” She said before disappearing in a flash of orange light.

Daru calmly walked to his king’s side, looking at the place where the princess once stood. “Do not fear your highness.  I believe I have a way that we can enlist her aid.”

*   *   *   *

Celestia and Luna lay beneath the ominous shadow of the sphinx, the birds that rested on its wing still watched them closely, which unsettled both of them both greatly.  After a few minutes, Luna finally showed some frustration and rose up on shaky legs.

“This is frustrating, Tia.  We’ll never figure this out and while we’re here trying, who knows what Argos is doing!” she growled as she shook her back and fore legs one at a time. “Argh. And my legs fell asleep a long time ago!” she added with a huff.

“What?” Celestia said looking up from her thoughts, staring at Luna with wide eyes.

“My legs are asleep.  I think I was laying on a rock or something.” She said nudging a rock away from where she had been previously laying.

“That’s the answer! I do not breathe, but I run and jump. I do not eat, but I swim and stretch.  I do not drink, but I sleep and stand.  I do not think, but I grow and play.  I do not see, but you see me every day.  Our legs grow, sleep and stretch; and we see them every day.  And without them we wouldn’t be able to do those other things.  That’s got to be it!” she said jumping up to her hooves.

They walked up to the sphinx and stared up at the imposing statue once more. “I hope you’re right Tia.” Luna said nervously.  “Great sphinx, we have thought on it and wish to answer your riddles.” Luna called up to the statue, not even sure if it heard her due to its momentary silence.

After a few moments of deafening silence the sphinx’s eyes began to glow once more.  It turned its head and looked upon the sisters again, the birds on its wings looking with great interest.  If Celestia didn’t know any better, she was sure some of the nastier tales of those who failed the sphinx’s riddles involved very gruesome things with those birds.

“Give me your answers, but be warned.  Only one incorrect answer shall spell dire consequences.” The sphinx said.

“Very well, the answer to the first riddle is a candle. Riddle number two is the North Pole.  And the answer to the final riddle is… a leg.” Celestia said, she and Luna wincing as they waited for the sphinx’s reply.

The sphinx sat as silent as the mountain that encased it.  After what seemed like an eternity it nodded its head once. “Those answers are all correct.”

The sisters let out a collective sigh of relief, both of them having lost count of how long they had been holding their breath.  Now that they had answered the sphinx’s riddles they had to get back to the task at hand.

“Have you thought on our request?” Celestia asked.

“Indeed I have.  While Argos the Wind Rider is completely mad, there is one thing that he cares for more than anything in the world.  It is here where you may be able to contain him.” The sphinx said as an orange box with intricate golden trim styled much like flames on the edges appeared before the sisters.  “Inside this box, is the very life essence of the Flame Dancer, the king’s daughter.  With this box, you hold the very will of the Wind Rider, as he would allow no harm to come to his daughter. But…” it started, causing the sisters to look up. “The box can only be wielded by the one whose destiny is tied to it.  It is the sacrifice for the Flame Dancer to make.”

The two alicorns stared dumbfounded at the box, eyes wide in something like terror and shock as they realized the implications of what the sphinx was offering them.

“Is there no other way?” Luna pleaded with the sphinx, its indifferent gaze staring down at her.

“There is no other way.  The destiny of the world is tied to the courage of the Flame Dancer.” The sphinx told her.

“Are you sure we should do this Tia?  It just doesn’t seem fair.” Luna asked her sister as she stood mouth agape at the sphinx’s words.

“If it is the only way, then we must Luna.  She would agree with us.” Celestia replied hanging her head sadly.  “So you’re saying that the box must be in Pandora’s possession, no one else can use it?” she asked.

“Indeed.  But be warned only the contents of the box are special, not the box itself.  If the Flame Dancer should lose possession of the box, then nothing will stand in the Wind Bender’s way.” The sphinx warned

Celestia sighed with defeat.  She hated the idea of what this meant for her dear friend, but as the sphinx said it was the only way.  “Very well, then we thank you for your help.  We shall be on our way.” She told the sphinx as she turned to go, lifting the box with her magic.

“There is one other thing.” The sphinx said, causing the sisters to turn back to it with interest.

“A great threat lies in the northeast, in the land of the ponies.  There will come a time when you must defeat it, but only with the help of the elements of the world can you do this.”  It said as a pair of boxes appeared; one blue with gold trim, the other green with gold and red trim. “Within these boxes are the means to defeat this evil and to set your destinies in motion.”

The boxes opened and the sisters peered inside.  Inside the first one lay two crowns, one gold and the other black with a light blue border.  The golden crown had a purple jewel set in the center in addition to three jewels set around it, one red, one a sky blue, and the other magenta. Set in the black crown were a dark purple jewel, a pink jewel, and an orange jewel.  Within the other box were five necklaces. Each had a golden band and were set with their own jewels.  As Celestia and Luna looked from left to right they saw a brown jewel and a gray jewel in the shape of a mountain, an ice blue jewel in the shape of a hurricane, a black jewel in the shape of the earth, and finally, outshining the others was a dark yellow jewel in the shape of a flame.   They stared in wonder at these necklaces and then looked up to the sphinx.

“What are we to do with these?” Celestia asked.

“Those on the left are the Elements of Harmony, and those on the right are the Elements of Life.  When only one group is together, they are powerful, but when all are together, they are an unstoppable force which can vanquish any evil.” The sphinx said before the Elements of Life began to glow and levitate into the air before flying off into the darkness of the night behind the alicorns.  “The Elements of Life are choosing their masters. All you need to do is take the Elements of Harmony, and when the time comes, all will be made clear.”

Celestia and Luna looked at each other for a second before turning their eyes back to the Elements.  As they stepped forward the two crowns rose up into the air, suspended only by the mysterious magic of the world, older than even that of the sphinx’s own magic.  The sisters took a tentative step back before calmly stepping forward again. They took a stance beside each other, their heads held high and chests out.  The crowns began to glow and disappeared in a brilliant flash before reappearing on the sisters’ heads.  In addition to the crowns there appeared on Celestia a golden chest piece with the same purple jewel as her crown set into it with intricate accents going from front to back and fine golden shoes upon her hooves that came up the front to her ankles. Upon Luna was a black chest piece bordered in light blue much like her own crown with a white crescent moon matching her cutie mark on the front and fine silver shoes upon her hooves.  They stared in awe at their finements and then looked up to the sphinx.

“We thank you great Sphinx for your gifts.” Celestia called up as she and Luna bowed their heads.

The sphinx stared indifferent down at them. “Be warned, abuse of the elements will yield dire consequences. For without Friendship, there is no Harmony, and without Love, there is no Friendship.”

“We will heed your warning.” Celestia responded as the two alicorns turned and made their way from the cave, once outside, the door sealed shut behind them and they made their way into the sky with a beat of their powerful wings.

*  *  *  *

Twilight looked up at the Princesses like a filly who’d just heard her favorite bedtime story.  Her eyes glowed with awe as she looked to Princess Celestia.

“So the sphinx does exist, I thought it was all just an old mare’s tale. Then what happened after it gave you the Elements?” she asked.

“Well it turned out that the Elements of Life had made some interesting choices. To Gaia, went the element of wisdom.  To Atlas, went the elements of Courage and Strength, and surprisingly to Argos went the element of Humility.” Luna said with a shrug of her shoulders in response to the dumbfounded looks of her friends.  That was the first reaction she and Celestia had themselves when they first heard of Argos’ element.

“Um, excuse me Luna.  You only mentioned five elements.  What happened to the sixth?” Fluttershy peeped from her spot beside Rainbow Dash.

Celestia smiled warmly, a small tear in the corner of her eyes. “Ah now that element had chosen very wisely.  For upon Pandora was bestowed the greatest element of them all, Love.”

“Without Love, there is no Friendship. Without Friendship, there is no Love.” Luna recited the phrase that she had heard from the sphinx long ago.

Rarity sat in thought about the beautiful jewels which had just been described when a thought occurred to her. “So what happened to the box that the sphinx gave you?”

Atlas had returned to Luna’s side during the story and now took the opportunity to speak once more.  “Luna, Celestia, and I agreed to keep it a secret amongst ourselves.  After they returned to our home in the former palace of their parents we held a council and thought on the sphinx’s words.  Celestia and Luna then decided that they would go north to face this threat that the sphinx mentioned, who turned out to be none other than Discord.  But they then discovered what the sphinx had said about the Elements of Harmony and Life combined.  The Discord you faced was significantly weaker than the one we faced.  The war waged for centuries, finally though through our combined efforts the Elements of Life took on Discord’s minions while Luna and Celestia were able to defeat him with the Elements of Harmony. The rest is history.”

“And what about Argos’ plans?” Rainbow Dash asked, surprisingly awake despite her penchant for sleeping through long stories.

Celestia looked up this time with a sigh. “He had remained quiet for nearly a decade, we thought perhaps in the process of fighting Discord he had been cured of whatever madness had a hold of him.  But unfortunately he soon began his quest to conquer the north.  He set his sights on Equestria and marched forth with an army of golems and other dark beasts, his kingdom now completely devoid of any other ponies save for Pandora and Daru. When we finally learned of what he was doing he had started to march through the Whispering Woods, where Gaia did her best to delay him.”

Gaia sniffled a bit and shook some tears from her eyes. “He destroyed my beautiful forest. What he didn’t burn outright he corrupted with his very presence!” she cried, burying her face in Celestia’s side, who did her best to comfort her friend.

The girls looked with sympathy for the crying unicorn; they seemed to be learning more about her as the story unfolded, and to hear of something she felt like a mother to be destroyed; well, Twilight could only think of the sadness her own mother must of felt when she had left to live in Canterlot as Celestia’s student, only worse.  But the girls just couldn’t grasp why, if she was so sad did she not accept friendship from anyone except the princesses. Any of the girls could say the best thing to cure one’s sadness was the comfort of your friends; well that and a party, if you asked Pinkie Pie.

“By the time he made it out of the forest.” Atlas continued. “We had assembled what soldiers we could and set up defenses just outside of Celestia and Luna’s new castle.”

“Where was Pandora?” Fluttershy asked.

Celestia, who had draped a wing over, Gaia looked up. “We did not know for the longest time. The war against discord took a lot out of her, so she had taken some time to rest.  It wasn’t until Argos was on our doorstep that Pandora suddenly appeared.

*  *  *  *

Celestia and Luna stood at the rear of their army, Gaia and Atlas on either side of them.  Their hearts sank as they looked out at the opposing army.  Argos had assembled a force that outnumbered theirs ten to one. At the front stood a massive force of stone golems, followed by a smaller number of minotaurs, and at the vanguard stood an assembly of unnatural and seemingly supernatural beings with Argos and Daru amongst them.  As the four friends looked out at their enemy the ranks began to part as Argos and Daru walked up to the front, their attention solely on the sisters.

“Celestia! Luna! You clearly can see resistance is futile.  If you would only surrender Equestria to me there would be no need for anyone to be hurt!” Argos called up to them with the most sinister smile on his face that matched the one on Daru’s features.

“We have nothing to say to you, traitor!” Gaia suddenly called as she shook with rage, fully feeling the pain and destruction of her forests and animals that had succumbed to the mad king. Atlas quickly stepped to her side and put a hoof to her lips.

Celestia and Luna calmly walked to the edge of the battlement and looked down at Argos, their eyes hiding the absolute disgust and hatred they felt for the two stallions before them.

“You have no claim to the north Argos. You should return to your own kingdom, which clearly needs your attention.” Celestia stated with a derisive snort.

“Ah but you see my dear Celestia, my subjects seem to have moved to your own lands over the years, and I intend to reclaim them, and perhaps acquire some new territory in the process, for I myself have grown quite tired of the south.” Argos chuckled.

“Then if conflict cannot be avoided I propose a challenge, Argos the Wind Rider.  Let you and I duel, the loser must leave the land of Equestria and never return.” She called back to him, stifling Luna’s protests with a raised hoof.

“You are too clever for your own good Celestia. For you know already how that battle will end.  What can the Wind hope to do against the very Sun?” Argos called back with a raised brow.

“There would be no additional advantages used. Just a battle between immortals with only the powers we were born with.” Celestia offered.

“And yet again I would be at a disadvantage. No Celestia, I think I will use the advantage in numbers I have.  You see, I know how deeply you care for your subjects, and to see them all dead before you would wound you far worse than anything I could do personally to you.  So I know you would make the choice that is best for them.” Argos retorted.

“Little snake is right.” Atlas mumbled behind the princesses.

Celestia moved to speak before the sky above was suddenly filled with flame.  When all had calmed a vibrant and refreshed Pandora hovered in the sky, her eyes glowing and her mane and tail flickering like a raging wildfire.

“Argos the Wind Rider!  I have come to order you to leave Equestria in peace and return to the south!  Your actions have already upset the balance of life and corrupted the land upon which you have walked! Return from whence you came or suffer the greatest punishment possible!” Pandora shouted in a Royal voice that made Luna’s seem like a whisper, causing even the rock Golems to clutch their ears.

“I’m afraid I cannot do that my dear. You will understand in the end.” Argos said to his daughter as calmly as he could despite being a bit taken aback himself by her appearance.

As everyone looked at Pandora with wonder she materialized the box that Celestia and Luna had received from the sphinx, causing the sisters to look up with shock.

“How did she get that?” Luna looked to her sister.

“Celestia, Luna. I knew about the box after I had visited the sphinx during my rest.  I understand and appreciate you trying to protect me, but I wish you would have given me the box sooner so that the world would not have had to suffer such a fate as befallen it everywhere Argos has tread.” She said with visible despair before her eyes returned to normal, a loving smile on her face. The reprise was brief, as her eyes began to burn with fury once more. “Argos the Wind Rider, if you will not yield to reason then you will suffer the consequences.” She said as her horn began to glow, surrounding the box with a flame like aura.

The defenders and attackers alike looked with shock and fear as the box began to shake, the trim glowing as the lock gave and the lid of the box slowly opened.  From the box poured thousands of spectral phoenixes flying as a wall of flame that picked up the attacking army and its king, carrying it far across the land back to the castle by the sea.

The golems were formed into a molten ball which was then cast into the ocean, the supernatural beings were thrown into Tartarus, and finally the mad king and his advisor were turned to stone and sealed away in his castle.

As the scene played itself out in the sky, projected by Pandora’s magic, the land began to shake as Argos’ castle itself began to shift and move, Atlas and Gaia quickly took to the air and struggled to shut the box, using their magic as well as their brute strength.  After finally forcing the box shut everyone watched with shock as Pandora suddenly lost consciousness and began to plummet from the sky.  Acting quickly before she could fall too far, Celestia and Luna used their magic to catch her and ease her down onto the ground while Gaia and Atlas set down beside her, looking down at their friend with worry.

“Is she?” Gaia looked up to the others with tears in her eyes.

“I don’t know.” Celestia said as she knelt down beside the motionless alicorn, her horn glowing and her ear pressed to her side. “It’s very faint but her heart still beats.” She looked up to them. “Come, let’s get her into the castle.” She said lifting Pandora up with her magic.

“I’ll deal with the soldiers then meet you there.” Luna said as she turned, waving a pegasus in golden armor over.

“I’ll take care of that for you Princess.” Came the voice of a stallion as he walked up beside Luna, the bells on his robes and hat jingling with each step.  He slowly stroked his long gray beard with a hoof as he looked down at the scene before him.

“Oh, thank you Starswirl.” Luna replied, receiving a nod from the stallion before she moved to her sister’s side.  She nodded to the others before they took to the air with Pandora in tow.

*  *  *  *

Night had fallen when Pandora finally opened her eyes.  She looked around the familiar settings, finally recognizing the room as her own in Celestia and Luna’s castle.  She tried to move but found it difficult to lift her head even an inch off the ground without her mind spinning.  She laid in thought for a few moments, trying to get her thoughts back together when saw a shadow creep across the ground and coming face to face with a smiling, teary eyed Gaia.

“What happened?” she asked with a hoarse groan.

“You passed out after Atlas and I shut your box.” Gaia said, floating a glass of water over to her.

Pandora’s eyes opened wide. “What! Why did you shut my box?  I needed to collapse the cliff and send the castle into the ocean!” she said starting up and knocking the glass to the floor, only to feel faint.

“Easy there.” Atlas said as he caught Pandora; lying down beside her to hold her up.

“You have already destroyed Argos’ army and encased him in stone; there is nothing more that needs to be done.” Celestia said appearing in the doorway with Luna at her side, relief on their faces.

“How are you feeling?” Luna asked.

“Very weak, I had nearly depleted my entire life source before you closed the box; I fear if I should use it again there will be no saving me.” She explained as she sat up on her own now that she had gotten her bearings. “I also feel something else. Almost like a disconnected feeling, loss.” She said, trying to grasp it.

“The Elements of life are gone.” Atlas told her. “Gaia and I have the same feeling.” He said with a nod from Gaia.

“I see.” Was all Gaia could say, her head hanging. “I’m afraid I must go away, to rest once more, though this time will have to be much longer since I have such little life force to try and sustain.  And I do not want to be a burden upon you and Luna, Celestia.”

“Nonsense my friend, we will make sure that nothing disturbs you hear.” Celestia assured her.

“Let me rephrase it then, I don’t want to be a danger.  You have seen how Philomena regenerates, Celestia.  I do it in the same way only with much more intensity; that is why I go far into the mountains to do it.” She told them, stretching her wings and legs before slowly standing to her feet.

“I’m sure we can find somewhere in the castle for you.” Luna said.

“No I must go somewhere where it is safe for everyone.” Pandora replied with a shake of her head.

Atlas stood in thought for a few minutes, his hoof on his chin.

“I think I may have a solution. How soon must you rest?” he asked.

“I can wait a day at the most.” She replied.

Atlas walked to the balcony, stretching his wings out. “I only need a few hours.”

With a quick flap of his wings he had set off out the window and soon disappeared on the horizon.

*  *  *  *

“So what happened next?” Rarity asked, fully enraptured by the story like the others.

“I created a place just for Pandora and named it Phoenix Rock, in her honor.” Atlas said, nuzzling a depressed Luna.

“Phoenix Rock, that’s the mountain just south of the Everfree Forest.” Twilight said. “I’d always tried to study it with my telescope when I was younger.”

“Indeed, Pandora had insisted we seal her inside it while she rested for the next two thousand years, but when Gaia and I had learned that Argos had broken free from his prison, we hurried to Phoenix Rock only to find it empty.  The attack just now confirms that he has her, which is why we have come for you all.  You see, after we learned of Pandora’s disappearance we sought the council of the sphinx, who then told us to seek out the new bearers of the Elements of Life.  It then taught us the spell which Gaia was able to use to find you.

“Great Atlas I must confess, of any powers I have not been blessed.” Zecora said with a shrug of her shoulders, her neck rings jingling lightly.

“I haven’t noticed anything different either. How about you Big Mac?” Derpy said, turning to the stallion.

“Nope.” Came the stallion’s short reply.

“Maybe the Elements of Life are like the Elements of Harmony, they all have to be together to appear.” Twilight interjected with her hoof on her chin as she thought through all the possibilities.

“Perhaps you are right Twilight, if that is the case then you must track down the other two elements.” Celestia said.

“That is indeed one of the reasons why we came, Celest.  In addition to tracking down the Elements of Life, we came to ask for the assistance of the Elements of Harmony.  Perhaps with the two combined we can rescue Pandora and defeat Argos without her having to use her box, you know she will.” He said with a glance to the princesses, who gave a nod.

Celestia looked to Atlas with a thought. “Yes, if it will protect her friends Pandora won’t hesitate to use it again, provided she even still has the box. My guess is Argos may have taken it from her.”

“Gaia and I guessed the same.” Atlas agreed.

“Don’t worry Princess, we’ll do everything we can to help.” Twilight spoke up with a determined stomp of her hoof. “Right girls?” she said looking to the others who gave an eager cheer.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Atlas said with a smile before drawing his attention to a nearby clock.  “But it is late, I think we shall sleep tonight and spend the morning preparing.  We have some time before Argos is fully prepared to make his move against Equestria. Shall we set out say, around lunch time?” he asked looking to the others.

Everyone agreed that they would head home to sleep.  Derpy had to make sure Sparkler and Dinky were looked after while she was gone, along with finding someone to take her mail route because no barrage of fireballs would stop the mail.  Applejack offered to have them stay at the farm with Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle where Cheerilee would help Granny Smith and Sparkler look after the fillies.

The others would go home that night and then meet up at the entrance to the Everfree Forest around noon.  Now that everyone had agreed on a plan and started to filter out of the library, Twilight caught sight of Zecora as she headed for the door.

“Zecora, would you, like to sleep here tonight, it’s an awful long way to your hut.  Think of it like a sort of sleep over” Twilight offered, smiling at the Zebra.  A sleep over with Zecora seemed like it would be a lot of fun now that she thought of it, they’d have to try it for real sometime when this was over.

“Of your offer, I am quite in delight.  But I do not wish to be a burden to you tonight.” Zecora said with a smile, holding up a tentative hoof.

“Nonsense, I’d be happy to let you sleep here, I insist.”  She said holding out a hoof to her.

“Well if you must insist of me, then I shall not turn you down so thoughtlessly.” Zecora replied, sharing a lighthearted laugh with Twilight.

As Twilight laughed with her friend, she noticed that the Princesses and the others were standing just outside.  After pulling out the spare bed in her room for Zecora she let her get comfortable while she went back downstairs and outside, finding the alicorns still where they were.  Come to think of it Twilight was starting to wonder why Atlas and Gaia weren’t alicorns anymore.  It might be a touchy subject, but it couldn’t hurt to ask.  It might make for interesting conversation while they walked.

“Is everything ok, Princess?” she asked, tilting her head slightly as she nuzzled her mentor’s side a bit.

“Yes I am fine Twilight, you should get some rest.  You have a big adventure ahead of you.” Celestia replied, returning her student’s nuzzle.

Twilight smiled then looked to Gaia and Atlas. “Would you two like to stay here tonight too?” she asked.

Her request was met with a cold shoulder as Gaia turned and walked off to where the camp she and Atlas had set up was. Twilight looked helplessly to Atlas, who smiled at her and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Do not worry Twilight, Gaia is just not the type to easily make friends as of late.” He assured her.

“I feel bad for her, it must be lonely without friends.” She replied, watching as the last strands of the unicorn’s strawberry cream tail disappeared into the darkness.

Celestia chuckled and lifted Twilight’s chin with a hoof. “I seem to recall a certain unicorn that was the same way.”

“But I found wonderful friends that I love with all my heart.” Twilight replied with a smile.

“Maybe this adventure will allow Gaia to do the same. Perhaps you and the others are just the ponies to do it.” Luna said as she exchanged a smile, followed by a nuzzle, with Atlas.

“Well, I will set off myself.  I must see how things are faring with the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Canterlot. I will see you tomorrow Luna, I’m sure you and Atlas would like to spend some time to ‘catch up’.” She said winking to the two older ponies, causing Luna’s cheeks to redden a bit, but luckily the darkness hid it well enough under her fur. “Good night Twilight.” She said turning her attention back to her student.

“Goodnight Princess.” Twilight said, sharing a final nuzzle with the Princess before her teacher took off in a single flap of her powerful wings.

Twilight bid goodnight to the other two and went inside, the library soon turning dark as the last light was extinguished.  Luna and Atlas took the opportunity to walk through the town, watching the construction crews that had already begun repairing the buildings that could be repaired, while others cleared away the debris of those that had to be taken down or were destroyed in the attack.  As they made their way out of town they came up to the secluded hill where everyone had gathered to watch the meteor shower after Twilight first came to Ponyville.  After Luna laid down she was joined by Atlas who wrapped himself around her, her forelegs over his own.  They cuddled for a bit, their foreheads touching in the same manner that unicorn couples did where their horns would normally cross, something that the two of them did quite often back when Atlas still had a horn.

“I missed you so much Atlas.” Luna finally said, breaking the silence.

“I missed you as well.  There was many a night that I would look up at the moon, staring at the mare on the surface and thinking of you.” He replied, nuzzling her neck with his cheek.

“But I was a monster then!  I did not deserve any sympathy or even your love anymore.” She said looking into his eyes, getting a smile from him. “What?” she demanded.

“Luna, you were no monster.  You were hurt and vulnerable, we all were. But the nightmare must have seen you as the more valuable prize.” He assured her, kissing her softly on the forehead.

“Oh yes like I’m some great prize.” She said, rolling her eyes. “I couldn’t even help run a kingdom right without the jealousy taking hold of me and making it easier for the nightmare to take me. My sister could have done it all; in fact, she did after she had to banish me!”

“Celestia had more help than anyone knows.  Though after Argos, no one even wanted to think of seeing another pony like him, so I had to assist from the shadows while Gaia was more visible.  Even when Gaia and I had to leave to go on our expedition she still asked for help to fill the void left by your absence.” He said lifting her chin up to meet her eyes.  “But the titles did nothing to hide the pain she felt at losing her only sister along with the stress of that combined with running a whole kingdom, and controlling the day and the night.  She was definitely hurt more than I ever could be by the loss.”

“Why couldn’t you have fallen in love with my sister, you’re definitely too good for me.” she mumbled, a hoof soon lightly placed on her lips causing her to look back up into his eyes.

“You’re strong, brave, wise, and beautiful.  You have lived through a great deal that would break a lesser pony.  If anything, you’re too good for me.” He said giving her a wink as Luna’s eyes began to fill with tears.  “You give yourself too little credit my love.  You are a great pony.  I see it in the eyes of your people as you walk among them, I saw it on the night of the Lunar festival, and most importantly, I see it in your friends.”

“Twilight is a great friend, she's actually the reason two of those examples are even possible.  She reminds me so much of Pandora.” She said wiping the tears away.

“I’m sure they will like each other very much.” He chuckled as he assisted her in wiping away the tears, placing a kiss over each eye.

Luna nuzzled closer to the stallion, wiggling her body under him until she was partly under him with his foreleg around her, soft coos escaping her lips as she pressed her body against his.

“I love you Atlas; I never want to lose you again.” She whispered, kissing along his strong neck.

Atlas softly kissed along the back of her elegant neck and shoulders. “You never lost me.”

For the first time in a long, long time.  The pair shared a moment under the stars together, the distant form of Luna’s peak framed by the moon.