NOTE: This prologue is somewhat optional. If you choose not to read it, there will be no negative repercussions in terms of your ability to understand the story itself.
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Perhaps it is time... the pale white pony contemplated as she strode towards her private chambers, her footsteps reverberating about the deserted corridor.
It was not often she had time to herself to think, thoroughly occupied with all of the affairs associated with running a bustling kingdom. When she wasn't dealing with some urgent matter or hearing the complaints and requests of Equestria's denizens, she was bound to fulfill her social obligations to Equestria's nobility, attending one extravagant function or another. Celestia knew she couldn't complain, in truth feeling that to do so would be unjustified considering her lavish lifestyle, but these occupations served to leave her precious little time to herself.
The early hours of the night had thus become one of her favourite times, although she was unwilling to divulge this fact to anypony, least of all her little sister. In fact, she now looked forward to her post-sunset stroll through the grand corridors and grounds of the palace to her chambers as a sort of nightly event. This serene handful of minutes each night was one the scant few times she had available to her to be completely alone with her thoughts, barring of course the occasional guard on patrol in the palace. She knew that this time was precious and had resolved herself to making the best possible use of it.
Thus from the moment she departed the ceremony of the setting of the sun, Celestia focused her mind almost entirely on whatever issue was preeminent that particular day, determined to make every second count in her peaceful meditation. Her tranquil stroll through the palace grounds provided the perfect relaxed setting for these sessions of reflective contemplation.
Today, the foremost issue which wracked her mind was not a new one, but rather one that had troubled her for decades.
Perhaps it is time they should know...
Celestia paused in the moonlit gardens, taking in the rich aromas of the innumerable flours as thoughts buzzed through her head like their daytime nurturers. She always enjoyed the soothing aromas of the flowers when she was deep in thought. Taking a deep breath to clear her mind, she continued on her stroll.
Perhaps they are ready to know the truth of where they came from... of what their ancestors have done...
Celestia arrived at the entrance into the final corridor, acknowledging the two guards flanking the entrance with gentle nods of her head. The guards saluted sharply and quickly opened the doors for her.
It's been difficult preventing them from discovering the truth already, I can't hide it forever...
Celestia slowly strode down the magnificent corridor, the grandest in the entire palace. She gazed around, still amazed by the magnificent pillars; the breathtaking floor which, by some magic, had been made to glow almost like the sun; the walls with stunning gold inlays and patterns; the awe-inspiring ceiling, covered in spectacular works of art by some of Equestria's finest artists... It was indeed a sight to behold.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. Knowledge of past evils may not necessarily encourage their repetition. Perhaps they may even learn from the mistakes of their ancestors. In fact, there are even some benevolent examples that they may learn from...
Celestia arrived at the large, beautifully-crafted doors of her private chambers. The two ponies guarding the doors snapped into a sharp salute, their golden armor shimmering in the light that seemed to radiate from the floor.
Who am I to deny them the truths of their origins? Would Harmony approve of what I have done...?
The two unicorn guards opened the doors for Celestia with their magic, allowing her to enter, before gently closing the doors behind her.
Still, there's no way of knowing what would happen...
Celestia walked purposefully over to the largest of her bookshelves.
Can they handle the truth, or would it mortify and depress them beyond consolation? I can't stand to think what would happen to the emotionally sensitive ponies of the Crystal Empire should they be exposed to such a brutal story...
She paused momentarily, scanning the shelf, before gingerly drawing out a rather inconspicuous looking novel and placing it down on a table. It was a rather large book with a simple green cover. It appeared to be shoddily made and heavily worn out. Its pages drooped and the cover was in very poor condition, barely holding the book together. On the cover in large, faded blue letters was:
What To Do When Everything is Going Wrong
By Hovered Posy
It may embolden some to repeat the evil acts of their ancestors. If they know the pure evil they are capable of, who knows what they would do...
Celestia's horn suddenly shone out magnificently in the dimness of the candlelit room. The book levitated and was briefly engulfed in brilliant golden light before falling back to the table, transformed almost as a phoenix is reborn.
The book bore no resemblance to the beaten old novel it had appeared to be mere moments ago. It now took the form of a leather-bound book in perfect condition. Its cover was a magnificent golden hue, appearing almost as if it was emanating pure sunlight. The cover was inlaid with numerous intricate patterns and designs, a remarkable testament to the artistic skill of the book's creator. Emblazoned on its cover in large, ruby-red letters was:
On the Origins of Harmony
By Kroner Jilt
Under the Guidance of Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia
They are happy as it is, why make them feel burdened with past evils? Almost nopony has shown any real interest in their history after all...
Celestia stared for several minutes at the orphan book. Truly it is an orphan in that it is the only book of its kind, yet also in a deeper sense in that its author had recently, one week to the day to be precise, passed away of old age.
It is a shame that he never saw his master work published, but the risks are simply too great... Celestia thought on, still debating the idea fiercely within her mind. But the tide had turned. Where moments ago possible benefits had surged forward in her mind, innumerable fears of the potential consequences now stood dominant.
Years ago she had commissioned the writer, Kroner Jilt, to create a book on the complete, unaltered history of Equestria. It was planned to be released should the day ever come when Celestia deemed it acceptable for the general public to learn the true history of the land. She had given him all the information he needed; tales of the creation of Equestria, the past atrocities of its inhabitants, the origins of the evil forces which have plagued the land, the truth behind the origins of many modern festivals and celebrations, and any other information possibly needed to draft a comprehensive story of the development of Equestria from creation to what it is today.
Kroner Jilt made great sacrifices in the creation of the book, as he knew he would from the beginning. For it was stipulated that should he choose to accept the royal commission and create the book, he would have to remain in seclusion in the Canterlot Palace until either he passed, or the time came for the book to be released. This was the condition placed on receiving the honour, and possible later fame, of writing this story of Equestria's true past. And though he waited over 25 years in his secret room of the castle, attended to almost as royalty by servants sworn to utmost secrecy, he would not live to see his work published.
The risks are just too great...
Celestia laid a hoof gently upon the cover of the book, tears beginning to well up in her eyes upon reflecting the fate of the author. She gingerly lifted the cover and began to, for what she believed to be at least the tenth time, read the familiar text.
Perhaps...One day...
Part 1: Of Dawn and Darkness, Chapter 1: In Principio
In the beginning there existed a single omnipotent being. Almost nothing at all is known of Her origins and only two living beings are aware she ever existed. Yet all of Equestria’s history traces back to and is rooted in this being; a being the Alicorns came to know simply as Harmony.
For She was indeed the very embodiment of peace and unity. A being with nigh unlimited power to create, to breathe life where none existed.
As she gazed out into the blank void around her she was sad. True, there is peace and tranquility in emptiness, but it didn't feel quite right. She wanted something...more; something to pour her creative energy into, to fill the emptiness, to share her gifts of love and unity with.
It is unknown when Harmony conceived the notion of creating beings in Her own image, only that She eventually decided to do so as is plainly evident in the very existence of ponies.
And so, out of complete emptiness, 20 beings materialized before Harmony in flashes of pure white light.
As intended, these beings were nigh identical to the omnipotent being they now gazed upon incredulously; each appearing as ponies of above average size complete with both a pair of wings and a horn.
They were indeed modeled after Harmony Herself, but were all different in one way or another. Each had a unique colour pattern and their wings, manes, and horns all varied in shape and size. Furthermore, two of these alicorns stood clearly apart from the rest, standing over a head above their brothers.
Nor were they identical in non-physical aspects. Each had a random assortment of unique mental attributes and motivations. They were all imbued with the desire to seek more, to strive for a sense of fulfillment of their innermost desires. For Harmony had made them free to find their own way; to explore their passions, to pursue their dreams, to find their own calling. This was possibly Harmony's greatest gift of all, the gift of free will.
Harmony appeared to them not in physical form, but simply as a a glowing white light in the darkness. Her radiance alleviated the utter darkness of the void, affording the First Ponies their first glimpse of both themselves and their fellow alicorns.
For the first time, as Her new creations stared on in wonder and awe, Harmony's voice rang out through the void.
"My children, I have brought thee forth from the void in my very image to be as guiding eyes over creation, of which you are but the opening piece. For out of the blackness I shall bring light; out of silence, great musics and jubilation; and out of emptiness, a fair domain that shall flourish with life eternal. You shall watch over this domain, maintaining peace and unity as you rule over all of creation on my behalf. And though I shall have many children after you, I shall honour thee 'bove all the rest. Indeed, you have already received gifts others will want for; your stature shall exceed that of all other ponies and, although not impervious to harm, you shall need not fear death by any natural means. Now go forth into the home I shall make for you. Go where you will go, see what you will see, do what you will do. Go forth, and discover the part you are destined to play in my creation." Harmony's horn began to glow even as she spoke her final encouragements to her First Ponies. And magic the likes of which has never since been witnessed surged forward into the void, filling the emptiness with brilliant white light.
The alicorns gazed on at the radiant spectacle as the light began to take shape, forming into a shining white orb which stood defiantly 'gainst the darkness of the void. Around it, the light formed two smaller spheres which seemed to slowly chase each other around their larger cousin, maintaining equal distance between them.
As quickly as the light had materialized, it vanished, leaving the First Ponies to stare on amazedly at what was left behind.
As it retreated, the first sight they beheld was the true faces of the two smaller spheres. One appeared as a radiant golden disk swathed with tongues of fire, casting magnificent light out into the void. The other appeared as a silvery white sphere which seemed to give off its own pale silvery-white light, albeit much fainter than its larger brother.
Soon the last remnants of light faded away, allowing them an unobstructed view of the largest sphere in its full glory. It was covered in large patches of green and blue and pockmarked with white fluffs. Half the surface was illuminated by the light of the golden sphere, while the other resided in almost complete darkness but for the pale white glow of the smaller silver sphere. A few moments passed by, the ponies simply gazing down on the world Harmony had promised them. Suddenly, a white light engulfed them all.
Instantaneously they, albeit temporarily blinded by the light, perceived themselves to be standing on solid ground, their hoofs digging ever-so-slightly into the soft turf. As their vision returned to them, they began to take in their surroundings.
At this time, the land was bare for miles around, completely flat and consisting entirely of short grass. There were no mountains; no large plants of any kind; and certainly none of the landmarks which define the Equestria of today. It was a world of simply grass and, in the distance, water.
The First Ponies were hit with a barrage of pleasurable sensations; the warmth of the sun on their fur, the cool breeze on their flesh, the softness of the tender grass upon which they stood. All these sensations and more assailed their senses, vying for attention. And they were truly content.
Now, upon the empty field, Harmony appeared before them in all the magnificence of her physical form. She appeared as an alicorn three times the size of even the tallest of the First Ponies. Her fur was pure white and had a radiant golden-white glow about it. Her long, flowing mane and tail were of equal parts pale silver and gold, exuding a warm light of their own. Her wings began as gold at the tips and slowly morphed to silver towards the trailing edge. Her massive horn matched the pure white of her fur and wound up towards the tip in an ornate design. Her hooves were adorned with a pattern which appeared almost as golden fire. On her flanks were emblazoned a large star of black and white in equal proportions, surrounded by the sun and moon. She was truly a sight to behold.
Standing before the ponies, Her horn began to glow white.
At once, the minds of the ponies went blank. A few moments passed before their minds slowly flashed back to reality. So came to pass Harmony's final gift of creation to her Chosen Ponies, that of knowledge. For Harmony's spell had reached into their minds and imbued all the knowledge of their surroundings; the nature of the world and the celestial bodies which surrounded it, life and death, day and night, and everything else they would need to know to guide all aspects of Harmony's creation, including what she intended them to do to begin their roles as caretakers of creation.
When this spell was completed, Harmony immediately began weaving another. The ground shook and convulsed, almost seeming to have taken a life of its own. Mountains surged forth, gentle hills rose up, water began to flow across the land in shallow chasms, and vegetation, from the smallest shrub to the mighty forests, began to spring forth across the land. Equestria's surface was no longer endless flat grassland, but was now more resemblant to the complex and diverse system of interconnected geological features that it is today.
Lastly, the final, and possibly most magnificent, threads were woven into the tapestry of creation. For all around Equestria, creatures of all types surged into existence. From small bunnies to massive dragons, beings of all shapes and sizes appeared to fill the emptiness of the land.
Chief of these creations were the ponies. Harmony crafted the Pegasi, ponies with a set of wings but no horn, to rule the skies; Earth ponies, ponies with neither wings nor horns yet with unique gifts of their own, to work and have dominion over the land; and unicorns, ponies gifted with a horn yet no wings, to work great magics and render assistance to the others. Harmony thus created a system of interdependence and unity as these 3 predominant types of ponies would work together to survive and thrive in the land she had created for them. As this spell was completed, Harmony finally rested.
"Go forth!" She exclaimed one last time, reiterating her prior instructions to her Chosen Ponies.
Harmony faded first to white light, then to nothing at all, leaving the ponies to take their first steps toward their destinies.
Author's Note
Exactly what Harmony revealed to them as well as their first adventures in Equestria to come in the next chapter.
This will be the last brief chapter for a while.
