The Stallionrillian

In the time before time began, all of existence was both one and nothing.  And it called itself Void.  Void considered the nothing that was both itself and its home and pondered the paradox of itself.  There is no record of how long Void pondered for Time had not yet been conceived.  However at the conclusion of its ponderings, Void knew one thing for certain.

It was lonely.

The Void was all, and all was the Void.  There simply was not space for another, nor was there even Space.  So the Void became Lonely, and since all was the Void, all was Loneliness.

Then came the Idea.

The Void that was Loneliness conceived that its Loneliness could be taken away if there were an Other to share it.  And even though there was no such Other there was also none to stop Void from making an Other.  Without hesitation Void reached into itself and tore off a great piece—and suddenly all was not the Void.  Taking the piece and molding it Void created Something.  Something came alive instantly and the Void was no longer Lonely.  And so where first was nothing there now were two.

This is the lesson of Generosity: That even if all you have is nothing, giving freely of it produces more than what you had in the first place.

_oOo_

And so it came to pass that Something was brought into existence, and behold he was like unto a child.  The curiosity of Something was without bounds and long did he discourse with Void until he knew all that Void did.  But this knowledge was not sufficient for Something.  And so He too began to ponder, but in secret so as not to trouble Void.  Exactly how long Something thought cannot be said for even yet there was neither time nor anything to measure it.  However Something came to a conclusion similar to Void’s

He was Bored.

For lo, all there was in the whole of existence was himself and Void.  And although the Void was an excellent companion, Something would as often hear silence from it as a reply.  And even then talking to but one being will always grow tiresome eventually.  However Something knew all that the Void knew and therefore also knew of the Idea that spurred his creation.

Something began to break off bits of himself and mold them as Void had first molded him.  In so doing Something created many smaller Things, though he knew not their names.  The Things were myriad and no two looked alike.  Some were big, and some were small.  Some were beautiful and some were ugly.  Some were heavy and some were light.  Some were abstract and some were concrete. Some could move and some could not.  Some can still be found in the world today, and many cannot.  And all the Things praised their Creator.  Something rejoiced in his Creations and clutched the Things to his breast to keep them safe.  For he was afraid that Void would see what he had done and command him to un-make them.  And that, Something would not do.

Eventually Void grew curious as why his Creation had become so secretive and sought Something out for discourse.  Something tried to flee, but no matter where he went Void was there.  Defeated, Something revealed his myriad Creations to Void and braced himself for rejection.  However as Void looked down upon Something’s works he did a thing unknown yet to existence.

Void Laughed.

It felt Joy to see its Creation follow in its path and rejoiced in each and every little Thing that had been made.  Something too felt the Joy come over him, and he too began Laughing and all things were enlivened by this.  And so what was just “Something” became “Earth”—that which finds joy in Creation.

This is the lesson of Laughter: that every particle of life, no matter how strange or small, is to be celebrated.

_oOo_

Earth then said unto Void, “Let us make a place for the Things so that they might live and mingle of their own wills.”

“It is a good thing you have devised,” replied Void, “We shall start immediately.”

And so the Two conspired to make a Great Thing like nothing yet seen in existence.  But almost immediately there arose a Problem.  For the Two could not agree with one another as to how their Great Thing should be fashioned.  Each “Yes” of Earth’s was met with a “No” of Void’s, and each “Yes” of Void’s was met with a “No” of Earth’s.  Where one wished Cold the other wished Hot.  Where one wished Soft the other wished Hard.  And no work was made on the Great Thing for neither Earth nor Void was the greater than the other and each had an equal say.

After yet another disagreement Void said unto Earth, “I grow tired of these disagreements!  Let us make a Third—a being neither Something nor Nothing—to decide with us, and so each argument may End, even if it is not in a way one of us would wish.”

And Earth saw wisdom in the words of Void, and so he agreed.

The Two both tore great Pieces from themselves and melded them together to fashion a Third.  They molded her with care beyond even the Things of Earth, and made her beautiful that all might see her and know her worth.  But as the Two worked they each whispered their Visions for the Great Thing to her in secret.  So as she formed, two Visions as wondrous as they were incompatible were placed in her head.  And she was forced to ponder even before she came to be.

At last the work on the Third was finished and the Two saw that she was good.  And so Earth and Void as one commanded her to be.

…But the Third remained lifeless.

Again the Two asked her to be.

…But the Third did not stir.

A third time they begged her to be.

…But the Third moved not.

And great was the despair of the Two for never before had there been a failure.

“Why?” they cried, “does the Third not wish to be?”

A voice like a whisper issued forth from the form of the Third.  “I do not wish to be,” the voice said, “because once I am I will be forced to choose between the Visions of my creators.  But I cannot do this thing for both Visions are beautiful beyond compare.” The voice was full of pain, as if even pondering this decision had hurt her, “Worse I fear that once I am, I will have a third Vision that I will like even more than the two Visions I have already, and then only add to the disagreements.”

And Earth and Void realized what they had done and they were ashamed.  They rushed to her side and hugged her dearly.

“We have made a grave error,” they said, “You should have been allowed to be your own self before we asked of you anything.”

“But what of your great visions?” The Third that not Yet Was asked, “Are they not precious to you?”

“Not as precious as you,” Earth said, “For a real companion is better than all the dreams in existence.”

“But what of my vision?” The Third asked again, “If I conceive a third version of the Great Thing then none of us will get our way.”

Earth looked at Void and Void considered before answering, “Then we shall discuss, and consider, and debate.  And once a decision is made it shall be even better than what we can conjure on our own—for this decision was made Together, three different minds, unique of themselves, forging a new Thing regardless of disagreements.”

And the Third came alive with a flash of light and embraced her Creators.  And she was called Fire for she was neither Something nor Nothing but sought to warm both.

This is the lesson of Loyalty: A Thing’s value comes not from their ability to agree, but from their ability to disagree.

_oOo_

And the making of the Great Thing began in earnest, with Fire casting many a deciding vote between the Three.  And Hot became hot, and Cold became cold and Up and Down and many other Things found their places in existence.  But even though the Three sought to use as many Things as they could, there were many who had no place in the Great Thing.  These they cast aside until maybe a use might be found of them.

But the Things set aside grew Lonely, for the rejection of their creator and his partners was most hurtful.  Not even the solace of being together could dissuade the Loneliness of the unused Things.  And so they had discourse to determine the best way to speak to their Creators…to let the hurt they felt be known and to ask for something to remove it.  Long was their discourse but no solution was found.  But none of the Things wished to end the Discourse for without it, there was only Loneliness—so the discourse turned into, argument with all voices talking merely to be heard and no ears listening for good ideas.

Among the Things, one of the smallest noticed she was being drowned out by the argument.  And she despaired for the argument had solved nothing and her Loneliness returned.  So she went away from the discourse and pondered.  But her despair weighed so heavily upon her that pondering could not be done.  So she looked around at the great swathes of Void that surrounded her and wept bitter tears that she should be Made, but feel despair.

In her desperation she began to take in the Void hoping to unmake herself by diluting herself with Nothing.  Thinner and thinner her being became, but the Despair was still present and heavy as ever.  So great was her despair that she was oblivious to her surroundings and only realized that she had started floating when she bumped the top of Aside.  She could now see the Opening to where her Creator was.

And the little Thing hoped.

Moving herself as best she could the little Thing floated out of Aside and into the Greater Void.

She sought her creator but could find him not.

She sought his creator as well but it answered her not.

Finally she sought any who would listen and she found Fire.

“What are you, little Thing?” Fire said.

“I have no Name, O Great Being,” said the little Thing.

“I am called Fire and you may call me likewise,” said Fire, “What is your Purpose, nameless Thing?”

“I have none, O Fire.”

“That cannot be, for if you had no Purpose you would not be here, you would be cast Aside.”

At this the Despair in the little Thing overwhelmed her and she cried out in Anguish, “But I am from Aside!  And having no purpose fills me with such despair I know not what to do!  In my desperation I attempted to unmake myself but instead found myself Here.”

And the heart of Fire was moved by the words of the little Thing.  She clutched the little Thing to her breast and hugged her dearly, “Do not Despair, little Thing,” Fire said, “we will find Earth—your Creator—and We shall ponder what to do with All the Things cast Aside.”

And faster than thought was word, word was deed.  Fire searched the whole of the Great Thing until she found Earth.

“We have a Problem” said Fire, and she showed the little Thing to Earth.

And Earth looked upon the little Thing and remembered her despite how she had changed.  He remembered the Joy of making her and he remembered his sadness when they cast her Aside.  And his heart too was moved, without the little Thing even saying a word.  He picked her up tenderly and held her to him saying “O My Little Thing, I have done you a Disservice.”  And he wept openly for the little Thing and all the Things still cast Aside.

The little Thing felt her despair vanish as she saw her Creator Weep for her, for she knew that he Remembered her and cared for her even if she had not seen it before now.  She hugged her creator back and wept as well, for now happiness replaced her despair.

“This cannot be allowed,” said Earth, “We must make something New, something better than just Aside for unused Things.”

“But what?” asked Fire, “We should not make a Second Great Thing before the first is completed, but without another place they have nowhere else to Be except Aside.”

Earth pondered this dilemma, and looked at the little Thing, “Perhaps not a Place, but a Being is needed.  One composed of all the unused Things so that they might help make the Great Thing even if they cannot be part of it.”

At this the little Thing cried out, “But all the Things cast Aside now argue amongst themselves, for without your presence, O Earth, all they have is loneliness.  Will they not also argue when made part of One Being?”

And Fire said, “The little thing is correct, O Earth, a being divided against itself will not function—I know this from experience.”

And Earth said, “Then we must appoint a Leader to oversee the Being—one that will give it direction when those within it wish to Argue.”

“There is wisdom in what you say,” said Fire, “Perhaps this little Thing might consent to be the Leader.”

“We think similar thoughts, O Fire,” he held the little Thing aloft, “What say you, little Thing?”

“No.”

And the Surprise of Earth and Fire was a Thing unprecedented, “Why not?” they asked as one.

“I do not wish to become merely a different version of Aside for things that will be Forgotten.” Said the little Thing, “I have suffered that fate once and would not wish it upon Anything else.  I would instead that All the Things cast Aside first be given Names, so that they can never be Forgotten and may be called upon should an opportunity for them arise.”

“But if we were to give All the Things cast Aside Names, would you then consent to Be like us?” Earth asked.

“I would,”

“Then come, let us away to Aside and begin the Naming of Things.”

And it came to pass just as Earth said, and the walls of Aside were torn down to be refashioned into a new Being.  And Earth and Fire and the little Thing went down and met with the arguers and Earth begged their forgiveness and told them their new Solution.  So the unnamed things lined up to be given Names before taking in Void and becoming like the little Thing.  And one by one Earth placed the Named Things within the body of the new being until there were but Nine nameless Things left.

But these Nine Things said unto Earth and Fire and the little Thing, “We have grown to like arguing and do not wish to Be a mere part of something.”

Upon hearing this, the Sadness and the Anger of Earth rumbled against the Nine Things, and likewise the Anger of Fire burned.  In their Anger they prepared to Unmake the Arguing Things.  But the littlest Thing stopped them.

“Do not destroy these Things!” said she, “For there may yet be a place for them.”

And though they were Angry, the Two saw that she spoke with Wisdom, “Very well,” they said, “But you must Name them yourself, for they have rejected us and our Names for them.”

The little Thing pondered, then said, “Their names are Greed, and Wrath, and Hatred, and Envy, and Lies, and Apathy, and Suspicion, and Betrayal, and Rapacity and Panic and they are the Nine Terrible Things.

Upon hearing their names, each of the Nine Terrible Things were thrown into the New Being as if by the force of a great blow and the seams of the New Being were sewn shut.  And the little Thing descended upon her new self and came to Be in a puff of smoke.

And Earth and Fire were sore with wonder at the Creation of the new being.  They charged her, from then on, to Name each and every Thing that they added to their work so that no aspect of it could ever be Forgotten.

And she was called Air for within her were the names of all things seen and unseen and all things yet to Be

This is the lesson of Kindness: All Things have a Name—even the ones we do not like—and to forget that is a disservice.

_oOo_

Void looked out over what had been made and saw that it was good.  But as it went about it espied Earth and Fire as well as the New Being, Air.  And great was his Astonishment for never had Void conceived such a creature, yet immediately did it know how necessary Air was.

Void said unto Earth, “What is this Being that you have made?”

And Earth said, “This is “Air.”  I have made her from a little Thing to hold all the Things that have been cast Aside so that they might not be Forgotten.”

“How wonderful it is to meet you, O Void,” said Air

And Void said, “It is likewise for me, Air.  Do you wish to help in the Great Thing?”

“Very much so…I have been given authority over Names that all Things would have one.”

“Then let us to work.”

And so the Four labored upon the Great Thing, and behold, progress was made at ever greater speeds.  But while Void labored in habitual silence, Earth felt the need to speak about anything and everything.  Fire and Air soon joined into the conversation, in awe of his cleverness and masculinity.  They told Jokes, sang Songs and made Merriment turning the making of the Great Thing into a joy all its own.  They tried to get Void to join in, but Void chose not to saying, “The work is enough.”

Eventually Void drifted away from the other Three stating their noise to be a distraction.  And so he worked on a different section of the Great Thing…where the laughter and joy of the others could barely be heard.  And this arrangement went on for some while.  But the Loneliness of Void returned, though it knew not why.  It decided to make an Other, the it did when it first felt lonely, only no great Idea came.  There was so much Other now that making something New was quite difficult.  But Void felt the desire to make something new so strongly that this did not matter, and so instead of Pondering, as it was wont, it instead chose to simply act.

Void broke off a piece of the Great Thing and began molding it into an Other that would surpass the Two that had chosen Earth over itself.  Void bent it and warped it like the making of glass and poured itself into the new Thing.  It made him beautiful like Fire, and gave him power like Air.  And long did Void labor over this new thing—long enough that his absence on the Great Thing was noticed by the Three and they stopped Work to seek Void out.

Finally the new Thing was completed and Void commanded it to Be.  The new thing awoke with a roar and said unto his creator, “What have you done?”

Void was shocked, for none had ever spoken to him this way, “Who are you to question me so?” it said.

“I am but what you have made me,” the new Thing spoke back, “A mockery of Fire’s beauty and a usurpation of Air’s authority.  Worse still I have no purpose other than to outshine Earth’s creativity.  Therefore I ask again: What Have You Done?”

And Void had no answer but the Truth, “I felt Lonely and so thought to make a New Thing to ease my Loneliness.”

“But what of the Others?” the new Thing said, “Earth, Fire and Air, would they not ease your Loneliness as well?”

“They might,” Void admitted, “But then they would ignore me and make merry without me, leaving me alone again.”

“But did they not invite you to join in their merriment many many times? No O Void, it is you who have chosen to be Lonely for you have become Jealous of Earth.  You wish Fire and Air would dote upon you the way they dote upon him and so have made me to replace them.  But I cannot dote upon any who would rend The Great Thing for so small a reason.  What power I have will not let me.”

It was at this moment that Earth Fire and Air found Void and the new Thing.  And behold, in Fire’s light the new Thing shone like a mirror and Void saw what it had become.  And Void became ashamed. “What have I done?” it said in anguish.

Immediately the Three rushed to Void and embraced it dearly.  And Void told the whole of what had conspired—even the parts it did not like.  It told of its Jealousy and Loneliness and how it broke off a piece of the Great Thing to make this new Thing.  It also told of how Sorry it was and wished to know what could be done to make it all Better.

But the Three hugged Void all the tighter saying, “We are Sorry as well, for had we but stopped our merrymaking for a moment we might have seen how Lonely you were.”

And all would have been Forgiven had not the new Thing spoken up, “Yes, you have been reconciled and that is Good.  But what of the damage to the Great Thing?  What of me?  Void’s actions have consequences beyond just itself and you Three.  How shall being Sorry fix those?”

After a moment of pondering, Earth spoke, “It cannot O Thing, but now that you are here, we are Five and surely Together we can rebuild what was lost even better than before.”

And the new thing was finally at loss for words, “But I am a mockery, and a sham, how can I make anything better?”

“But look upon yourself,” said Fire, “Despite why you were made, Void has made you wonderfully—you are no mockery.”

“And if we were to give you gifts, surely you would no longer be a sham,” said Air.

“All you need do is accept us for what we are, and surely we can accept you in kind,” said Void.

The new Thing pondered for a long long moment, “Very well,” he said at last, “I shall join you.”

And there was much rejoicing.

Earth gave the new Thing the ability to change shape so that he might be anywhere and everywhere he pleased.

Fire gave him dominion over decisions allowing him to settle Arguments like she once did.

And Air reached into herself and pulled out a Name and gave it unto him saying, “You are now Water: for though you are harsh and unyielding all the Things have need of you.”

And Water accepted all these gifts and joined the completion of the Great Thing.

This is the lesson of Honesty: No creation is perfect.  We can only accept the faults of others and hope they accept ours in kind.

_oOo_

And it came to pass that the Great Thing was completed; the Lands affixed in place between the Seas, the Mountains rising above the Plains, the harsh Tundra guarding the edges, stopping anything from spilling over.  The Five took up the Great Thing, one at each of the four corners and one at the center, and set it in its place in the aether.  All the little things of Earth spread throughout, finding places for themselves.  The systems of life fell into place and for a time all was well.

For too long a time actually.

Void looked out over the Great Thing and saw that it had fallen stagnant.  All the things which walked upon it lived much the same way as they always had.  There was no change, no zeal, and no true life.

Void pondered over this predicament and eventually conceived an Idea.

It gathered the Others and said unto them, “The Great Thing is indeed wonderful, but it has grown stagnant.  Let us make a new Kind of thing, one greater than the rest, that we might watch it live and grow and tell stories amongst itself.  Surely, that would remove the stagnation.

“It is a good thing you have devised.” They agreed.

“Let us each make plans and and come back with them that we might select the best possible thing for our storytelling.” Said Earth.

And off each went, full of ideas to make the greatest thing possible without stopping to ponder if Earth’s idea was wise.

Fire was the first to complete her Kind.  She wished to tell stories of loyalty and dominion and made the grandest most beautiful thing she could.  They could soar through the heavens or burrow beneath the ground, or even swim in the seas.  Their scales were sharp and from their mouths blossomed fire and smoke—so that with each breath they would speak of their creator.  They would fight for glory and honor and devote themselves to great causes even if those causes were ultimately selfish.  She called them “Dragons” saying, “None shall be their equal.”

She selected the grandest most impressive dragon to bring to the meeting.  And he was called “Grand-father” for all dragons since have been descended from him.

Earth was the second to complete his kind.  He wished to tell stories of laughter and passion and so he made a race that was an amalgam of other things that already existed.  He mixed and matched the best parts of each to create something more.  He blessed them with cunning minds and sharp claws and imbued in them a desire for character so great that the Face they showed to the world was all that mattered.  They were infinite in form and function but all were one family in the end.  He called them “Griffons” saying “Many tales shall be told with you.”

He crafted but one to take to the meeting, one composed of the grandest animals that lived: the eagle, the lion, the snake, and the ox.  This first griffon was called “Rock” for many jokes were hidden in this name and most of the griffons today look something like him.

It was Air who finished her Kind next.  She wished to tell stories of kindness and protection and so she did not so much make a race but exalt things that already were.  She made animals that spoke and animals that did not speak but could be understood.  She also made plants that could move about and care for the plants that could not, and beasts made of stars and rocks and water and winds and anything that did not have a voice all its own.  She charged them to watch over the Great Thing and see that no section was neglected.

To the meeting she brought three things: A rabbit that could speak, a wolf of wood that could not speak but with its pack could oversee a forest, and a bear made of stars and firmament to show the wonders of the night sky in the daylight.  The bear she called “Ursa” the wolf she called “Ent” and the rabbit she called “Servant.”  She had no one name for all of them but said, “The Great Thing will be ever adored now.”

Water was the forth to finish his Kind, for he had not contributed as much to the great thing and knew this was his last chance to add something significant.  He wished to tell stories of honesty and discovery and so created a race that would be unquenchable in its desire for knowledge.  He made them tall and pink with clever digits and cleverer minds so that they would devise new ways to use anything they came across.  He gave them a gift for language and tools and told them the world was theirs for study.

To the meeting he brought but two, a male and a female.  The male he called “Red Clay” and the female he called “Rain” and he named the species “Human” saying “This place is yours for the taking.”

Void was the last to finish its Kind.  It did not know what sort of stories it wished to tell, only that they should include as many things as possible, so its Kind was an amalgam of many Things, but uniform and singular in purpose.  They were like insects that lived in hives with strict castes, but blessed with the power to change form, to be whatever they wished.  It gave them a hunger for affection that they might spread and do things worthy of that affection.

To the meeting, Void brought an entire hive, thousands of workers, several hundred drone-commanders and one great queen Void had named “Cicada”.  And it called them “Changelings” saying, “Surely they will all love you.”

And so it came to pass that the Five Beings met, each bringing their Kind for inspection and each hoping theirs’ would triumph over the Others’. But none gave a single thought to what the others had brought..  They presented each in turn, speaking at length of the virtues of their own Kind.  But their words went unheeded, for each mind was made up and no amount of words, however poetic, would change them at this point.

When the time came for the Decision to be made, the Five each cast their lot for their own creation…and was shocked and dismayed to discover that none of the others agreed with them.  They discoursed amongst themselves, but not one opinion was swayed.  And so discourse became argument, argument became shouting, and shouting finally gave way to violence.

It does not matter who delivered the First Blow, nor does it matter who received it.  What matters is that the First Blow shattered the relationship of hugs and discussion between the Five and left only jagged shards and hurt feelings.  That first blow was followed by a second, and a third, and so on until the Five fought each other at full strength; biting and tearing at each other—flinging Pieces to and fro in blind attempts to diminish each other until only One would be strong enough to have its way.

In that horrible frantic eternity of violence the Nine Terrible Things escaped their bonds and stole out a gash in Air’s side.  They saw the Great Thing unwatched, and the myriad Pieces left about by the Five.

“Let us take on the fallen shreds of our once masters,” they said, “and use their power to unmake the Great Thing which they would deny us.”

And only this once did all the Nine agree to a single thought and all of existence has been poorer for it.

The Nine Terrible Things swirled about themselves gathering the fallen pieces of their Creators in the wake of their motion.  Faster and faster they circled, and more and more pieces fell under their sway, until they were big enough to grind the Great Thing to Ash in their maelstrom.

“WE ARE CHAOS.” They said, “AND YOUR CREATION SHALL NOT ABIDE US.”

That which was Chaos descended upon the Great Thing like a tornado, and began devouring what was made in its multitude of teeth.  The beasts of the field and the plants of the soil could do naught but flee or watch in horror.  And none could ponder a solution for all that could were too busy fighting.

All save the Five First Kinds that is…

“Behold,” said Red Clay of Water, “Our reward goes away before any may claim it.”

“Indeed,” said the Rock of Earth, “It would be humorous if was not so sickening.”

“What may be done then?” said Cicada of Void, “Might we few stand against the Maelstrom of Chaos?”

“Nay,” said Rain of Water, “the Maelstrom would tear as asunder just as easily as it has everything else.”

“Well something must be done,” said Great-Father of Fire.

“What of our Creators?” said Servant of Air, “Surely they in all their Might could stop the Chaos.”

Red Clay shook his head, “Perhaps, but first their fight must be stopped.  And that fight is such that I cannot tell it apart from the Chaos.”

Cicada despaired, “We would be unmade either way.”

And all were silent for there was nothing to be said.

“Then LET us be unmade.” Great-Father spat, “Better that we perish and save the Great Thing, than stand here and watch both it and our Creators be destroyed.”

“It is true what you say,” the First Kinds said, “let us End the fight even though it may End us.”

And faster than thought was word, word was deed.  The Kinds travelled to their creators, those without wings carried by those with, and threw themselves into the middle of the fray.

“STOP!” They cried as one.

And the Five, shocked to be spoken to so, stopped.

“Look at yourselves,” said Red Clay.

“What you have become,” said Cicada.

“Were you not the staunchest of allies and most brilliant of creators?” said Great-Father.

“Now, you are no better than the Nine Terrible Things.” Said Servant.

“Who even now lay waste to your Greatest Work whilst you squabble here uncaring.” Rock said.

“WHAT HAS BECOME OF YOU?” They asked.

And the five were silent for nothing could be said.

Finally Earth spoke, “I have no words, for my conduct cannot be justified.  I wished to elevate my Griffons above the kinds of the others, and so sure was I in this desire that descended to this state.  I can only say how Sorry I am, and hope that you might Forgive me.”

And each said much the same, offering sorrow for their actions and begging forgiveness.

But the hurt was too great and the violence too fresh for any forgiveness to be had.

“Let us deal with the Nine Terrible Things first,” Fire said, “Then we shall return and sort this out properly.”

The Five agreed and prepared to once again do battle, this time with something that deserved it.

One by one, each threw themselves at the Maelstrom that was Chaos, but Chaos had grown too great and one by one each were tossed back more battered and broken than before.  And Chaos rejoiced for its victory was at hand.  And the Five knew Despair for they saw no way to fix what they had wrought.

Slowly they gathered about themselves to console one another in this time of grief.

“What can be done?” Air asked, “The Chaos is too great for us to handle.”

“Might we make another?” Water said, “To vanquish this Chaos for us?”

“No,” said Void, “We have created this Chaos, we must fix it as well.”

“But how?” asked Fire, “We are too broken and hurt to stand against it as we are.  We will not recover before Chaos has undone our Great Thing entirely.”

Then Earth got an idea, “Separately yes…but, if we recover together, really together, we might heal fast enough to save our Great Thing.”

The Five looked at each other, “What do you mean, O Earth?”

“One moment,” he said, and turned to the First Kinds, “Hear me O Kinds…I have an Idea where you must play a part.  I do not know if it will succeed but if it does we WILL find a place for ALL of you within our Great Thing.  No contests, no wars, just rewards.  I cannot command you to do this for the disservice we have done you weighs heavy on me.  But I must ask for without your aide I cannot see victory.”

The Kinds were gladdened by what they heard, “What do you ask, O Earth?” they said.

“You must stall and weaken the Chaos whilst I and the Others recover. Do not strike at it directly but hinder and wheedle so that the Great Thing is not Destroyed.  It is a horrid thing to ask, especially with the risk of Unmaking very very close.  But…”

“We understand O Earth, and we shall do as you ask.” They said.

And Earth and his companions hugged them dearly, and with many blessings sent them off to war with Chaos.  Great was the Valor of the First of the Kinds in their battle with Chaos, but such deeds of arms are not for this time.

“Now then,” said Earth, “With the young ones out of the way, let us “recover”.”

“You have yet to explain this portion of your plan, O Earth,” Fire said.

Earth’s response was to kiss Fire with all the vivacity he had within him.  The First Kiss, which Fire returned with such burning sweetness that a piece of Earth left lying forgotten rejoined the whole to experience it.

“If our warring created this Problem,” Earth said when he could speak again, “Then perhaps our loving might heal it.”

And Fire, shocked at Earth’s audacity, understood what he was planning and agreed with him.

“Come,” said Earth, “Let us partake in love and forgiveness until we are so full of it that Chaos cannot stop us again.”

And one by one he kissed Air and Water and Void in the same way he kissed Fire, and one by one they understood.  And agreed.

The kisses were returned and multiplied amongst the Five, the hugs became caresses and the caresses became grasps.  They did not pair off or partner but fell upon one another in a Great Congress of Love and Forgiveness.  And Awesome was the power this Congress generated, scourging broken feelings and shattered jagged edges back to wholeness and life.  So wondrous was this power that All the Things with eyes to see and ears to hear have striven to emulate its beauty from that day forward.

Slowly the tattered Pieces began to return to the Five—gathered up from the forgotten spaces or even breaking away from the Maelstrom of Chaos to be part of the First Congress. Some found the Being that they came from, some merely latched onto the first they could reach.  And out of this comingling of Essence did many great and wonderous Things come into being.

The most wondrous of these was the first.  Born it was at the height of the Congress when all that could be conceived was Love and Forgiveness.  In a flash of Light so bright and pure that Chaos itself faltered upon its axis, a Sixth Being was Born.  “I am Harmony,” it declared, “And I would join you if I may.”

“YES!” They cried as one, and where there were Five, now there were Six.

Chaos—distracted and battered by the Five First Kinds—turned its gaze away from the Great thing at the flash of light, and it knew confusion for there was no Thing like Harmony in the whole of existence.  The Nine Terrible Things trembled for they knew not if they could withstand all Six of the Great Beings, especially now grown strong and hale on whatever it was they were doing together.  With a howl they set upon the six hoping to defeat them one at a time as they had before.

But this time the Six were not separate, they were Together.  And this time when the Nine and the Six did battle, it was the Nine who were driven back.

But it was not enough to defeat the Maelstrom entirely.

“Quickly!” said Harmony, “Take up the Corners of the Great Thing!  If the Nine Terrible Things wish to be a part of it so badly, let us grant them their wish and smother them in it!”

The six raced for the Great Thing and heaved it off its place in existence, four at the corners and one in the center.  They hoisted it over that which was Chaos and wrapped it like a child in a blanket.  The six met each other with corners met and Harmony held the seams fast.

“Each of you!” It said, “Spread about the Great Thing and help me hold the Maelstrom down!”

The Five raced to heed the new Being.  Void went to the opposite end from the seam and Earth, Fire, Air and Water pressed in at points equidistant from the others.  At these six points they pressed into the Great Thing, forcing it into the shape of a sphere and giving Chaos no place to escape.

Slowly the maelstrom stopped spinning, and the pieces within affixed themselves to the Great Thing’s underside.  And deep within the Nine Terrible Things remained, trapped by that which they sought to destroy—ever arguing, never learning.  And so it was the Maelstrom that was Chaos became Tartarus: the Place for Terrible Things.

And thus Six coming together in Love and Forgiveness overcame Nine of Chaos and Destruction.

This is the Lesson of Harmony: Friendship is Magic

_oOo_

Epilogue

To say everything was well after all of this is untrue.  The Great Thing had been changed irrevocably and much of existence had to be altered to handle that change.  What was four directions and a center became six poles on three axis’s.  The prison of Chaos would need proper guardians, and space had to be found for all of the Five First Kinds, so that they might live and grow without treading upon each other’s feet.  But, in their new found Friendship (a word of Harmony’s devising) the Six Great Beings slowly began making those changes to the benefit of all.

It was Harmony who proved the most apt at hammering out the treatises and compromises in the Rules of the Great Thing that allowed it to keep functioning.  And the other Five wished to bless Harmony for its contributions.

They said unto Harmony, “How might we bless you for helping us with our Great Thing?”

And Harmony said, “I am happy to be here with you all and want nothing.  However, I have seen you all go off to the ends of the Great Thing to watch and listen to your Kinds as they grow and tell stories.  And while I love all of you dearly, it would be nice to have a Kind of my own that I might hear its stories as well.”

The Five spoke amongst themselves, “We see no reason to deny you this, go and make your kind and show us when you are finished.”

“Wait,” Harmony said, “It is no good to labor alone when you are here with me.  Let us make a kind together so that it can be the Best Kind Possible.”

The Five pondered but a moment, “It is a good thing you have decided.  Come, let use make the Best Kind Possible.”

And so the work began.

Air selected a beast from her menagerie to be the model—the finest and most magnificent she had.

Void altered the design so that all creatures would call them beautiful.

Earth painted them a myriad of colors so that even though they might look the same each would be unique and special.

Water fashioned them clever brains; that they might learn all the Great Thing might offer and discern right from wrong.

Fire bestowed upon them stalwart hearts that once they knew what was right they would hold fast no matter the troubles.

And Harmony gave them something special; a spark of the Love and Forgiveness of the Great Congress to glow brightly within their souls.  It commanded them to tend to this spark, to pass it between themselves and to the other Kinds like light from candle to candle, and to seek out every way that it might grow without causing harm.  They were to be like their Creators, even if only just a little bit.

And the Six Elements of Life called them “Ponies” saying “These little ones shall be the Glory of Harmony.”

End of Book 1