Chapters The Keepers Legend (unedited)
It is believed that the Elements of Harmony are the new generation of the Life Elements. Celestia and Luna think that as time goes on new problems arise and elements are formed. The Keepers Elements were formed becuase the balance of reality and life were at stake and the Elements of Harmony were formed because the power of friendship was fading and the main six are meant to spread friendship across Equestria.
The Keepers Legend (unedited)
Chapter 3: The Keepers Origin
No one truly knows when, where, why, or how the keepers came to be or who their parents were. Perhaps only Princess Luna or Princess Celestia could answer that but it is possible that even they have forgotten. There are no known records of the beginning of the keepers or how they came to be but there are many different legends and theories around the subject but not many ponies know of them. There is every possibility that no one will ever know, unless records are uncovered or books are found, to tell us. One theory is that there was a prophecy that stated there would be eight children, eight children that would lead the world out of darkness but only in its darkest day. The legend says that these eight foals would be revealed when their cutie marks were gained. They would become the guardians of the elements that controlled the world. All eight foals gained their cutie marks at the same time and when their parent saw what they were they knew that their children would lead the ponies of the early ages into the light, into order and balance and out of the chaos and imbalance of Discords rule. The leaders of Equestria knew they could never kill Discord so instead they used the magic of the eight ponies and locked him in a prison of eternal stone. there Discord would be trapped for centuries until he found a way to brake free (and I believe we all know that story) so after centuries of balance and order there was another battle but everything was destroyed even the records of what happened. All that is left of the last great war of death is the memories of the keepers and the title, The War that Never Happened. I once interviewed a young stallion with hair that was all sticky uppy, he called himself the Doctor (which is a strange name if you ask me) who was from Gallopfrey (I'm pretty sure that's what he said), he claimed that he knew what happened in that war but when I asked him if he could tell me about it all he said was “Wibbley Wobbley, Timey Wimey Stuff”. What that really means I may never know but to me personally I think he meant that time was altered or something like that, or maybe he’s just crazy. That Doctor character is awfully strange.
The ponies of Equestria have long forgotten the keepers, including where they went. According to a secret book (the only book in Equestria with any information on this subject), that I have uncovered from the library of the sisters old castle, there was a war. It was a war between the ponies of Equestria and an unknown species. The enemies power was so great that the elements had to combine their power to defeat this evil force. In the book it speaks of a young stallion, a mystery pony that no one knew they say he appeared out of nowhere in a blue box. The book says that he ended it, the war, he fixed everything. Some legends say that he was a ninth keeper or the leader of the keepers. Unfortunately I don't think we will ever know, no one has seen that pony since the end of the war, some think that he died along with it. You see what I don’t understand is that the book says that everything was destroyed in that war and I mean everything but yet it also says that this mystery pony with the blue box fixed everything now how could that be possible if everything was gone? I have researched this was for years trying to uncover its secrets. In my research I noticed something weird…. THERE WAS NO HISTORY!!! in all of Equestria there was/is only this one book and even it has limited and somewhat unhelpful information. I have asked ponies all around Equestria if they know anything about this war but not a single one knew. That is why I believe that time was altered, because it is the only thing that makes sense. If time was altered then that would be why no pony knows about it or remembers it. it would also explain why the only book about it is in the princess’ old castle. I’m not sure how but I know that it all has to do with this mystery stallion with the blue box.
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The Keepers Legend (unedited)
Chapter 4: The Aftermath of the Mysterious War
After that war, the elements disappeared, for what reason no one knows. There is one theory that a historian wrote down. He thought that the elemental keepers knew they may perish in the battle so they gave their powers and left instructions for the citizens of Equestria of how to live (which is where winter wrap up and all of those sort of magical ways of doing things have come from) so that if it did come to be that they die then Equestria would still move on without them. It is believed that if the keepers survived then it is likely that they slowly regained their powers and responsibility over the elements but left some responsibilities to the ponies of Equestria who seemed to have been doing things okay for themselves. The only known keepers that are still alive are the sisters. There are few, so called, sightings of the other keepers, that are believed to be alive, but some ponies of the cities near the Everfree forest (like Ponyville) claim to have seen a mysterious but beautiful mare walking among the dark trees and guiding lost ponies back home again, like an angel. I once talked to a strange pony named Zecora who happened to live in the Everfree forest who told me that she could hear songs at night and sometimes saw a figure walking away through the morning fog. I, being a historian, truly believe that the figure Zecora described is the lovely Princess Fauna.
The Keepers Legend (unedited)
Chapter 5: Keepers Descendants
It is believed that the keepers did have children. Princess Celestia herself believes that there is a reason the main six became the elements of harmony: because they are the descendants of the keepers.
Princess Fauna is the ancestor of the element kindness, Fluttershy.
Prince Typhoon rage (the keeper of wind) is the ancestor of the element of loyalty, Rainbow Dash.
Princess Ember, the element of fire, is the ancestor of the element of honesty, Applejack.
StarSwirl the bearded (the keeper of magic) is the ancestor of the element of magic, Twilight Sparkle.
Princess Oceana, the keeper of the element water, is the ancestor of the element of generousity, Rarity.
Prince Felix, the element of emotion, is the ancestor of the element laughter, Pinkie Pie.
Celestia and Luna never had children so they stayed the gaurdians of the sun and the moon, but who knows maybe love will find them someday.
It has not been completely confirmed but princess Celestia believes it to be the true reason why the main six became the elements if harmony.
The Keepers Legend (unedited)
Chapter 6: Elemental Abilities
The day has finally come! I have been begging Princess Celestia and Princess Luna for ages to give me an interview with them about the keepers because they are the only ones who truly knows about the lives of the keepers and where they came from. I told them that if we don't write this down then the keepers will be forever forgotten. Today I got a message from Celestia saying that she agreed to talk to me about them. I leaped with joy when I read it! The day I have been waiting for finally came.
When I went to interview Celestia she told me that the reason she never talked to me was because it hurt to much. She said that the keepers were her good friends practically family to her and now she has not seen them in hundreds of years. Then she started to tell me about how she thought long and hard about what I said and that she she came to the conclusion that I was right. She said that she wouldn't live forever and that if she did die without writing down what she knew then the keepers would be forgotten and that is not something she wanted to happen. After talking to her everything she said was amazing, the things they did, the power they had, the people they saved, it was so beautiful. I also spoke with Princess Luna and it was amazing all the stories and adventures they had together. The most wonderful thing that they told me was that they knew that all the keepers were alive and that they just didn't know where they were. I have decided that I, Sand Digger the archaeologist unicorn, will find the keepers. That will be my mission, I am going to search the world for the keepers!
Each keeper has their own set of power that goes with their element. Each of them has both beautiful, helpful power and dangerous, defensive power.
Fauna:
The princess of nature brings life and beauty to the world. She grows the plants, heals the sick, helps the hurt. But with every good power there is an equal set of defensive power. She can morph into any type of animal or plant to either attack or blend in. Fauna can rapidly grow vines and poisonous plants to aid her in battle. She can grow thistles and thickets to block her opponents. Fauna's specialty is in mass kills, meaning she can take out her enemies in a larger amount but takes more time.
Ember:
Ember brings much beauty and importance to the world, although she does not believe so. In her eyes fire brings nothing to the world but destruction and harm. Her defensive powers are quite more magnificent and glamorous than the others but not at all more powerful. She can ignite her entire body without wounding herself in any way, her coat turns deep deep charcoal black when she does this. She can make flames appear at will, often in a whip form. She controls them in such a way that none can survive her fiery wrath. Ember's specialty is in mass damage, which means that she can quickly do large amount of damage but on fewer targets.
Oceana:
The lovely Oceana brings the rain and the waves, the snow and the ice, the dew in the morning. Her battle forms are much more sudden like the incoming tide the swoops away the unsuspecting. She can summon the waves of her oceans to overcome any opponent. She can hail blizzards upon her enemies and freeze them to solid ice. She can, similarly to Ember, morph her whole boby into water and move quickly like a wave. Oceana's specialty is in targeted destruction which means that she can take down one target at a time but with much ease.
Typhoon:
The charming prince of air brings the spring breezes and the winter winds that blow the snow into blizzards. He can morph into any form of gas and choke out his enemies. Typhoon, similarly to Ember, specializes in mass damage but in larger amount of targets. He can summon the tornadoes and the winds to swallow up his enemies.
Felix:
The strong and very brave Felix brings joy and love but also sorrow and sadness. In battle he can manipulate the emotions of his enemies including making them calm, sad, angry, suicidal, crazy, or anything that might help him in a difficult situation. This power does not destroy an enemy on its own but it sure is helpful to defeat an enemy if they are depressed or to upset to fight. Felix specializes in one on one attack but quickly does a lot of damage.
Celestia:
Our dear Princess Celestia brings the beautiful daylight and the warm sunshine every morning. She can take a defensive form of shear light. Her powers include shooting spears made from the purest light that are so bright it can blind her enemies and so sharp they can slice a whole pony in half with one swift motion. Celestia can shoot beams of sunlight at a target which can also seriously injure a enemy with out the mess ;)
Luna:
the misunderstood Luna has great power, she brings the lovely night and the beautiful stars, she brings the dreams and abolishes the nightmares. Her powers are similar to Celestia, She can shoot swords of pure starlight and can summon the shadows to aid her in battle. She can put a victim in a comatose state where they endure their worst nightmare. She, like Celestia, can Shoot beams of starlight. Luna Specializes in illusion and targeted destruction, she ticks her enemies into her deadly trap.
Hex/Star Swirl:
Star Swirls responsibilities are to create and discover spells for the mortal unicorns of Equestria to use for their special talents and jobs. Because he is the element of magic, Felix does not have a specific power. Instead of any specific abilities he has limited power of everything.
The Keepers Legend (unedited)
Chapter 8: Up Close and Personal
After interviewing Celestia and Luna AND Discord I learned a lot about the ponies that the keepers were not just the roles they played but who they were before and after they became the guardians of Nature.
Princess Fauna:
There is one keeper though who has not gone far away over the ages. She lives close to civilization but far enough away so not to be bothered. She lives alone with the earth watching over her land and guarding the balance of her element, Nature. She watches over creatures, plants and life itself. She uses her magic to restore the ecosystems and beauty of any lost or damaged habitat. She heals the wounded and the sick but only in dire circumstances for that power can easily be abused.
As for her looks, she has a medium brown coat, (not too light and not too dark) like the soil beneath the grasses, with a dark and light green mane and tail that flows like the leaves of a willow tree waving in the wind. The feathers of her wings are softer than the petals of a rose, her horn, when lit with magic, admits a bright light more beautiful than a summer sunset, her dark forest green eyes sparkle like the stars in the dark night sky, her voice is soft like the songs of the angels. Just her look is so majestic and beautiful. Her cutie mark is unknown for it was never taken record of what it truly looks like. Some say it's a vine wrapped around a heart, some say it's a rose, some say it is a willow tree and some say it's the very essence of life but know one can really explain what that means.
Princess Fauna is the element of life itself. She cares and loves it she heals and protects it. She is one of the kindest and wisest mares in Equestria but she still knows when she has to be harsh (it takes quite a lot to make her angry but trust me you don't want to be in her way when she is). In the old days ponies used to go to her for guidance and help. She would offer her wisdom and power to anypony but within reason.
in the old days, the really old days, the keepers were worshiped by mortal ponies as gods, as their protectors, but now they are seen as leaders and princess', as royalty. Princess Fauna is princess over the land and the living, over the flowers and the animals, over the trees and the ponies. She cares for them from afar. Princess Fauna, like the well known zebra Zecora, lives in the Everfree forest. Deep into the forest, further than anypony has gone before, do far that you don't even know what direction to go back you'll find a relatively large patch where the mother of nature lives. Her castle is made of intertwined trees all twisted and tangled into the most unique building. Outside of it, there is a garden. It's the most wonderful garden you could ever imagine. In it there are amazing flowers and trees from the dawn of time, animals that have been extinct for ages, things that have never been seen before all kept inside of her small world in the middle of nowhere.
Willow Whisper is believed to be princess Faunas modern form. She often takes this form and lives among regular ponies (believed to be in ponyville). Some historians think that she does this out of loneliness. Her cutie mark is a green vine wrapped around a blue heart. Ponies have most likely seen her around not knowing who she really is.
After interviewing the princesses I learned a lot more about the keepers that I probably never would have found out if Celestia hadn't granted me the gift of her knowledge and memories and I thank her dearly for it. The princesses told me everything they knew about their long lost friends, including their lives.
Princess Fauna was the first that they told me about. Princess Fauna was the daughter of two perfectly normal parents. She grew up in a very large family of eight. Her parents and her five other siblings: two sisters and three brothers. She grew up like a normal little filly with her family so normal that she often found herself constantly longing for adventure. The young Fauna would wonder off into the woods in search for a surprise. One day she didn't want to go on her regular path, she wanted something new and before she knew it she found herself standing right outside the boundaries of the Everfree forest. She stood there staring into the darkness until finally she took one big step forward and suddenly she found herself in a whole new world waiting for her to explore! she wandered the forest for what seemed like an eternity eventually she was so deep into the woods there she didn't know where she was or where to go. I'm not sure that it is completely true but according to Princess Celestia, Princess Fauna just sat there in the darkness all by herself and eventually started to cry. She didn't know what to do or where to go she was all alone until..... the trees began to speak to her (again I'm not entirely sure this is true but it is what Celestia told me) they told her where to go, they guided her home again. Celestia told me that even she didn't believe Fauna and almost convinced Fauna that she was crazy until eventually she couldn't help herself she had to go back. She didn't wander as far into the forest as she had before but just far enough to be alone. Once she was alone Fauna began to speak to the trees she would ask them questions and when they started to speak back to her she realized, she realized that that was what she was meant to do, her destiny was to guide the plants and the animals. At that moment her cutie mark was gained and her wings appeared! Fauna ran back to Celestia and and showed her and when she got there she saw that Celestia had gotten her wings and cutie mark too. She always did love animals and plants, it was one of her most beloved hobbies. Her mom used to tell her that Fauna was destined for great things. Fauna held on to those words for the rest of her life and when she became the keeper of nature she knew her mother was right. As she grew older she became one of the wisest mares in the world. Because Celestia shares this sort of personality and responsibility they (like Luna and Ember) were always very close friends. Oceana was very much friends with them too but Celestia and Fauna had a friendship like no other. They did everything together as fillies. Fauna first met Celestia at a stargazing festival when they were young. Fauna loved to see the stars even though she like the ground better and Celestia was mainly there because Luna wanted to go. They ran into each other and started to chat and almost instantly they were friends.
Princess Oceana:
The keeper of the element of water is Princess Oceana. Princess Oceana is a very elegant soul. She is very neat and clean and is always very proper. She always looks her best and acts like real royalty. Her hair flows in different shades of blue like the incoming waves on the sand, slow and rippling. Her coat is a glowing white and is always as clean and clear as it can be. Her eyes shine like deep blue sapphires. She is truly the most beautiful and elegant of all the keepers which made flirting a common thing with her. Oceana always dreamed of finding the perfect stallion. She didn’t want somepony who only loved her for her looks she wanted somepony who loved her for her. So while stallions would come and flirt at her all the time she just ignored them waiting for one who could prove that he loved her for her. Although she can be a tad bit snooty at times she is very kind and very generous. Princess Oceana loves her rivers and her oceans but she loves the rain the most. To her the rain is the most beautiful and peaceful especially the hours after a lite rain when the dew still clings to the grass and there is a light fog in the air.
Oceana was an only child. She grew up with two lovely parents in a relatively wealthy family. Oceana loved the water, she loved its beauty and its elegance, she loved everything about it, she would swim in the lakes all the time and loved to play in the rain. One day it was perfectly raining outside, not to harsh but not to light, so Oceana went out to play as she always did. After playing in the rain for a little while it began to rain harsher and harsher. The clouds began to thunder and the rain began pounding the ground. Oceana's mother called her inside but when she saw Oceana sitting outside she couldn't believe her eyes. Oceana sat out in the storm on the ground curled up and scared but not a single drop of water touched her. Every drop of water fell around her as if she were inside of a bubble. When Oceana looked up and uncurled herself she realized that water was her essence and that it was who she was. At that moment her cutie mark and her wings appeared! her mothers eyes grew wide and she yelled for Oceana to come inside at once. Oceana rushed to her mother immediately. Oceana's mother went in another room and came out with a scroll. She opened the scroll and briefly looked at it, when she was finished, she looked at Oceana and then suddenly kept telling Oceana that they had to go to the castle to speak with the king and queen (Celestia and Luna's parents). When they both got to the castle they rushed in through the great doors of the castle and saw seven other foals gathered around. Oceana was gently nudged by her mother to walk forward. She walked forward in front of the king and queens thrones and sat there a little frightened. The queen looked at her with kind eyes and said "the element of water". Oceana, still a little scared, looked at her cutie mark and then back at the queen as she said "you are very gifted, Oceana. You are now the guardian of water. Your power will guide the waves and bring the rain, you will wash away the worries of those around you." Ocean looked up at the queen and asked "what does that mean?" then the king replied for her "you will control and guide the oceans and the rain and the rivers".
Princess Ember:
Princess Ember is the keeper of fire. She is a very unique mare, she has a bit of a temper and prefers loneliness over a crowd. Some say it is because of something she did once when she was young. Although she prefers to be alone and can be quite scary when angered but is more loving than most may think (when you’re on her good side). She appreciates things more than others. There is one very sad legend around her that says when she was young she fell in love with a young Stallion who always treated her like a real princess. They loved each other so much, she adored him and loved him with all her heart but Ember was young and she could not completely control her powers or her slight temper. One day they got in a fight, over what? no one really knows. Princess Ember couldn’t control herself she lashed out and before she knew what happened her true love was gone. She tried to save him but his burns were too horrible so all she could do was sit beside him and weep. After that she went into hiding, ponies say that she doesn’t prefer loneliness, she chooses it because she couldn’t stand the thought of ever hurting someone again. Ember has always been a bit of an outcast, she always felt like her element was more of a curse than a gift. To her, all the other elements brought life and love and beauty and happiness but all that fire brought was death and destruction. Because this feeling was similar to our beloved Princess Luna they shared a good friendship together. Princess Luna was one of the very few ponies that Ember would talk to. Other than meetings with the other keepers, Princess Ember rarely saw any other pony.
Princess Ember is by far one of the most unique and interesting keepers because of her sad background. as for her looks, she is also quite beautiful but I don’t think she ever realized it. Her Hair is literally made of fire it burns in bright yellow, orange and red. Her coat is a blazing blue like the blue stars scattered in the universe. Her eyes are also very interesting, both are a almost coal black but with a hint of red.
Celestia never really knew much about Ember because she rarely saw her but Luna on the other hand was very close to Ember so I went to talk to her as well.
Princess Ember was an orphaned pegasus ever since she was a filly. No one, even the Princesses, know who her real parents were or what happened to them. She was always a very sad and lonely pony and never really enjoyed the company of others mainly because none of them truly understood her. Luna believed that because of Embers loneliness she gained a bit of a temper and started to push everypony away. She spent most of her life alone until one day when it was break time at the orphanage that she lived at she wandered off and ran away. She never looked back and she never wanted to. Eventually a very kind mare named Mrs. Sugar Berry found her sitting alone under a bridge to get out of the rain. When Sugar Berry saw her she immediately went up to Ember and said "are you ok? why are you sitting out here all alone?" and then Ember replied that she was alone and that she would always be alone. Sugar Berry asked her if she wanted to come home with her just to get out of the cold. Sugar Berry eventually adopted Ember as her own daughter. Ember loved Sugar Berry with all her heart she looked up to her in every way. One evening Ember and Sugar Berry ran away to hide (for this was during the mysterious war) they packed a few things left town and found a cave somewhere far away. They hid there for days, they made a fire and Embers new found mother would comfort the frightened filly by telling her stories. Once, when Sugar Berry had went out to pick berries (she always knew which ones were ok to eat) Ember was sitting by their fire staring at the flames. After quite a while of just staring Ember felt almost connected to it as though she could feel it movement. She was young and didn't entirely understand the concept of being burned so slowly she put her hoof towards the fire but as she did she felt no change in her warmth so she moved closer and closer and closer until her hoof was literally in the fire but what she couldn't see was that the fire wasn't even warm to her. At that moment she realized that was her destiny! When Sugar Berry returned to the cave she found Ember sitting in the fire with a new horn and a new cutie mark! and she immediately knew that Ember was apart of the prophecy (at that time all the ponies in Equestria knew about the prophecy of the eight foals for it was their only hope at the time). Sugar Berry died of old age long after Ember became a Keeper.
Prince Felix:
Prince Felix is the element of emotion. Felix controls the emotions of mortal ponies which is not a power that should be misused. which is why he is a very serious stallion and does not like to be messed with. He is passionate and kind but does not often show it. His responsibilities are to guide the relationships and feelings of ponies. He brings together soul mates, tears apart relationships that aren't meant to be and leads the feelings and emotions of ponies. He does not control the actions of ponies but only the emotions of the relationship. Felix is large and hardy and is not one you should mess with because he can be dangerous if angered. He is very handsome and brave. His honor is what drives him and many ponies respect that about him. He doesn't care much for mares or for flirting (unlike Typhoon) mainly because his heart is set on Fauna. He absolutely adores her and all her beauty, all he ever wanted was to marry her and to be with her forever. His love for her was never ending, I wish I knew whether he ever told her.
Prince Felix was a hard working young colt. His father died when he was young so he was the stallion of the house. He took care of his three younger sisters while his mother went to work. His family was what kept him going and what kept him working everyday. One day one of his younger siblings fell off a swing and had broken her foreleg. She was screaming and crying and could not control herself. Felix went rushing to her to help but she was so distracted by the pain that she couldn't focus for him to help her. she was wailing and sobbing but eventually Felix held her face and looked straight into her eyes and said "calm down" and at that very instant she froze and relaxed but tears were still rushing down her face. Felix helped her and brought her to the hospital and realized that he controlled how she felt, when he realized that his cutie mark appeared and he knew he had to get to the castle! so he told his mother he had to leave. Without even saying goodbye he ran away but as he ran his mother saw his cutie mark and she knew he had to go. His sister was alright and his family would be safe and he knew it. After becoming a keeper he rarely saw his family instead the other keepers became his close friends and one even became the love of his life, Princess Fauna. Celestia has unlocked many new mysteries about the keepers but she still doesn't know whether Felix ever did tell Fauna how he felt. As far as she knows the keepers disappeared before he could. Felix would tell Celestia all about how he dearly loved Fauna, they were close friends and Felix confided in Celestia often, they spoke about Fauna all the time but Felix never wanted Celestia to tell Fauna of his feelings for her because he wanted to do it himself, when the time was right and when he had the courage. Some day, Celestia knew that he would have that courage and that they would fall in love and marry.
Star Swirl the bearded/Prince Hex:
Star Swirl doesn’t consider himself a prince but more of wizard, which makes sense since he’s the keeper of magic. Star Swirl is a much quieter pony than the others. He spent most of his time in his castle tower creating spells and experimenting. Most of you already know what Star Swirl looks like for he is a very famous pony but most ponies never knew that he was a keeper, along with that you probably never knew that his real name was Prince Hex. He rarely ever went by his real name though because he had already become famous with the name Star Swirl and very fond of it.
Prince Typhoon:
Prince Typhoon is the keeper of wind, his element requires great responsibility and yet he does not seem to care. Typhoon is more of a free spirit, he likes to flirt with the ladies (especially with Oceana) and is a quite childish at times but still manages to get his work done on time and with good effort. He takes care of things and still gets to goof off. He has very spiky hair that sticks out of his head. His Hair is a bright white, the cleanest white you could imagine, white as the clouds in the air. His coat is a light blue like the sky on a summer afternoon. his eyes are Light blue as well.
Typhoon was not an only child for long, he had one younger bother. He was an interesting young colt who lived in and wasn't exactly the kindest. After his brother came along, Typhoon immediately began to be annoyed by the abundance of attention that was given to his brother instead of him. He began to act out and become rowdy and rude. Typhoon was upset and alone, his parents didn't understand why he was being so strange and they punished him for his destruction. The young colt didn't stop, he longed for his parents to see him, to acknowledged his existence but instead he was locked in his room alone. He was broken. One day, Typhoon's parents told him that they had to leave town to get somewhere safer (this was during discords attempt to take over so where they lived currently was one of the capitols that were under major destruction) he was to young to realize that it was the best thing to do but he didn't want to go. His parents tried to tell him but he didn't listen, he ran away. He didn't want to go so he flew away, immediately he began to pick up speed until eventually he was going so fast that he did the biggest sonic rainboom in history! and at that moment he realized he could control the air movement around him which made him the fastest pony alive so right as the rainboom exploded his cutie mark and horn appeared and he knew he was a keeper so he flew as fast as he could to the the castle of the king and queen.
The Keepers Legend (unedited)
Section 1, The keepers:
Once, long ago when the reign of the sister princesses was still young, there were the keepers of the life elements (sun, moon, water, fire, nature, magic, wind, and emotion) each keeper kept balance over their element creating order in Equestria. Although the keepers had great power with their element it had limits. All of the elements relied on one other. This kept the power balanced and distributed among the keepers evenly.
In the early ages the keepers were royal and well known but after thousands of years the keepers became merely a legend for young ponies to listen to around a camp fire. The only known keepers left are the princesses of the sun and moon but the keepers are still here, hidden throughout the lands and protecting the balance of the world.
Sometimes keepers will change the way they look into a more modern form to so that they fit in with the rest of the world. They also chose names too but some just used their original names from when they were young. For example, Princess Fauna chose the name Willow Whisper, Princess Embers name was Ember Sparks, Princess Oceana took the name Sea Drop, Prince Typhoons name was Storm Rage, Prince Felix chose the name Felix Ardor, Prince Hex took the name Star Swirl the bearded, and the sister princesses kept their names because they never had to go out into the world in a different form. Although it is unusual to find a keeper in this form they still do, sometimes just to see the world.
Even Celestia and Luna are not entirely sure how many keepers still exist even though they can’t die from old age it is possible for them to die. Princesses (and Princes) lives are complicated but I like to explain it like elves. Elves live forever until an external force kills them, such as disease, murder, or just accidental injuries, but they never die and never grow old. Their bodies hit a certain point/look and them they stop changing (they don't get wrinkles or anything like that) their bodies just freeze in that state for the rest of their lives. Their reign has no end unless they are killed by an outside force.
The Keepers Legend (unedited)
Chapter 7: The Dark Side of The Moon
All power can be corrupted and each Keeper has a dark side. Anger and despair can change anypony but for the keepers it is ultimately more dangerous, their anger and despair literally transforms them into a evil form. The evil forms of most of the Keepers is unknown mainly because none of them have ever transformed to their evil form, except for Ember and Luna. After the disappearance of the other Keepers, Luna began to change. She became jealous of Celestia because while the mortal ponies played and admired her beautiful sunlight they slept through her beautiful night sky. Luna became so envious and angry that it transformed her into the villain we all know as Nightmare Moon. Celestia told me that she has had dreams, bad dreams, about her evil form. She described it to me as red with a blazing fiery mane. I wonder if any of the other Keepers have had nightmares of their evil form. Luna told me about Princess Ember's evil form, She said that Ember told her about it when she got in a fight with the stallion she loved. Ember's evil for turned her coat pitch black, her hair and wings lit into flames and her eyes were as red as the flames of hell. Unfortunately that was the day Ember began telling herself that her powers couldn't be controlled and that she was destined to be the princess of destruction and death because she truly believed that those were the only things fire were good for.