The Mirror of Souls

Equestria was quiet. The morning sun rose slowly with Celestia's will, shining it's welcome light upon the world. Early risers rose, late sleepers slept. Animals awoken by their children, ponies by their foals. Farmers were already working their crops in hopes that they could get a decent pay from the market in several days. Some listened to the winds, others to the trickle of stares in wells. Trees shook with slight winds, mountains stood tall and proud on the Horizen. The Elements of Harmony, the Protectors of Equestria and Ponyville, slept on. And in the midst of all this, a small crack appeared in the middle of Ponyville square. Unnoticed, the world ignored its appearance.

The Crystal Empire. The world's Diamond in the Rough. Found in the great Tundra to the North, it shines with the heart and soul of a recovered kingdom, and the happiness of love. The snow leaves it and it's Crystal Ponies untouched. Cadence, Princess of the Crystal Empire, hugged her husband closer as she smiled softly, hair sticking up in some places. And on this morning, the sun shone beautifully, reflecting off the Crystal Palace in such a way that anyone would be stricken in awe. Rainbows shined across the land, demanding the world to recognize its beauty. But it already did, as the clouds accepted the Rays to shine their own brilliance. Yet among all of this, there were the remains of Sombra's attempts at resurrection, which stood dark and foreboding on the Horizen. And amongst those crystals, a small crack appeared in one, slowly spreading.

The Badlands. This desolate plane of existence is not but crags and fissures, deserts and drought, caves and canyons. Nothing lived, nothing breathed. No clouds, no hopes, no life. Only caves and Rock. And in one such cave lay a crippled and wounded race, which awaited their chance to rise again! The Changelings! Although crippled and wounded, their Queen still lived! She began to rebuild their race, despite the low food sources. That day they shunned the sun, staying in their hive, rebuilding. Their Queen watched over them, proud of her children. Yet far in the back, where the cave ended, a small crack appeared, unnoticed and unheard.

The Volcanoes. In the far northwest, these Gods of Nature erupted with their hatred, burning and melting the ground around them. Yet one race ignored their fury, laughed at their flames and magma, and stood unfazed. The Dragons. These fire breathing beasts of flame and legend truly rule the Volcanoes, and use the magma they spew as personal swimming pools. They fight, kill, play pranks, hoard treasure, and more. And on that fateful day, while the smoke and ash blocked out the sun, the dragons ruled their territory, same as always. Yet in a volcano, forgotten, sat a little dragon, small and weak. She was a bright orange, and happily playing with some stones. She was the only one to notice when the wall next to her suddenly cracked, the crack itself long and tall, easily taller than her. She flinched back and stared, then growled at it. It didn't respond, for it was just a crack.

Canterlot. A beautiful empire of white and gold, the home of the Royal Alicorns Sisters. And not to mention the rich and snobbish ponies who walked the streets, each thinking they owned the city themself, yet begging at first chance to have the Sisters help them rise in class. But they are unimportant. What is truly important was the small house, in the dark side of town. Small, and moderately taken care of. It had a small kitchen, a dining room, a bathroom, and a bedroom with one bed. On the small bed were two siblings, each the opposite of the other, yet both deeply loving each other. The first was a white earth pony, silent as he slept. He had a brown mane, and crystal blue eyes. On his flank was the mark of a simple shield, yet somehow it gave off the look of complete and utter protection. He twitched his tail, turning over, bumping his sister lightly. She was a black mare, with blood red hair and eyes. Her cutie mark was an outline of flames, surrounded in red shadows. She grumbled and kept sleeping, her long hair covering her face. On a nightstand nearby were two letters, each opened, both bearing the seperate seals of the Alicorn Sisters. Meanwhile, Celestia, regal and powerful as she finished raising the sun, yawned as she blinked her weary eyes awake. Luna was asleep, snoring lightly as her hair waved. Neither her nor her sleeping sister had any idea what was in store. No one did. Yet they would be in for a frightening venture that would test not only mettle and strength, but their loves and wills for their home.

Manehatten, the city of dreams! Here in this city of bustling walkers and carriages, ponies try to make it big. Full of celebrities, thugs, criminals, and nobodies, it began with a unicorn who was fired...again. Uneeded, unwanted, he had returned home in shame at his life, and broken of his will. He had given up hope for himself, and resigned himself to his fate. He sat depressed in his home, sipping at some beer, staring at the wall. He scratched his side, where it had started to itch, and didn't look away. He moved to check his watch when he saw his hoof covered in blood. His eyes widened and before he could respond a piercing, burning pain ripped through his body. He screamed silently as he began to change. After several minutes, he died.

Far, Far below, in a dark room, a mirror stood. It was simple, delicately designed, yet had an otherworldly feel about it. Occasionally a small wisp of light would circle it before sinking inside the mirror, before another was shot out.