Purpose of Harmony

Chapters

Chapter 1: Thirst for Knowlege
Chapter 2: A Great Loss
Chapter 3: Into the Depths
Chapter 4: Ultimatium
Chapter 5: A Peek Behind the Crown
Chapter 6: The Calm
Chapter 7: Tales of Old
Chapter 8: The Price of Harmony
Chapter 9: The House Call
Chapter 4 1/2: Out of the Blue

Chapter 1: Thirst for Knowlege

The heat of Celestia’s sun faded as it dipped below the horizon. The dark of the nigh was beginning to creep over the sky as Twilight Sparkle was leading her three friends along the winding path up the mountain. They had been walking for almost the entire day. Finally, the group reached their destination, a small cliff overlooking Canterlot as the moon rose behind it and the beauty was awe-inspiring.

“Oh, wow.” Gasped Applejack at a complete loss for words

“So pretty, we should TOTALLY bring everypony in Ponyville up here for a PARTY!” shrieked Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie, I doubt we could get more than, like, ten ponies on this little cliff, the others would end up falling off,” Replied Rainbow Dash “but it is to bad that Rarity and Fluttershy didn’t come. They are missing out.”

“Well Fluttershy said she couldn’t leave her animals for three days on such short notice,” responded Twilight as she began to set up the tent “and Rarity…”

“HONESTLY, do you REALLY think I would WILLINGLY subject my self to all that DIRT” interrupted Rainbow doing her best Rarity impression, putting her hoof to her forehead for emphasis as she continued “PERISH the THOUGHT! Something like that, right?”

The group broke into laughter, Twilight harder than the others. She had been alone when asking Rarity to come with them and her response was almost word for word, what Rainbow Dash had said. The group calmed and set up camp, Pinkie and Rainbow stayed at camp while Twilight and Applejack searched for fire wood.

“So, Sugarcube, why did ya really wanna come campin’ way up in these here parts” asked Applejack once they were out of earshot of the others

“I-I don’t know what you…” Twilight stammered before she was interrupted.

“Don’ give me that. Suddenly, the pony who plans ever’thin’ months in advance wants ta go on a camp out, in two days.” stated Applejack “Not ta mention, ya packed half yer library. Com’on Twi, jus’ tell me”

“Alright, you remember back at the wedding, when the changelings attacked and we couldn’t get to the Elements of Harmony” sighed Twilight “It put everypony in danger and I never want that to happen again.”

“Twi, ya can’t blame yerself fer what those…” Applejack started, but this time she was cut of.

“Oh, nothing like that. I just thought that if I knew more about the elements I could figure out how to…I don’t know…help more maybe?” Twilight said “But the princesses won’t help at all, they just tell me it’s not something I should have to worry about.”

“Well, that’s all well an’ good,” Applejack nodded with a puzzeled look across her face “but what in tar’nation does that have ta do with a campin’ trip?”

“Well, I came across an ancent history book that said this area was covered in gemstone-rich mountains that disappeared out of nowhere. At first, I thought it had to with Discord, but when I read further Almost the entire mountain range disappeared almost 600 years before he rose to power. I asked Princess Celestia…” Twilight paused as a tear came to her eye “I’d never seen the princess angry, truly angry. She yanked the book away and threw it into the fireplace.”

Applejack was stunned. The princess, angry? And angry at Twilight? There was a long silence, finally broken when Twilight continued “She apologized for the outburst, saying it was a painful memory, and I left her. But as I closed the door, I heard the princess crying. So I began to open the door again, I heard her say ‘I know what I did was wrong, but we needed them and you wouldn’t listen, after Discord, we went to give them back but…’”

“WAIT, first angry, now CRYIN!” shouted Applejack in surprise “Are ya SURE we’re talkin’ ‘bout the same princess?”

“I know, but cold you keep it down, I don’t want to spread this around too much.” Twilight snapped “But the weirdest thing is what she said”

“What do ya think it means?” asked Applejack “Sense she said ‘Discord’ an’ ‘give um’ back’, could she be talkin’ ‘bout the Elements o’ Harmony?”

“That’s what I was thinking” replied Twilight, her eyes glinting with pride “I even examined the Elements; the gems have the same geological signature as the stones from this mountain. So I thought that by coming here, I might find something out about the Elements, and I brought you guys so the princess wouldn’t think I’m investigating”

“What, ya don’ think the princess would spect’ me o’ studdin’, Ah’m hurt” joked Applejack

“The princess might suspect you, but Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie are a completely different story” Twilight said with a laugh “We should get back to camp, I bet Pinkie’s set up balloons and streamers for some kind of ‘Friends Camp In Remote Mountains’ party”

“Pro’ly right” replied Applejack as she hoisted her pile of fire wood onto her back “It’s getting’ pretty dark, I bet they could use a fire”

When they arrived at camp, Twilight’s jaw dropped. There were indeed dozens of balloons and streamers decorating the camp site, but what really caught her eye was the banner between the tents saying ‘Remote Mountain Get-away’. Applejack couldn’t help but laugh at how close Twilight was with her earlier.

“But I was joking…” sighed Twilight as she approached the pink mare “Pinkie, when did you set this up?”

“Just a little while ago, my knee got pinchy, so somepony expects me to throw a party! I couldn’t let that pony down, even if we were in the middle of nowhere” giggled pinkie “So I used my emergency party supplies and PARTY”

“Wait…” Twilight paused, thinking back “Didn’t a pinchy knee mean something scary”

“Well yeah, a pinchy right knee means scary, but this was a pinchy LEFT knee” said Pinkie with a smile.

“Yeah Twi, try to keep up” mocked Rainbow, who emerged from the tent with a bag of marshmallows and a 6-pack of cider bottles “Let’s get this party going!”

Pinkie’s “Remote Mountain Getaway” party was a complete success. The girls laughed the night away drinking cider, making s’mores and telling stories by the fire. As the fire died, the girls headed for their tents, except for Twilight. Exausted from the long hike and late-night party, they slept the moment their heads hit their pillows. Twilight, however, sat by the fire and pulled a golden tiara with an amethyst 8-pointed star on top from her saddle bag. She examined it from every angle, looking for the mark she thought she had noticed before. On the back, where the gem star met the golden headpiece was a faint engraving. It appeared to be a hammer striking a sword on an anvil. What could this mean, she wondered to herself as she drifted to sleep by the fire.

Chapter 2: A Great Loss

As Celestia's sun peaked over the horizon, a dull *THUD* followed by several loud shouts was heard from Pinkie and Rainbow’s tent. The verbose argument was enough to wake Twilight, who had spent the night beneath the stars. Rainbow Dash emerged from the tent in a huff closely followed by Pinkie Pie.

“I’m sooooooooo sorry Dashie” cried Pinkie ash she stopped following Rainbow and headed for the cooler.

“What the hay are ya’all makin’ such a ruckus fer this early?” aske Applejack groggily, she blinking as her eyes adjust to the new light. She noticed Twilight stretching as she got up from the side of the fire. “Twi, did ya sleep out here all night? I didn’ think mah snorin’ was that bad.”

“No, it’s nothing like that, I was just thinking and must have dozed off” she responded before turning her attention to a now pouting Rainbow Dash “What’s wrong Rainbow”

“Don’t ask me! I was asleep until, WHAM.” Rainbow put her hoof to her head and glared a Pinkie “Pinkie kicked me right in the face”

“Bad hoof, I’m sorry Dashie but I couldn’t help it” pinkie pleaded as she gave the ice to Rainbow “but when my Pinkie sense gets going, there’s no stopping it”

“Eh, it’s cool pinks. It was more the surprise that got to me than anything else” responded Rainbow as she pressed the ice to her head.

“Well now, what were ya’ll doin’ that close together last night?” Applejack asked as she smirked.

“Oh, Haha” responded Rainbow in the most monotone voice she could manage “You should quit apple bucking and do stand up.”

As the two argued, Twilight walked over towards Pinkie who had busied herself with cleaning up the party decorations from the previous night. “Good morning Pinkie, do you want some help cleaning up?”

“No thanks” chirped Pinkie as she wrapped up the large sign “I gotta do this alone so I can figure out what’s missing.”

“Huh?” sighed Twilight

“A kicky leg means somepony lost something” explained Pinkie as she swept several streamers into a garbage bag “And the harder I kick, the more important the missing thing is.”

“Well by how hard you kicked Rainbow it must be really import…” as Twilight said the last word all of the color drained from her face. She bolted back over to the fireside where she had slept shouting “Ohnoohnoohnoohnoohnoohno”

Rainbow felt herself lifted into the air as twilight checked beneath her for something “Hay, what do you think you’re…” there was a soft thud as rainbow hit the ground after being dropped. “What got into her?”

“I don’t know, all I told her was that my pinkie sense told me something was missing.” answered pinkie in an abnormally high pitched voice. She had apparently sucked all the helium from the balloons. “And she went nuts-o.”

“Twi, ya’all right?” asked Applejack as Twilight lifted every log and rock in the campsite. She walked over to her panicking friend and placed her hooves on Twilight’s shoulders “Now sugar cube, if ya lost somethin’, why don’cha just tell us what it is so we can help ya find it?”

“The Element of Magic” squeaked Twilight softly
“What did ya say?” prodded Applejack “Try again, this time without the Fluttershy impersonation”

“I lost the Element of Magic” Twilight cringed as the inaudible words left her mouth.

“Now Twilight, ah’m sure what ever whatever it is ya lost, it ain’t nearly as bad as ya think.” Applejack said reassuringly. Rainbow and Pinkie nodded to add emphasis to what was just said. “Now, one more time, with feeling.”

“I lost the Element of Magic” Twilight pressed her eyes shut. Her three friend’s jaws dropped simultaneously. Rainbow Dash was shuttering uncontrollably, and looked like she was ready to fly at any second. Pinkie was eerily still caught in an odd position, mid bounce. Applejack’s face hadn’t changed at all except for a nervous twitch in he left eye.

“You lost the Element of Magic” said Applejack. A long silence filled the campsite broken only by the wind trough nearby trees.

“You lost the WHAT!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash breaking the silence that felt as if it had lasted an eternity “WHY the BUCK would you bring THAT ALONG!”

“I gotta side with Dashie on that one. I mean, I know the filly scout motto was ‘be prepared” chirped pinkie, noticeably concerned but still energetic “but that usually meant, bring a compass and extra party supplies, not an all-powerful, god-slaying weapon”

“Well…” Twilight explained how the camping trip was a front for her to study the mountains for the Element’s origins. Pinkie and Rainbow were stunned to find out about the princess’s emotional eruption, at Twilight of all ponies.

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner” asked Rainbow Dash, no longer angry, but still concerned.

“Deniability” said Twilight eyes full of tears “I could get in serious trouble for doing this, and there was no way I could do it alone. If you guys didn’t know what was going on, if we got caught, the princess would probably let you guys off. I’d never forgive myself if I brought you girls down with me.”

“Well we can’t worry ‘bout that now” Applejack said hugging her now crying friend “What we need ta do now is track down the Element. Ideas, anypony?”

Pinkie Pie waved her hoof furiously in the air. Applejack continued “Anypony that ain’t pink?” no response “Fine, Pinkie what’s yer idea”

“It’s simple, find the Element” said pinkie confidently

“We KNOW that but HOW! Exclaimed Rainbow Dash, now flying in circles above to try to relive some of the stress.

“Well the Element is magical, like REALLY magical. One of the most powerful magics in the world.” Explained Pinkie, much to the shock of the other three mares. “Detect Magic is like, a zero level spell. So we should be able to find it no sweat.”

“Good try sugar cube, but ifi,’ it was that easy, ah’m sure Twilight would have tried it already” said Applejack as Twilight’s face turned from lavender to red. “Ya woulda tried that already, right?”

“In the panic, I sorta…forgot” Twilight grinned sheepishly “Hold on, let me try”

Twilight’s horn began to glow a faint purple as she reached out to find the missing magic. She could feel something, it felt familiar. As she focused to get a better feel another massive magical presence overwhelmed her. It was like noting she had ever felt. It was like what she thought Princess Celestia’s full power would feel like. The magic was so strong it flung her back almost ten feet. Her spell dissipated as she gasped to catch her rapidly fleeing breath.

“Twi, ya’all right?!” Applejack asked

“I’ll be okay, I found something. Something strong enough to push me back like that.” explained Twilight as she gasped for breath “It came from the other side of the mountain, near the base.”

“Do ya think it’s what we’re lookin’ for” asked Applejack concerned

“It felt familiar at first, but there’s really only one way to find out for sure.” Said Twilight, now back on her hooves “Let’s go, everypony”

It took several hours to hike to where Twilight sensed the magic. Before they knew it, they found a deep cave extending down into the depth of the ground. Twilight attempted to detect again, with similar results. Whatever was giving off that magic was in that cave.

“You guys don’t need to follow me, this could get dangerous” Twilight said as she lit her horn “I’d understand if you wanted to go back”

“No way pard’ner” said Applejack “we’re gunna stick to ya like glu, ain’t that right girls?”

“Right” Rainbow said, trying to hide her excitement “This’ll be just like a Daring Doo story”

“Right, nopony is leaving anypony when they need help.” Chimed Pinkie “that’s not what friends do”

“Thanks girls, let’s go” Twilight led them into the cave

Chapter 3: Into the Depths

The cave wound deep into the mountain. Luckily for the intrepid mares, the interior was a single long passage. The walls shimmered in the magical light, revealing all manner of precious gems. They walked for several hours, their hoofsteps echoing into the darkness. As they grew weary, they noticed alight at the end of the tunnel. They rushed towards it, wondering if they might find the source of the powerful magic beyond.

They came to the end and noticed the light to fill the entire cavern as bright as daylight. They looked out seeing an entire city held within the walls of the cavern. All around them were hundreds of carved buildings and roads extending out to the far wall several miles away. In the center stood a massive castle similar in design to the castle of the royal pony sisters in the Everfree Forest, only much larger. Also like sisters abandoned castle, the entire city had fallen into disrepair. Chunks had fallen from the castle towers destroying nearby building, roads cracked and mangled by strange subterranean plants, and once clear signs had faded to the point where one could only guess what the had originally said.

“Whoa, this place is huge” Rainbow said, her voice echoing back

“Yeah, ya could pro’ly fit everypony Canterlot in here” said Applejack in awe of the size of the city beneath the mountain.

“Even more, the buildings are much smaller and closer together and look” she pointed first to the massive piles of rubble at the edge of the wall, then up to where they would have fallen from “Judging by the distribution and shape of the stones, those were probably wall-mounted houses for pegasi running, the entire height of the wall, if it wasn’t so run-down, I could probably house most of Equestria!”

When she pointed up, she winced as if looking directly at the sun. It took her a moment to realize that, hovering at the top of the dome-shaped catacomb was a ball of fire giving off heat and light on par with the true sun. The group looked up in awe at the tiny sun, marveling at its beauty.

“Well, ah never would’a guessed that this places would have its own sun” said Applejack “that must a’ taken a lot o’ magic to make”

“Yeah, I’m not even sure Princess Celestia could do something like that” responded Twilight “To get it so small but maintain the power, I couldn’t even begin to guess at how it was done.”

“Ooh, dank tunnels, strange magic, ruined cities, Dashie was right!” Pinkie shouted sending vibrations loud enough to send another portion of the weakened keep plummeting to the floor. The other three mares glared at her as she continued in a whisper “Sorry, but this IS just like Daring Doo.”

They continued in to the city, being careful to remain as quite as possible so they wouldn’t cause another collapse. However this proved more difficult for some than others, specifically Pinkie Pie. The group had determined after a second and third collapse that, for everypony’s safety, Pinkie need to have her mouth taped shut.

“Are we going the right way? Asked rainbow dash as they neared the town center “You haven’t done that detecting…thing in a while”

“I know, the magic is so strong now. I can feel it without the spell” explained Twilight “Good thing too. If I tried to detect now, the power would probably knock me out.”

“Jus’ think Twi” mused Applejack “This mornin’ we were jus’ sittin’ ‘round camp,” mused Applejack “and less than a day later, we’re in the middle of a ruined city that nopony knew existed. Won’t the princesses be surprised?”

“mah dah thahh thahh wahh” Pinkie Pie tried to say

“Pinkie, you can take off the tape if you promise to whisper” said Twilight

“I said ‘mah dah thahh thahh wahh’ which means” whispered Pinkie as she hopped to the front of the line and pointed around a corner “I don’t think they will.”

Pinkie pointed to a marble statue directly in front of the castle. I appeared to be of two young alicorns wearing armor similar to what Nightmare Moon had worn. When the approached, the mares were left speechless for the fourth time that day. The taller alicorn looked exactly like Princess Celestia only much younger, a young adult like Luna. Her breast plate appeared to have once been painted red, with the emblem of the sun matching her cutie mark. The smaller was the spitting image of Nightmare Moon only, to what the mares could only guess, would be the alicorn equivalent to a young teenager. Beneath the statue was the first legible word they has scene sense entering the city, etched deep into the marble was the word ‘Saviors’.

“Well…ah guess they would know about this city than” stated Applejack, eyes wide to take in the beauty of the statue.

“Hey girls, take a look at this” Rainbow said, pointing at the base at the back of the statue “this seems weird”

“You’re re right, it looks like there was a third figure standing with them when this statue was fist made.” said Twilight running her hoof across the abnormally rough patch. “This part was broken off later. Strange. Why would the ponies break a statue dedicated to their ‘saviors’?”

“Huh? No, I was pointing out that this statue could move” Rainbow dash grunted as she slid the statue to the side, revealing yet another dark passage.

“Amazing Rainbow” complimented Twilight “Pinkie was right; this really does feel like something straight out of Daring Doo”

Rainbow opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by the faint sound of metal against metal. They paused to listen, and heard it again. The repeated clang echoed up from the newly revealed corridor. The same clang, over and over, every few seconds, almost in rhythm. The group shuttered to think what could be making those sounds.

“Well…who wants to go first?” Asked Rainbow Dash, grinning nervously “We could draw straws, or …

“N…Now wait a second sugar cube, we don’ even know if that’s the right way” interrupted Applejack, clearly shaken by the new sound “We may not need ta go down there, ain’t that right Twi?”

“I wish it was” sighed Twilight “But the magic is definitely coming from below. I’ll go first, but stay quite; we don’t know what’s down there. It may not be friendly”

The three mares nodded and followed Twilight, once again, into the darkness. While the previous cave had looked to be naturally occurring, this one had stairs and smooth walls. It appeared that these walls were in far better condition than the city above.

The girls had completely lost track of time. With no sun or moon to guide for reference, they couldn’t tell how much time had passed from the time they entered. As they trudged down the stairs, the clanging noise echoed louder and louder. They tried to stop and rest, but the incessant clang made it impossible for them to relax. They silently agreed to continue.

Deeper and deeper, the stairs seemed to continue into the depths of Tartarus. It was now getting warmer and warmer with each step. The heat was becoming unbearable, but they continued on.

Just when they thought they couldn’t take another step, they reached the bottom of the stairs. A large door, about thee ponies tall with a large window into the next room, stood at the back of the chamber. The room beyond the door gave off enough light for the four girls to see without Twilight’s magic. The clanging was coming from the next room.

“Well…” whispered Twilight nervously “I suppose we should go in”

“Right” said Applejack in an equally hushed voice “no matter what happens, we stick together”

“Yeah, no pony left behind” said Rainbow with a weak grin

Pinkie responded by pulling them all into a group hug.

“Rainbow, could you fly up and peek in the window?” asked Twilight “I’d like to get an idea of what’s in there before we barge right in”

Rainbow hovered below the window, peering through. The room was lit by a huge fire taking up the entire back half of the room. Hundreds of swords and sets of armor adorned the walls, ranging from plain blades to gem-encrusted plate mail. But the first thing to catch her eye was hanging on the right wall a few feat from the roaring inferno, a purple star shaped gem mounted on a golden tiara. There it was, the Element of magic.

Rainbow Dash was about to rush through the door, when she saw the source of the horrifying clang. She saw right next to the fire, a unicorn stallion smashing a hammer against something on an anvil. His shear size made Big Macintosh look tiny by comparison. His deep green mane and tail were pulled back but other wise looked completely untended. His pale green coat set him in contrast to the mostly red glow of the room. Rainbow could just make out his cutie mark, a glowing red sword resting on an anvil.

As Rainbow explained the room to her friends, the striking of the stallion’s hammer ceased. They stared at the door in silence as an explosion of het black light radiated through the window. Rainbow looked back to see the fire at the far side of the room had shrunk considerably, now only the size of a large campfire. The green stallion had put down his hammer and covered his work in what looked like a metal blanket. He turned and let out a long yawn, then walked to an adjoining room, shutting the door behind him.

“Now’s our chance” Rainbow whispered with a smile “he left the room”

“Right” Twilight nodded as the pushed open the door and rushed towards the Element as quickly as possible.

They could now see that “hundreds” did not even begin to count the items adorning the walls. Every weapon imaginable had it’s own section on the wall, swords, bows, axes, spears, daggers, maces, flails, spiked chains, pole-arms, war hammers, all ranging from tiny blades barely the size of a tooth pick to large enough to be held by a full grown dragon. The armor sets to, were strange, most pony-shaped, some griffon and dragon, others particularly strange having an upright body and four legs but the top two came no where near the ground. If she had not been so focused on the Element, she would wonder what sort of monstrosity would fit into such armor. But no she made a b-line for her tiara as her friends watched the other door.

Rainbow reached a hoof out to pull the metal sheet from the anvil. She wondered what new work the unicorn could have been making. But before her curiosity could be satisfied, Twilight had the Element and motioned for them to leave. With one last glace back, Rainbow followed the others out of the room, closing the door behind them.

They galloped up the stairs nonstop for nearly an hour before they stopped to catch their breath. Exhausted, they collapsed into a fit of giggles on the stairs.

“That was INSANE” chucked Rainbow, being sure to keep her voice low so not to cause an echo “I can’t believe, after all that stress, we got the Element back so easily.”

“Yeah, he totally looked like ‘boss fight’ material” squealed pinkie “but he was probably, like ten levels higher than us sooo…yeah, fighting him probably woulda’ been bad.”

“If’n that means he was tough” said Applejack with a nod “Ah hav’ta agrees. I’m no push over, but that stallion was bigger that mah’ brother, I don’ think we could’a taken him without the other five elements and the rest o’ the group”

“Yeah, especially sense the magic I was picking up on wasn’t the Element” said Twilight, gazing at the look of shock on her friends faces “What ever that magic was, it vanished after that black light. I’d be willing to guess that the thing he was working on, was what was giving it off and when he finished, it stopped.”

“Very clever spellthief,” Said a deep voice from behind them. Twilight winced as her saddlebags were ripped from her back. The group turned to see the giant unicorn towering over the mares as he glared. The group shrunk back in fear at the anger on his face. He continued in the same tone as before “but what, pray tell, was your plan if you had met resistance? Oh please do tell,” a dark grin contorted his face “I’m DYING to know”

Chapter 4: Ultimatium

Twilight stood too stunned to check how her friends were faring, each of them as shocked as she was. They had managed to traverse a subterranean city, find a secret passage to a hidden forge, sneak into the hidden forge, find their stolen artifact and get out so easily. But now, everything had fallen apart. Just behind them stood a goliath of a unicorn that had snatched the Element out of their grasps. And he did not look happy.

“H-how did you know we were here?” asked Rainbow dash finally breaking the silence. The look on the unicorn’s face relaxed slightly.

“If you must know thief of honor, I could sense you the moment the moment you set hoof onto my mountain” he chuckled, though he wore a smile, the girls could feel unbridled rage just beneath the surface “You four, are very special, but I’m sure you already knew that”

“W-what do ya mean; ya knew we were comin’ from the beginnin’?” stammered Applejack, put off by the antagonist’s new demeanor. “I ya knew all that, why? Why would ya let us get all the down here and nearly get away with the prize?”

“We were never getting away, it was bait…” Twilight shuttered at the realization “This was just a trap.”

“Quite astute of you spellthief, but I wouldn’t say trap,” the green stallion corrected, fishing in Twilight’s bag “forced meeting, that’s more like it.”

“Well hear we are” said Rainbow feeling powerless, “Now what, are you gonna spout some evil plan before you kill us or what?”

“You think I went through all this just to kill you, if I had wanted to do that, I would have done it already” He let out a deep laugh that shook the very foundations of the mountain “No, you four, whether you know it or not, are very special. Oh and spellthief, I dimension locked this entire mountain, so no teleporting.” a glow faded from Twilight’s horn.

“Special how?” chirped Pinkie, finally removing the tape from her mouth “I mean, everypony is special in their own way and all, but…” Pinkie continued for several minutes, without pause. Strangely enough, the green stallion listened intently to every word. “…so unless you brought us here to play the kazoo, I don’t know how THAT little talent could help.”

“Very good question joyful thief,” the unicorn responded after finally retrieving the Element and tossing back Twilight’s bag “You four, along with four others, are the only being in existence, which have ever wielded ultimate power. I’ve been aware of you sense your defeat of the thief of dusk. Good show by the way, my plans wouldn’t be possible if you hadn’t saved her.” For a split second, a smile came to his face. Not a malicious smile, ore a cocky smile, a true smile. But it quickly faded back to the menacing grin that seemed to be his default.

“Then why are ya callin’ us thieves? We ain’t stole nothin’!” the stallion held up the Element of Magic that he had retrieved, and Applejack paused for a moment after turning a decent shade of red knowing that she couldn’t end this statement on a high note“…that…you can’t…that wasn’t stolen from us first.”

“You speak truly, ‘thief’ is not the proper term for you.” stated the unicorn stallion to all of their surprise. “After all, if a lord grants a squire a sword to defend the country, and knows not that his lord acquired it in less than honest circumstances, should you truly blame the squire?”

“Don’t you EVER insult the princesses!” shouted Rainbow Dash as she tried to charge the giant pony, only to be held back by Applejack and Pinkie.

“So you know the truth of the origin of the Elements of Harmony” asked Twilight surprised “Pease, tell me. Where did they come from?

“Alas, that is not my story to tell” he responded “That story should come from the thieves of dusk and dawn.” He turned and began to walk away “When you see the dear princesses, give them a message. They have eight sun cycles to return the Elements to where they belong, or Canterlot will burn.”

The group was silent. They had been played, manipulated like pieces on a board. The mysterious pony wanted them to follow, all to deliver a message, a message that repeated over and over in their minds. Canterlot will burn.

Up the stairs, out of the city, through the tunnel, until they reached the open sky. The sun was setting, they had been underground for over a day and a half. They decided to make camp, and head for Canterlot at first light.

“Can you believe that guy?” barked Rainbow “To not only insult, but THERATEN the princesses! I mean, sure he could’ve wiped the stairs with us, but the princesses are Demi-gods. Does he have some kind of army or something?”

“No, I don’t think he’s spoken to any pony in a long time” Twilight said as she though back “He seemed to be enjoying the interaction.”

“Yeah, I felt SOOO bad for him” sighed Pinkie. Her friends were staring at her in horror “What?”

“Sugar cube, ah’m not so sure you followed what was goin’ on.” Applejack smiled nervously “He stole the Element, trapped us, and threatened to destroy CANTERLOT! And you felt sorry for him?”

“Well, yeah. He was so sad” Pinkie said without her normal up-beat attitude. Her friends listened in confusion as the now somber Pinkie continued. “Every word he said sounded like he wanted to cry, but couldn’t. Kinda like when you cry so much and wanna keep crying but all the tears are used up. When he mentioned burning Canterlot, I could feel he didn’t want to, but would.”

“Pinkie, are you sure” asked Twilight, as tears rolled down Pinkie’s face “I didn’t notice anything like that. I just saw anger and maybe some sadistic pleasure.”

“Positive,” said Pinkie as she wiped the tears from her eyes “You girls don’t usually notice when somepony else is hiding a lot of pain. But I hear it, clear as day. Whenever I talk to a pony, I know what they really feel. That’s why to trust you when we first met Twilight; you were sincere about wanting to help the princess and had an idea how to do it. How I know Princess Celestia is proud of you, no matter what, and that she dreads the day she’ll lose you, like she’s lost so many before. How…” the tears began again “how I know you’re all my true friends.”

The girls a hugged their hysterical friend. “Don’t worry Pinkie Pie, we believe you.” Wisped Rainbow “but we still need to tell the princess. Maybe they can find some way to do all this where nopony gets hurt. Including him.”

“Really?” Pinkie gave a weak smile.

“I won’t lie, I don’t know.” Said Twilight “Bu what I do know is that we’ll try. And none of us will stop trying until the end.”

“You all really mean it” Pinkie’s mood began to improve

“Of course sugar cube, ah’d trust ya’all with mah life.” Applejack wiped the last of the tears from Pinkie’s eye “And you can do the same”

“I don’t trust that guy,” said Rainbow “but I trust you, and if you say he’s not as bad as he looked. I believe you”

“Oh thank you, girls” squeaked Pinkie, a smile finally returning to her face “you’re the best friends a pony could ask for.”

“Alright everypony, get some rest,” said Twilight as she doused their small cooking fire “We make for Canterlot at dawn.”

Chapter 5: A Peek Behind the Crown

Everypony had gone to sleep, except for Twilight Sparkle. She had more important things to do. He had already prepared the mass teleportation circle for the morning, made a small but filling breakfast for her friend, and packed all unused gear away. She was now in full panic mode, worrying about how to tell the princesses. This was not the irrational fear that normally filled her when she disappointed the princess; this was not even fear for herself and friends. This was fear that, the princess would listen to her, and because of Twilight’s advice, would end up making the wrong decision, a decision that meant life or death for tens of thousands of ponies.

The princess would be angry that she lost the Element. The princess would be angry that she had disobeyed orders. Twilight was resigned to do what was necessary, no matter what would happen to her. Slap on the hoof, magic kindergarten, banishment to the sun, none of that mattered. What mattered were the lives of every colt and filly, mare and stallion in Canterlot. She could not fail, she would not fail.

She woke her friends a little before sunrise to pack and eat in silence. The second the sun peaked over the horizon they were gone.

Luna sat in the throne room, utterly bored. Everything was so predictable. She was in the prime of her life, and she was wasting it. Nearly all the guards faces ran together making it impossible for her to keep a conversation with one last more than a few minutes without confusing him for somepony else. Her dignitaries were all insufferable, bit-grubbing profiteers. There were only two in the castle she could enjoy herself with. First being her sister, who was currently in the dragon kingdoms and wouldn’t be back for two more days. The second was the captain of the guard, her nephew-in-law, her good friend Twilight’s older brother, Shining Armor, who was busy with guarding the front door against attackers who never came.

She chuckled to herself about how cushy the royal guard had become. They were serious and well trained, but it was rare for one of them to be called upon for anything more than peaceful crowd control. She remembered the armies who stood against Discord and later herself as Nightmare Moon, thinking that the times have truly changed. Those brave warriors who laid their lives on the line for Equestria every day, they were the true royal guard, not theses royal doorman. She was glad; it meant these were more peaceful times. Until a rather pitiful attack on the capital by the changelings a few short months earlier, Equestria had not been truly engaged in war sense the original coming of Nightmare Moon. It was truly peaceful…and dull…horribly dull. Luna pleaded for something interesting to happen.

As if on cue, a bright arcane circle appeared in the center of the throne room. The guards nearly panicked as the got into formation, weapons at the ready. Luna was surprised; she should have been more careful what she had wished for. Her sister kept a weakened dimension lock spell on the palace the prevented all but the most powerful magic-users from teleporting in or out. It refreshed every morning at sunrise so, in theory, at least somepony could exploit the gap and teleport in, but few knew the gap even existed and even fewer cared. Whoever had done this was either extremely powerful or extremely clever, or both.

Before the haze cleared, Luna called off her guards and approached the edge of the circle. Once she got close enough, she could see that it was four of the Wilders of Harmony. Luna thought as the guards returned to their posts “Perhaps this little surprise will be enjoyable after all”

“Twilight Sparkle and friends, to what do I owe…” Luna began to say, until se saw the other girls gathered around Twilight who was unconscious. “CAPTAIN, get your sister to the medical office!”

Shining armor rushed Twilight out of the room. As her friends went to follow, Luna put out her hoof. “She is in capable hooves, but now I need to know what happened. This unfortunately does not appear to be the four of you just popping in for tea.”

“Yer highness, somethin’ terrible has happened” said Applejack staring out the door the way Twilight had left “It would be best if we told both you and yer sister, at the same time.”

“Unfortunately, my sister is currently away and cannot be contacted by magic, we could send a delivery pegasus, but she would have returned before receiving the message” said Luna in an almost shy voice “But I will do my utmost to help you all.”

“Well…” Applejack took the burden of telling the princess in Twilight’s absence “ya know that one really lonely mountain, near the Everfree Forest?”

“Y-yes, I am aware that the mountain exists…” Luna attempted to sound nonchalant, but the mention of that mountain dredged up so many wonderful and painful memories. It was difficult. “Why do you ask, friend Applejack?”

“Well, we were just campin’ up there a few days ago.” Applejack’s knees were shaking but she needed to continue “Twilight thought she could learn more about the elements o’ harmony there so she…”

“She WHAT?!?” a look of pure shock shattered through the normally importable princessly façade “How did she figure that out!”

“Was somethin’ yer sister said, but that’s not what’s important. Durring the first night…” Applejack paused “Somepony stole the Element of Magic”

“STOLE WHAT?!” shouted Luna, the royal Canterlot voice bowling the 3 mares back several feet. “I apologize for the outburst but, you can understand how that news would be…distressing”

“Ta be honest, it’s better than what we were imaginin’” Applejack helped pinkie back to he hooves “But we followed the magic of what we though was the element, deep under the mountain, into a hidden ancient city bigger than Canterlot…”

“A-a hidden city, really” Luna could feel herself losing composure, she wondered if she should take the conversation elsewhere, or wait for Celestia to get back. “H-how odd, sounds like a comic, hehehe”

“Really, ‘cause we think ya might no about it already. We saw a statue…” with that last word the night princess broke down. Memories of playing with her sister beneath the statue, the day she got he cutie mark, the day everything changed. A cover draped over the third statue, ropes and chains, ponies pulling, the shattering marble. It was too much for the young princess to handle, despite her age she was barely a young adult by alicorn standards. If scaled back to normal pony ages, she was younger than twilight and her friends. Applejack was calling “Princess, are ya’all right, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up somethin’ wrong.”

“No, it’s my fault,” Luna snapped back to reality, trying to save as much face as was possible “but if you don’t mind, could we continue this in a few hours. Twilight will be up by then, and I can send a chariot for the other two Elements. There is much I will need to explain and as you may have guessed, it is not a happy topic. I would rather not repeat myself three or four times.”

“Ah ‘course princess” Applejack confirmed nervously

“Thank you” a wave of relief rushed over Luna “I will meet you in my personal chambers, the guards will escort Miss Rarity, Miss Fluttershy and, when well enough Twilight Sparkle to you.”

The girls followed 2 armored earth ponies out of the throne room as Luna flew to the center of the castle hedge maze. There she waited for the hours to pass, alone, crying.
Tia, I’m sorry, I’m not as strong as you. Tell me what to do. I can’t lie to them. Would it really be so bad if they knew the truth? The memories hurt, please come home.

Chapter 6: The Calm

The mares were amazed at the sight of Luna’s room, amazed at how normal it was. They had expected opulent jewels and cascading gowns. It looked a lot like Twilight’s room back in Ponyville only scaled up. Rainbow couldn’t hep but squeal when her eyes landed on a signed ‘Wonderbolts’ poster. Luna seemed to have a fondness of posters; she had dozens, Wonerbolts, Daring Doo, Ironmare, even DJ PON3. The girls relaxed, Luna seemed less like an unapproachable godly monarch and more like a normal, down-to-Equestria god. Pinkie’s eyes fluttered over each poster until she jumped into the air after seeing DJ PON3.

“OH, I should write my sister!” she chirped, bouncing to the tall desk “It’s been way too long, I haven’t written her in ages”

“Where did that come from?” wondered Applejack

“Pinkie’s older sister, Octavia and Vinyl Scratch have been ‘together’ for about a year,” explained Rainbow Dash as she took a seat in the most comfortable chair she had ever sat in “How do you think Rarity got such a famous Dj for her little fashion show?”

“Yeah, it was too bad she couldn’t stick around” said Pinkie with her head buried in a drawer. She emerged with a notebook and quill. “I hope the princess doesn’t mind me borrowing some paper?”

She brought the pad over and took a seat between Rainbow and Applejack. She flipped to the back to find a blank page, to see a perfectly drawn picture of the statue from the underground city. They were amazed by the attention to detail; it looked as if it were actually in front of them. However there was one major difference between the picture and the statue they had scene, there was a third, male alicorn. If they assumed that the young Celestia was the same size as Luna is now, the new stallion stood over a two feet taller then Celestia is now. He stood in contrast to the two alicorn princess, he was heavily muscled and his main was short and very unkempt. Even though he could have passed for a homeless pony, he still exuded the same poised, regal atmosphere as the princesses.

“Wow, did you know the princess could draw like that?” asked Rainbow

Pinkie flipped the page revealing, to their confusion, the exact same picture. She flipped several more pages all the same, until they noticed the noticed a dark object up near the top of the page. Flipping more pages, the object, which the figured out was a large blanket, covered the stallion statue.

“OOH, this must be a flip book!” squeaked Pinkie, returning to the first image “Let’s watch from the start.”

As the pages mover rapidly, the image flowed. The blanket covered the male alicorn, ropes and chains wrapped around it, and slowly the statue fell to the ground, shattering. The images then slowly zoomed in on the face of the younger Luna, showing a tear in the statue’s eye.

“Pinkie, ah think we just looked at somethin’ private” said Applejack somberly “Ya should probably put it away.”

“Yeah” sighed Pinkie, her hair straightening slightly

The uncomfortable feeling returned, stronger than ever. They felt as if they had just watched one of Princess Luna’s most painful memories. That must have been what went through the princesses head when Applejack had mentioned the statue.

They waited in silence, guilt hanging in their hearts. The silence was finally broken by the arrival of Fluttershy. “Oh, I’m sorry…i…hope I’m not interrupting”

Eveypony in the room jumped in surprise; Applejack, Rainbow, and Pinkie by the sudden arrival of their friend and Fluttershy by her friend’s reaction.

“Well, this room isn’t nearly what I was expecting” said Rarity as she entered “I guess Princess Luna hasn’t grown to have her older sister’s tastes yet”

“Well howdy Rares,” Applejack said “Ya’all just get here?”

“Um…no, we stopped into the medical wing” whispered Fluttershy “They told us about Twilight, she should be up here and a few hours.”

“Yes, poor Twilight” said Rarity “her teleportation spell completely exhausted her. But let’s change the subject; do you have any idea why we’re all here?”

Applejack was hesitant, but she eventually relented and restated the story once again. Rarity and Fluttershy were stunned silent. Nopony spoke after the words Canterlot will burn. Applejack thought it would be a good idea to leave out Luna’s breakdown.

“Well…you’re camping trip sure was eventful.” Said Rarity after a long silence “so, How about we ask a guard to bring up some food, I am starving.”

The mood lightened considerably, the guards brought up food fit for royalty. The pressure lifted and the friends returned to their carefree attitude. The girls were grateful tor the real food, Twilight’s cooking left much to be desired.

Not long after they had finished eating Luna and Twilight joined the others within the bedchambers. Luna silently conjured additional seats for the other ponies. “Now that I have had time to prepare myself” she said with a sigh “Do you need a moment to tell your other friends?”

“No yer magesty, we told em while we waited” responded Applejack “We left off when we saw the statues, do you want to take if from here Twi?”

“Sure, you left off at the alicorn statue, right?” Twilight asked, Applejack nodded “Okay then, Rainbow had pointed out a secret passage, and following the powerful mystic aura, we descended deeper until we came to a door.”

Luna looked shocked as she thought to herself “It was there, all that time looking and it was hidden where I spent all my time thinking about where it could be.”

“Beyond the door was a very large unicorn working a forge, there was a blinding black light, and the unicorn left. We rushed in and took the element and hurried out” explained Twilight

“Did you see what he was working on?” asked Luna. Twilight cowered, it hadn’t occurred to her to see what the stranger had been making, she shook her head. “That’s too bad, it may have provided some insight into the situation, I apologize for interrupting, please continue.”

“We got a ways up the stairs, before he confronted us,” Twilight continued “apparently he knew we were coming and set a trap…”

“Forced meeting” corrected Pinkie adamantly

“He had taken the element to lure us down there, all to deliver a message, a threat to you and Princess Celestia.”

The group of elements froze; they knew the message well and dreaded Luna’s reaction. The alicorn pleaded “Twilight, I must know?”

Twilight took a deep breath and said the words she whished she had never heard “They have eight sun cycles to return the Elements to where they belong, or Canterlot will burn”

Luna fell to the ground sobbing. Nopony knew what to do. Twilight moved forward and wrapped her hooves around the devastated royal. “Princess, I’m not sure what we can do but maybe if we knew where the elements of harmony came from, we could help you make the right decision.”

“Perhaps you are right” the midnight monarch said as she attempted to halt her tears “But even f we wanted to return the elements, we couldn’t. They belong with the pony that created them and he…” she paused to avoid more crying “isn’t with us any more”

“Who was he?” Twilight asked inquisitively

Luna looked at the six mares in front of her, although they may not know it, they were her closest, no, her only friends. Perhaps trusting them with this would help, if not with the outcome, then at least with Luna’s own emotions “He was…my father”

Chapter 7: Tales of Old

The six mares stood in stunned silence as Luna walked over too her dresser. She opened the top drawer and pulled out a large, round, black and white gem. She smiled, her comment had done exactly what she had meant it too, catch them off guard. She walked back to the middle of the group, holding the gem in her magic. “This is the Gem of Memories, it will allow you to experience the memories Celestia and myself have stored within.”

“Okay, but why not just tell us what happened?” asked Twilight being the first to recover from her stupor “That may be easier and quicker.”

“True, but for much of the story, I only have second hand knowledge of most of the events. With this I can show you everything as it happened.” responded Luna “Also, it spares me the pressure of getting every detail correct. Now if you would just all take a seat.”

“Alright, let’s get this goin’” said Applejack, her friends gathering in the nearby chairs. She pulled Luna aside and whispered “Ah’m sorry princess, Me, Pinkie and Rainbow saw yer sketchbook”

“You…!” a look of panic washed over the princess’s face but quickly subsided “No matter, you and your friends will see that memory anyway”

Once Luna and Applejack joined the group, everypony’s vision faded to white.
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A young white alicorn sat straight up in her bed, the walls of her room were shaking but that was not what awoke her. She dashed over to the crib in the room where a very young midnight blue filly lay crying. “Hush Woona, we are here. Thou hast nothing to fear sister. We know not what is happening but Mother and father would never allow harm to come to us.” The white alicorn lifted her sister with magic and held her close softly repeating “Mother and father would never allow harm to come to us.”
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“Awe” squealed Pinkie “You two were adorable!”

“Interruptions already?” responded Luna “At this rate we well still be explaining when my sister returns”
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Just then a grey coated alicorn burst into the room, out of breath. “Celestia, take thy sister and come with us!” he shouted with fear seeping into his voice.

“Father, what is happening?” the white alicorn asked. She was worried; she had never scene their father afraid.

“There is no time, come with us…” He said with urgency “…and what ever you do, DO NOT look out side”
Celestia followed their father towards the basement of the castle. Only now did she see he was wounded, a large bleeding gash in his left wing. She wanted to ask her father what had happened but she was too afraid too do so. When the reached the basement her father collapsed from exhaustion.
Celestia was so afraid she nearly dropped her sister. She moved to help her father up. His horn began to glow with a bright white light that pushed though the darkness until it hit the seal on the far wall. The seal began to glow and with a low rumble the emblem of the sun and moon opened, revealing a hidden chamber.
“Go our daughters, you will be safe in there” he said wearily, he let out a cough turning his head so his daughters couldn’t see the blood that cane out.
“Father come with us, we’re scared” Celestia cried “We need you”
The stallion looked sadly at his daughter closed his eyes solemnly “My daughters, my Sun, my Moon. I love you both very much. But this door can only be closed from the outside.” He used his magic to lift a small stuffed doll shared a remarkable resemblance to himself and game it to has daughter “This door will open by itself when it is safe. I’ll always be in your heart” With that last word he shut the door quickly.
Celestia looked at her younger sister with tears in her eyes. She saw the alicorn foul playing with the stuffed toy their father had given them. She envied they filly, not a care in the world, simply happy to have a toy and to be up passed her bedtime. Celestia bent down and nuzzled her sister and said “Luna, no matter what happens, I’ll keep you safe”
At that moment the doors to the safe house slid open. Celestia’s joy turned to terror when she saw the way out blocked by rubble. She wanted to bust into tears, but she had to be brave for Luna. She focused all of her magic on trying to push the rubble to no avail. She continued to try until suddenly the weight she was pushing became lessened to the point that she nearly threw it into the face of their would-be rescuer. The silhouette called out to her “Is somepony down there? Are you hurt?”
Celestia looked up to see an alicorn stallion with a deep green coat and lighter green unkempt short mane. With the help of the green alicorn Celestia carried Luna as she climbed out of the rubble. Once the two fillies were out, the mysterious alicorn passed out exhausted.
Celestia was bewildered at the sight of her kingdom, the castle was rubble. The city, as far as the eye could see, was engulfed in flames. She knew something had attacked, but what could have done all this.
Her wondering would have to wait; she began digging through the debris. She found a few blankets in manageable condition and draped them over the sleeping stallion. He was massive, even by alicorn standards. He father was the tallest alicorn she had ever scene, yet he still towered over him by at least a foot. She returned to digging, hoping to find her father, but to no avail. Se sat in silence watching the horizon.
Much later the green alicorn woke, and saw Celestia staring east. He stood and waked over too her. When she noticed, she turned to him and said “Oh, Mr. Smith, you’re finally awake. We were starting to get worried. You were asleep for at least twelve hours” as she looked up at him expectantly.
“Twelve hours, it was the middle of the night when I passed out. Shouldn’t the sun have come up by now?” he looked down to see the young alicorn tearing up “What’s wrong, are you alright?
“My father should have raised the sun by now, he always raised it no matter how sick or hurt he was. He must have…” the sentence fell apart into sobs and moans. She reached up to the green Alicorn and hugged him tight. She normally would have never hugged someone she didn’t know, but her grief clouded he mind and he felt strong like her father.
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“Wait, I thought we were starting at the beginning?” asked Twilight “I think we skipped a few things”

“As much as I hate to admit it, I never met my true father” said Luna with a frown “When I said father, I had meant the stallion that raised me, not the one who caused my birth”

“I’m sorry, please continue” Twilight said feeling guilty
“Fear not Twilight” Luna’s face returning to a smile “I expect several of these interruptions, but let us try to keep them to a minimum”
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“Hey kiddo, everything’s going to be fine, you and the other little one are safe, your parent’s would be happy at that. Now what’s your name little one?” He spoke so soft and reassuringly that the white alicorn below him came back to he senses and stepped back in embarrassment.
“Our name is Princess Celestia; the filly over there is our sister Princess Luna. We never formally thanked you for saving our lives. You have our deepest gratitude” she said with a deep bow. The change in demeanor was so quick it almost gave the green alicorn whiplash. The child before him just went from sobbing wreck to dignified royalty in less than a second.
“A moment ago you called me Smith, why was that” the green alicorn asked slightly confused. He had never given a name, true. But why settle on smith.
“Because of your cutie mark, a red sword lying on an anvil as a hovers hammer above it. So by extension you must be a smith.” She said matter-of-factly. This just confused the green alicorn even more. She pointed at his flank, he hadn’t noticed before but it was there. He glanced at her flank only to see a blank space.
“Why is it that I have one, but you do not? You knew to check it immediately, so that must mean that most ponies have them. What is this…” he asked, letting out a grown before continuing “…cutie mark?”
“What do you mean? You act as if you do not remember earning your mark. The moment you discover your special talent, it appears as a badge of honor. It’s the happiest day in most pony’s lives… and you FORGOT yours!?” Celestia said indignantly.
“Yes, that is exactly it” he said as the filly’s face changed from annoyance to concern “You see, when those creatures attacked, I ended up caught beneath a collapsed building. I took a blow to the head and can’t remember random bit’s of information. I’m sorry for not mentioning it earlier” she looked so distraught, like she wanted to apologize but couldn’t bring herself to do so. “It’s not so bad, I can’t miss what I don’t remember, so that’d be name and history, but other things seemed to slip out too like basic information that all would know, like the cutie mark thing. By the way, Smith is a fine name until I remember my true one.”
“Well Mr. Smith, We’re sorry for our uncouth behavior, we should not have jump to a conclusion with out all of the information.” sighed Celestia, the last part of his explanation made her feel slightly less guilty. She cheered up slightly and explained “One’s cutie mark is the outward representing of their special talent. Yours must have something to do with metal-work or forging. We have not yet found our talent so we do not yet have a cutie mark. They are all related to what a pony can do, a baker may have an oven, a knight may have a shield or sword, our father has…had…” her voice trailed off at the thought of her father. She held in her tears, if just barely.
“I may not remember much, but I do remember the feeling of loss. That pain will never truly leave you, but it will be eased by remembering the good.” Smith spoke in a somber tone, remembering the guilt of the past once more. “Now, help keep your memories strong, what was his mark? What was he like?”
Celestia struggled with the words but soon she spoke again “Our…My father King Solaris, master of the sky, had emblazed upon his flank a solar eclipse. It represented his duty to control the day and night, but it also showed that even in the darkest of times his warmth would shine through.” She allowed a smile to her face once more “We feel a little better, thank you for your help Mr. Smith”
“I’d love to hear more if you would be willing too share” prompted Smith to helping her recover from her traumatic loss. “Your father sounds like a truly great stallion.”
The filly spoke for hours, telling stories of how her father lead the peace talks between the griffons and pegasi years earlier, how he fought back a dragon single-hoofedly, how he helped Celestia rediscover happiness after the sudden death of her mother during the birth of her sister. Her voice trailed off as she fell asleep.

Celestia’s sleep was filled with nightmares, horrid creatures she could not describe. They descended upon the castle killing everypony they met. She awoke violently, sitting bolt upright.

Her fear turned to joy when she saw the green alicorn in a state of complete focus. The magic radiating off of him was nearly strong enough to push her back. The green glow radiated from his entire body. Darkness began to fade as a dim light emerged from the horizon. The moment the sunlight hit, the stallion collapsed. Celestia moved closer as he muttered to himself “It’s a start, the world can survive in eternal dawn, for now.”

“That was amazing Mr. Smith” gawked Celestia “all that magic, it was breathtaking”

“That, I only wish I could have finished, even with that twelve hour nap, I’m still exhausted” Smith turned his head to look at the snow-white filly “Oh I forgot to ask, what are you going to do to get your cutie mark”

“Oh, you don’t choose what you do.” Celestia giggled “it just happens when you find your special talent.”

“Really, because it sounds like, if you work hard enough, you could decide your special talent” he said with a warm smile as he rolled over. Before Celestia could respond, he had gone back to sleep.

She had always dreamed of raising the sun, but her father always said she wasn’t ready. She looked to the dawn, she knew how to do it in theory, but did she have the magic?

Focusing all her magic, she began to attempt the impossible. Her head spun, her knees shook, the magic she was channeling was outstripping the most powerful mages she ever met. Against all odds the sun continued to move. She finished the spell, locking the sun into its daily path. She let out a sigh as she noticed a bright glow from behind her.

She looked back as the light faded to see her flank adorned with a golden, stylized sun. She did it, she raised the sun, she got her cutie mark. She looked the sky with a smile, he father would have been proud. The tears rolled down her eyes as the image slowly faded to white.
****************************************************************************************************

The only Rainbow had been left completely dry eyed, the rest ranged from tearing up to full blown crying. Once the memory faded, they all attempted to dry their eyes.

“That was so sweet” squealed Pinkie “I just wanted to reach in and hug little Princess Celestia and tell her everything would be okay”

“That was a truly beautiful memory princess, but” Twilight said nervously “it didn’t have anything to do with the elements”

“I know, but without seeing this memory, the others I must show you would make no sense.” Sighed Luna “And it was nice for me to see him again in a happy memory.”

“I’m sorry princess, I shouldn’t have doubted you” Twilight frowned “How many memories are we going to watch?”

“Four, I believe.” replied Luna “The next one is about 50 years later, we had been traveling, Mr. Smith said it was important for Celestia to connect with her subjects. But now, it was time for us to stop and establish a new capital. Are you all ready?”

The girls nodded and their vision faded once more
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Celestia sat looking to the sky, a determined look on her face. She stared, unmoving, until a midnight blue blur practically tackled here.

“TIA, TIA!” shirked the filly, tears filling her eyes, still holding the now tattered alicorn doll “MR. SAYS HE’S LEAVING!”

Celestia stood straight up in surprise, the emerald alicorn had been with them for what seemed like and eternity. Surely he wouldn’t abandon them now. Just then the green alicorn stepped into view. He had a slight frown as he said “I suppose Lulu told you what she overheard?”
****************************************************************************************************

“Lulu, Tia…” Rainbow Dash chuckled as the moon princess’s deep blue face gained a slightly red tint.

“Oh, please. Like yer one ta talk, Dashie.” Smirked Applejack as the room erupted into laughter.”
****************************************************************************************************

“I-it’s not true…is it” Celestia said as she fought back a rush of tears.

“No, at least, not this moment.” sighed the massive alicorn “I swore to protect you both, and I intend to live by that promise. But soon you will be establishing your kingdom, and won’t need me around. That is when intend to leave.”

“Why?” Celestia asked as she walked up and hugged him “Why can’t you just stay with us?”

“I have work to do, and I found the perfect place to begin” He turned to the mountain range behind him “These mountains are like no others in Equestria. I’ll have all the raw materials I need and, more importantly, look at that one in the center.”

Celestia stared out at the tallest mountain; smoke billowed from its peek. Celestia looked puzzled “It is a volcano. We do not see why that matters.”

“That volcano is the only place hot enough for me to begin my forge.” His frowned grew “As much as I wish to see you two grow into fine mares, I have other work that must be done.”

Celestia looked confused, her protector, her friend, her surrogate parent, was leaving. She knew it would happen eventually, but so soon. She could tell that once he left, they would never see him again. She thought quickly trying to keep this strage family together.

“We understand, you must go where you are needed and so must we.” Sighed Celestia “We have been looking for a place to set up the capital.”

“Really, already?” small frown broke into his stoic expression “That’s great, where did you decide?”

“We wanted a place high up so we can overlook our kingdom, someplace with a great deal of empty space so it can expand” Celestia said with a smile “We think that…” she raised he hoof to point at the mountains “there should do nicely”

Smith closed his eyes, and sighed “I thought I taught you better, you cannot such decisions selfishly, what you say here will affect your entire kingdom for millennia.”

“If you can give us one good reason not to put the capital there…” chirped Celestia victoriously, she had already considered every argument, she knew that the mountain wasn’t the perfect place for the capital but not the worst either. “…then we shall reconsider, but if you cannot, you shall not be getting away from us that easily”

The green alicorn was taken aback. He hadn’t expected to be cornered by the filly. She was right, there was nothing that would make the mountains a bad capital. He thought to himself “Perhaps I taught her too well.”

The two young princesses looked up at him with their eyes wide and bottom lip curled down. Finally, Mr. Smith caved “Fine” The young fillies jumped for joy. “But, we have a great deal of work to do, and not a lot of time to do it. Shall we begin your highness?”

He bowed low. Celestia and Luna laughed. The scene faded.
****************************************************************************************************

“We began work immediately. Tia and I began constructing an underground castle.” Luna said with a cheerful smile “And Smith started his forge.”
“Why underground” asked Rainbow, saying what the rest thought
“It was silly really” Luna giggled “Mr. Smith, for better of worse, had a flair for the dramatic. He said once we were ready to take our place as the rulers of Equestria, he would raise the castle from the depths and place it at the peak.”
“But what happened to the other mountains?” asked Twilight “From what I’ve read, those mountains just vanish.”
“Mr. Smith, over the course of a century, used them as materials in his forge” replied Luna
“Whole mountains?” asked Applejack “What in tar’nation did he need all that fer?”
“He made, among other things,” Luna paused for dramatic effect (He would want it this way she thought to herself) “The six Elements of Harmony”
It took all of Luna’s will not to ruin the reveal by chuckling. The six element wielders stood stunned, jaws hanging somewhere near the floor. She finally said “I don’t know why you are so surprised. I had told you the he made them.”
“But…why” asked Twilight
“What do you mean?” responded Luna with a confused look.
“Does that mean that he started the Elements before Discord?” asked Twilight “I always thought that the Elements were made to defeat him.”
“No, I don’t actually know their true purpose.” Responded Luna with a frown “But if I remember correctly, he had completed the Elements of Magic, Kindness and Honesty, all before all before Discord made his presence known.”
“D…dose that mean…” squeaked Fluttershy “we need to see *gulp* him?”
“Yes” said Luna “about two centuries after we began our work, chaos began to warp the entire world. The only safe haven was that mountain.”
“Why?” asked Pinkie
“It was protected” responded Luna with a soft smile
****************************************************************************************************

Deep brown rain hammered against the mane of the viridian alicorn as he stood looking out at the world beyond his protection. He saw the forests bend and crash under the weight of bowling ball-sized apples only to be devoured by flying seven-headed rabbits. Bits of the ground spun in midair, ripping any bright-ping rainclouds to shreds. In the cent of the chaos he saw a single strange being made from an amalgam of different creature parts. He flew unevenly with, one wing of a pegasus, the other of a bat, his long snakelike body undulating as he neared. He touched down his lizard leg and hoofed leg giving him an unnatural gait, made worse by the size difference between his right lion-like arm and his left eagle claw. He vanished, appearing only a few hoof-lengths from Smith’s unflinching gaze.

“So, you’re the one disrupting my deluxe disarray, denouncing my devious direction” spoke the creature in a refined voice, unfit for one with such a horrifying visage.

“I am” said Smith as the creature slithered around him, hovering only inches from the alicorn’s body. “And you will leave this place, I have not the strength to stop your madness across the rest of this planet, but here, harmony reigns supreme.”

The monstrosity’s yellow eyes widened as, what one could only assume was fear crept across its equine face. The abomination leapt back, regaining his former composure. He let out a deep laugh that sent chills up the spines of all who could hear it “Oh really? You openly admit you can’t stop me, yet you think you can tell ME what I can or can’t do, and where I can or can’t do it?”

“You catch on quick” spoke the regale alicorn, a smirk appearing on his face “Perhaps you’re not a stupid as you are ugly.”

Faster then any could see, the powerful lion claw, no longer attached to its owner, had embedded itself in Smith’s neck. “Oh, I’m sorry. Are we still trading insults or has the fight begun?”

“Cheep trick, Draconequus” replied calmly Smith, smirk still in place “but if that’s the best you can do, this fight is already over.”

Rage gripped the creature as he rushed forward wrapping his serpentine body around his would-be opponent. The sharp eagle talons ripped easily into the underside of the stallion. His tail constricted tightly around the unmoving alicorn’s neck “Tough talk, but how will you make your empty threats now?” He tightened his grip “I have seen the farthest reaches of the multivese, a concept your primitive pony brain can’t even begin to comprehend. I have caused the deaths of gods, toppled empires, and decimated galaxies. I am chaos incarnate, I am anarchy, I AM DISCORD!”

“You are as predictable as you have always been” said smiths vice coming from behind Discord. The aggressor was now being entrapped by living wood growing from what he once thought was a pony. He ripped out sending splinters flying in all directions. Mr. Smith stepped stoically from the interior of a nearby tree. “You take me for some ignorant blind boy or a strict, by-the-book starship captain, but I am well versed in deceit and chaos. In short, I play dirty.”

Discord was stunned, he had been outthought, outmaneuvered and, worst of all, caught off guard. He face writhed with anger “You…you know of my deeds? You’re not of this world either, are you? Sorry, but there is only room for one god on this plane.”

“I disagree, there will be two!” Smith’s head lowered as his horn began to glow. The heat radiating from the alicorns body began to melt the stone around him. Molten stone gathered around is horn forming into the unmistakable shape of a dragon head. As a jet of flames shot from the stone dragon’s mouth, aimed straight at the vile tyrant, Mr. Smith roared “And they won’t be either of us!”

“How boring. And just a second ago, you sounded so interesting” Discord snapped his fingers. The burning blast hurled the draconequus into the stone cliff face, drilling and searing. The smell of burning flesh, hair and feathers filled the air. Discord’s shape could barely be made out beneath the glowing lava that incased him. With one decisive strike, the fight had ended.

With great effort, Discord pulled himself from his glowing-red prison. Despite his near-infinite magic, his teleportation had failed. His coat had been burnt beyond recognition, singed feathers made him land-locked; his body was covered in welts and obsidian, but what hurt most of all was his, now deflated, ego. One word left his mouth. “How!”

“Dimensional anchor spell with the wood splinters” Mr. Smith chuckled, his eyes cold a glaciers fixed upon his battered opponent “I lied earlier, but you can see that now, can’t you? There is nothing you can do to save yourself now. Surrender and I promise you a quick but painful death.” Smith stepped closer now brandishing a glowing white sword.

“I took you too lightly, I underestimated you! PLEASE, spare me!” whimpered the fallen demon, who had curled into the fettle position “I don’t want to die!”

“Again!” The alicorn shouted bearing down on the wounded creature “I want to hear you beg for mercy! AGAIN!”

“MERCY” shrieked Discord. Smith swung his sword at Discord’s neck. He stopped in the nick of time to avoid cleaving Luna in two. Discord’s disembodied eagle claw hung in midair grasping the young princess’s neck. Tears streaked down Luna’s face, she had been wrenched out of her bed, into the path of her guardian’s sword. Discord let out a malevolent laugh “You’re not the only one who plays dirty”

“Smith…what’s going on?” asked Luna, shaking uncontrollably “W…we’re sc…scared.”

A flash of light, the sword vanished; Smith glared at Discord “You bastard. Release her, NOW!”

“Oh, who’s in control now?” Discord grinned widely, his claw reattaching to his arm. “You could easily strike me down now but, this silly filly would die in the process. One life to save millions, which is it? I’m DIEING to know?”

Smith shuttered with rage, but he saw little Luna, helpless. He thought to himself, one life for millions, it didn’t need thought. I had sacrificed more to save fewer in the past. I must act. But why, why am I hesitating? “Why!?”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe it’s the pain I cause? Maybe the look when somepony truly thinks they’ve beaten me?” Discord rambled “It could be that my head isn’t screwed on right, it could be, perhaps, that my shoes are too tight.”

“My original offer. Leave this mountain and never return; you’ll have the rest of the planet to rule.” Mr. Smith said, defeated “I swear on my life, I shall never rise against you again. Just let her go.”

Discord ran the offer through his head; he knew that the alicorn before him eclipsed his own power tenfold. As much as he hated the thought, this was a fight he could not win. He looked at the midnight blue filly in his hand, if he killed her; there would be no escape, no where he could run. “I want more than your word”

A roll of paper, tied by fire, materialized in front of Smith. It unrolled revealing a long contract. Smith’s blade reappeared and sliced into his own wrist, pouring blood onto the contract. The paper floated to Discord now, he rubbed his bleeding arm onto the contract and vanished along with the contract. A weeping Luna galloped to Mr. Smith as fast as she could.

“Luna, I swore I’d protect you and your sister with my life” he nuzzled her and lifted her onto his back “I failed you, I am so sorry.”

The silence weighed heavy on his heart, even this child couldn’t forgive what he had done. He heard a sharp snore; he turned his head to see the filly had fallen asleep already. With a chuckle he teleported into the deep recesses of the mountain, where their subterranean castle stood, waiting for the day it could shine. He quietly walked up the stairs to Luna’s bedroom, and placed her gently under the covers.

“Sleep well, my little pony” he whispered, floating her ragged alicorn doll (now devoid of wings and horn from hundreds of years of play) within reach. Still asleep Luna reached out and grabbed the doll. “I swear this night, once I complete my work, I will find a way to help you take your birth right back.” He left the room and closed the door.

In the hall he saw Celestia, her eyes dipping with tears. “W-Where were you two, I was worried sick” she cried, pulling the tall alicorn into a hug.

“I faced discord and…” he paused, Celestia didn’t need to know here sister had been used as a hostage “Tia, I failed, I lost your kingdom, but we are safe here. I made it so he could never return to this mountain again.”

A smile came to the young pony’s face “Then this will be the kingdom”
****************************************************************************************************

“Over the next four centuries, millions of ponies trekked across Discord’s realm” Luna explained “hoping to find safe haven within the mountain walls.”

"That city," said Twilight "It looked like it could have held all of Equestria."

"Yes" replied Luna failing to hie the sadness in her voice "His magic protected us from Discord's chaos, and his raw power protected us from the monster himself. The people acknowledged us as their rulers, but looked to him as a god."

“Well yeah, I probably would too, i mean, he nearly killed Discord!” shouted Rainbow “Not even both princesses could do that!”

“Rainbow, really” said Rarity “The princesses were trying to stop Discord, not kill him. I’m sure they could have done so had their hooves not been tied”

A silence permeated the room; Luna looked down to avoid eye contact with anypony and said “We were trying our best to end that demon’s life.”

“Princess? I…” Twilight began before she was cut off.

“It was necessary, for 400 years, his chaos claimed the lives of countless ponies.” said Luna “But we were unable to even scratch him.”

“I was going to say, I understand” finished Twilight “Discord’s reign couldn't be allowed to continue, even if it meant killing him.”

“But WOWIE-ZOWIE! Mr. Smiths magic is STRONG” squealed Pinkie “Who’d a’ thought that he could do that!”

“Yes, his power was unrivaled.” spoke Luna in a hushed tone “That’s why…” Luna took a long pause, looking away from the others. “…why what came next was such a shock

Chapter 8: The Price of Harmony

Luna sat at the massive dining table, playing with a few toy soldiers as she waited. As hungry as she was, she wanted to have dinner with her big sister tonight. She felt so lonely, over the past few centuries she and Celestia had spent less and less time together. Even when they were in the same room, the elder alicorn felt distant. The pressure of ruling had changed Celestia; she now was quiet, reserved and kept everypony at legs length. Luna knew that in only a few decades, she would begin ruling along side her sister. Hopefully then, Tia could rest.

Several hours passed, Luna could feel the sun drop below the horizon. She instinctively raised the moon. Not that anypony saw the sun or moon anymore. Discord’s chaos ruled the surface, here they were safe. Trapped, but safe. A tear escaped Luna’s eye, she missed her sky, her stars, her moon, she missed her night. She waited and waited for her sister. Her eyes felt heavy, both Tia and Mr. Smith had skipped dinner, for the fifth night in a row. She pouted as he went to tuck herself into bed. She shut her curtains so the eternal daylight would no longer bother her, pulled up the covers and focused her magic. A hazy image of Smith appeared at her bedside. Luna deepened her voice to try to sound like her adopted father “Goodnight my little pony, sweet dreams.” The illusion faded as Luna drifted off to sleep, tears still in her eyes.

The main throne room was full of arguing nobles and commoners, complaining about everything from recent crop failures to the massive overpopulation. Celestia overlooked them with her recently acquired, stoic expression. Overpopulation, unemployment, food and water shortages, decaying housing, minor cave-ins, and crime were only a few of the worsening problems the subterranean society had been dealing with in recent years. However most of their discontent had been directed at their guardian Mr. Smith, and why he never did anything to help. They knew he could stop Discord, but spent the years locked in his forge, doing nothing. Who was once seen as a savior, was now considered no better then Discord.

Celestia was ignoring the commotion below; all of these problems had been said hundreds of times before and would be said hundreds of times again. The mountain held several million ponies, far more then Celestia had ever imagined. Their ancestors had come here for safe haven from the god of madness, and were truly grateful for the protection provided. But that gratitude faded over the years, as more and more problems emerged. Celestia loved he subjects, being unable to help them was killing her emotionally. There was only one solution, destroy the chaos-lord.

Celestia had tried in the past, twice sending an army, which Discord transfigured into sea turtles. She had even tried meeting him herself. That had been the biggest mistake she ever made. In the battle, the draconequus had snapped all four of her legs, pulled out most of her wing muscles, and nearly snapped off her horn. She thought it was the end until Smith teleported her back to the mountain. She was unable to walk for nearly five years, and another seven before she could fly. The only pony that stood a chance against the raging god, was hidden, deep beneath the city, making heaven knows what.

Since his battle with Discord, he would vanish for weeks at a time, working in his forge. When she did see him, his mane was unkempt and long, his coat was covered in soot, he smelled of coal and alcohol, and he was starving.

Celestia felt the familiar tug of the moon rising into orbit. She had missed yet another dinner with Luna. Celestia hated ignoring her sister, but running the kingdom was far harder than she first thought. She longed for the simpler days, before Discord, before the kingdom, back when she was happy.

She chastised herself as she lest the throne room. “Celestia, you can’t think that way. You mustn’t, for your people. You can’t be selfish…selfish” the word continued to ring in her head. She decided to take a detour, out of the castle, to the statue out front.

She arrived at the stunning, marble statue, beautifully carved to show Mr. Smith, Luna and herself. She used her magic to push it slightly back, revealing hidden stairs. She walked down the hidden passage closing it behind her.

After about an hour and a half of walking she reached the entrance to the great furnace. Within were the thousands of weapons and sets of armor he made in his down time. Smith stood at his anvil, shrouded in a bright blue light. Intense magic washed trough the room, nearly knocking Celestia off her hooves. She adjusted her balance and said “Mr. Smith, I must speak to you immediately”

“One moment, my dear.” Mr. Smith said, struggling with his mystic concentration. The blue light reached a near blinding level, and immediately faded. With the light gone, Celestia could see a golden necklace with a pale blue gem in the center, where the light once originated from. Smith levitated it to a side table where five similar pieces of jewelry say “And with that, the Element of Laughter, the sixth Element of Harmony is completed.” Smith turned back to Celestia with a smile and said with a bow “To what does this humble smith owe the honor of a visit from the benevolent monarch of this land?”

“Smith, did you just complete the sixed element?” asked Celestia with a grin.

“Indeed” responded Mr. Smith, out of breath. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. Celestia rushed in to hug him, but he put out his hoof to stop her. “But before you say anything, they are not ready. I cannot yet help you my dear.”

Celestia’s joy turned to anger. “What do you mean?! You told me that you needed six elements of harmony! You have them, so why are we waiting!”

“I do not understand what is wrong.” Mr. Smith sighed and looked back at the elements “But, one day, there will be a threat far greater than that fool, and you will need the elements. I am sorr…” A sharp pain in the back of his head, and he fell unconscious.

“No, I am sorry.” Responded Celestia, dropping the mace she had pulled from the wall “But I need to put my ponies first.” She grabbed the elements and returned to the surface.
****************************************************************************************************

Celestia and Luna returned to the city, triumphant. Discord had been trapped in stone, order had been restored. They walked to the castle to share the good news to hear a loud commotion.

They saw a crowd of ponies, shouting and cheering. At first Celestia thought that they had heard of Discords banishment, but then she saw the statue of Mr. Smith crash to the ground. Luna ran to castle leaving a trail of tears. When the mob saw Celestia, they went quiet.

“What is the meaning of this?” Celestia said with a glare “My sister and I leave temporarily and return to this? Vandalism?”

The leader of the mob walked forward, a brown earth pony with a pile of gold for his cutie mark, Celestia recognized him. His name was Dirty Money, despite his name he was one of the more honorable noble, he consistently spoke out about the problems had by both the both the upper and lower class. He said sternly “Today marks the last day we live in fear, we will march out into the chaos and try our luck there. This city was once a beacon of hope, now, all it’s just a trap.” The crowd cheered.

“You are correct, today was the last day. Today, I forgive this minor act.” Celestia gave a large smile, surprising the angry mob. She levitated her three Elements of Harmony “With the Elements of Harmony that Mr. Smith spent over five centuries working on, completed last evening, my sister and I…” she paused, the mob was enraptured by her speech, Celestia had not been this openly emotional in centuries. “…have defeated and imprisoned the draconequus known as Discord!”

There were a few cheers but for the most part the crowd was awkwardly silent. A minute passed before Dirty could bring himself to speak again “Your majesty, I beg you, we knew not what had transpired, please, do not punish any of them. It was I who did the heinous act.”

“Destroying a statue is hardly…” Celestia began, but she was cut off by Money.

“Please.” He said solemnly, pushing the state back to reveal the secret stairs “Follow me; I have much to answer for.”

Celestia was stunned, not only did her subjects riot, but they had somehow discovered Mr. Smith’s secret forge? She realized, I left it open, when I rushed out! She followed him as the crowd hung their heads. She followed him down, down to the great furnace, in complete silence.

They reached the door and Money lead Celestia in side. Mr. Smith was nowhere to be found. On the anvil near the massive magma-powered forge, lay a piece of paper. Celestia went to examine it but the earth pony began to speak “My lady, last night I committed a horrible and unforgivable act. I murdered the guardian of this mountain.”

The remains of Celestia’s royal façade shattered. She was shaking in anger, fear and sadness all at once. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. The stallion who raised her, the stallion who went hoof-to-hoof with Discord, the stallion who helped her build her kingdom, died at the hands of a run-of-the-mill pony? It was impossible. He couldn’t have died.

“After you left the audience last night, the ponies assembled there decided, no matter the cost, Discord must be stopped. I saw you rush from the passage beneath the statue, and decided to see where it lead.” The brown stallion bowed his head “I had no idea it would lead me to our protector, Mr. Smith. When I arrived he was struggling to his hooves, I tried to get his attention but he ignored me, and just mumbled to himself and scribbled on that paper.”

Celestia looked at the paper. Dozens of words were written and crossed out, but two were circled. Duty and forgiveness. Dirty Money continued “Once I got his attention, I pleaded to him, I begged for him to help us destroy Discord. He laughed and said ‘I have more important matters to attend to’. In my rage, I rushed him. He must have been weakened some how because I accidentally pushed him into the magma furnace. He caught the ledge but had not the strength to pull himself up. I offered to help him, if he agreed to help stop Discord, but he refused. I left.”

Celestia was pale, she felt responsible for Smith death. If she hadn’t assaulted him, perhaps he could have defended himself. She banished those thoughts from her mind, focusing her rage on the pony before her. He was the one directly responsible. He would meet the same fate. Her telekinesis grabbed Money and floated him over the edge of the furnace.

“My liege, I am truly sorry, but I can never be forgiven. If I may make one final request, do not take this out on my family.” The pony said, tears in his eyes “These were the actions of a single, foalish stallion. Let it end with me.”

Celestia put him down. Smith’s forge was too good for this cretin. “I’ll tell you what is going to happen. You will be locked away, deprived of food and water, for the rest of your short life.” Tears formed in her eyes “Perhaps if you are lucky, I won’t destroy your family like you destroyed mine!”
****************************************************************************************************

Luna sat on her bed, sobbing into Celestia’s wing. She had just heard the news of her father’s fate. She didn’t know what to do, the fact the she hadn’t seen him in over a week before was eating at her. She cried, she cried until she ran out of tears.

“Sister” Celestia said sternly “the one who did this to us will pay, I promise you.

“NO!” Luna shouted “NO! NO! NO! YOU CAN’T!” She gripped her sister tight.

“Sweet Luna” Celestia responded coldly, distantly “It must be done. Justice must be served. Vengeance must be taken.”

“THEN WHAT?” Luna shouted “THEN HIS FAMILY WILL WANT VENGANCE ON YOU! AND THEN I’LL WANT VENGANCE ON THEM! AND ON AND ON AND ON! FOREVER” she walked over to her night stand and hugged her tattered doll “Please, listen to Mr. Smith…”

“HE’S DEAD!” snapped Celestia, tears returning to both sister’s eyes “He…he can’t help us any more, we’re alone now.”

“His last note. Forgiveness.” Responded Luna, with a sad smile. The word struck a cord, Celestia had been blinded by the pain of loss, she hadn’t even remembered the note. “He knew. He knew what would happen. He always knew.” Celestia began to cry once more. This time they were true tears of sadness, not anger. She felt Luna’s nose on her neck. “And we’re not alone, I have you. And you have me.”

Celestia hugged her sister tight “Never leave me, dear sister”

“Never” said Luna

Several hours passed before Luna fell asleep. Celestia crept to the door and whispered “Sweet dreams my little pony.”
She made her way to the previously never-used, dungeons. She looked in at a sleeping Dirty Money. She had to do this now. If she didn’t, she may never again find the courage. “Mr. Money, please wake up. I must speak with you.”

Dirty Money woke; in shock he sat bolt upright. Terror coerced through his body, so much so he could barely speak. He feared the end; he feared she had eliminated his family, until he saw her face. He saw a soft frown; she was sad, not angry.

“I told you a lie; Mr. Smith did not give us the Elements of Harmony. He didn’t want us to use them but…” Celestia bit her lower lip “…but Discord needed to be stopped. I hit him with a mace, and stole them. He was weakened because of me. You are not responsible for his death…”

“Stop.” Dirty interrupted “You cannot blame yourself, you did what you had to. You and your sister saved your people and we are all grateful. It was not you who pushed him. It was me.”

“But I…” Celestia tried to start again.

“You are a wise ruler. I should have trusted you.” said Money “In this new age, you will be an amazing ruler. I wish that I would be there to see it.”

“You will.” A warm smile came to Celestia’s face as she opened the cell door. “What you did was truly despicable. Your punishment is to live the rest of your long life, teaching your family to never make the mistake you made.”

Celestia turned to walk away, but before she could she heard one word. “Why?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe he would want me to forgive you? Maybe I fear that your family would seek revenge, the same way I did? Maybe I want this new age to begin on a happy note?” Celestia turned back to the dumbstruck earth pony “I just think it is the right thing to do.”

“Thank you, Princess of the Sun.” Dirty Money bowed “I strive to prove I am worthy of this second chance.”

“I know you will” Celestia said as the scene faded.
****************************************************************************************************

Luna did her best to hold back the tears; she tried with all her might, but to no avail. She found herself hiding in the corner, crying like a little filly once again. She felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned to see a warm smile from Twilight. She was able to calm down as the others walked over to comfort her.

“So, that is why the unicorn called us thieves.” said Twilight after a long silence “The Elements were stolen.”

“Yes, it is the most shameful secret my sister and I have ever needed to bear.” said Luna “It…feels good, to finally speak of him with somepony other than Celestia.”

“Princess, I have so many questions,” Said Twilight but she saw Luna looked exhausted. The magic required to maintain the shard vision must have been astronomical. “but they can wait until morning.”

“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle. The guards have prepared your old room, as well as two others.” Luna said with a sigh of relief “My sister should be arriving around lunch time tomorrow. I will…meet with my sister first. We shall continue this at dinner.”

They said their good nights and the six mares left. Luna went out to her balcony and stared up at the sky. A tear rolled down her eye as she whispered “Good night, Mr. Smith.”

Chapter 9: The House Call

A loud chime echoed through the night air of Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle awoke from a nightmare she couldn’t remember. She looked over to the clock on her nightstand “Not even 3 am?” she groaned, it would be over half a day before she got any answers. She would never admit it but it was driving her crazy.

She tried to fall back asleep, but no luck. She decided that, if she couldn’t sleep, there was no point in laying there. She quietly got out of bed and crept past the sleeping Applejack. She wondered if anypony else was having trouble sleeping. She walked over to the door, snuck out into the hall and *SMACK* fell to the ground as she bumped into a brown earth pony.

“Oh, I’m sorry miss, are you alright” he said helping Twilight to her hooves “Well, it really was more your fault but that’s neither here nor there.”

“I’m sorry I really should have been paying more…Doctor?” Twilight said in surprise as she realized just who was helping her up. There was no pony other than Pinkie, who could frustrate her quite like that particular brown earth pony. In their first meeting, he just walked up to her and spoke like he’d known her for ages. A few days later, he acted like that conversation had never happened, but thanked her for the cupcakes…that she hadn’t given him. He was horribly confusing. However, Twilight knew from their meeting she knew one thing, he was extremely smart.

“Are you all right?” he asked “you’ve been staring for quite a while.”

“Oh, I’m fine.” lied Twilight

He turned and to walk away saying “Alright, have a good night.”

Twilight glared, and said indignantly “Wait, you’re just leaving!?”

“Yes…OH! That’s wot you meant.” He realized trotting back to continue the conversation “Sorry, I forgot, when a female says that they are ‘fine’, wot they really mean is ‘I’m not fine, please, ask me wot’s wrong’”

She scowled “That’s a horrible thing to say!”

He turned to leave again “Okay then, I’ll just leave.”
“No, wait.” Twilight sighed “Sorry Doctor, I just have a lot on my mind. For every answer I get, I find three more questions. Does it ever end? What in Celestia’s name are you wearing?”

“Yes, in one of two ways” replied the Doctor somberly “With either omnipotence or death, and I assure you the latter is far more common. I never give advice, no, but I might just say this to you. Always search for truth, live your life, one day a time…and it’s a fez” He adjusted the crimson hat on his head “Fezzes are cool.”

Twilight laughed a little, her heart lightened and mind put at ease “Thank you Doctor, the past few days were just so…but I feel a little better”

“Not at all, it has been a pleasure meeting you but I don’t think I caught your name” the Doctor smiled “As you know, I’m the Doctor, and you are?”

“You…WHAT!” Twilight snapped, another question! “But, you, name, met, WHAT!”

“OH” the Doctor stepped backwards; he had made a critical error. With every step he retreated, the lavender mare advanced. A searing lavender blast of magic shot straight at the brown earth pony, he quickly ducked but not in time. His fez was ruined. He turned and ran, with a parting look at his beloved hat, he though “Why is it that my headwear is always being blown up by CRAZY WOMEN!”

Another blast scorched past as he rounded the corner, Twilight followed quickly so not too lose sight of the brown earth pony. She chased him, down stairs and out in to the court yard, she finally had him. He had turned down a left down a path; Twilight knew that it was a dead end. She slowed and strengthened her magic, there was no escape. She looked down the path too see the dead end, empty.

She franticly scanned the area, to find exactly what she saw, noting. As far as her magic could tell, nopony was here, nopony teleported, flew, even dug out of here. Her head spun, she was dizzy from magic exertion and exhaustion, the fact that she had just been in a high speed chase didn’t help either. She calmed down and sat.

“Did I just hallucinate that whole thing?” she asked her self genuinely distressed “I hope so, if not I owe him an apology, I completely overreacted.”

“Owe who an apology?” asked the Doctor from behind her.

“The Doc…YOU” she wheeled around in shock.

“Oh ‘allo Ms. Sparkle, it’s been a while” replied the Doctor with a grin “I accept your apology...though I do wonder wot for, anywho, how have you been?”

“A WHILE!?” she shouted angrily, though not trying to blast him to smithereens “You know EXACTLY how I’m doing! I just chased you all around the palace, only to have you VANISH from right in fromt of me! AND NOW YOU REMEMBER WHO I AM!?”

“Oh…so it’s that time” he muttered to himself, and returned his attention to Twilight “Feeling any better?”

“Why would I…actually…yeah.” She was so focused on the Doctor that she had forgotten her worries. She laughed “Did you plan this?”

“Yes” he lied, handing her a book “but this is what I came here to do.”

“A book?” She examined the gorgeous wooden cover. It appeared ancient, the ink had faded leaving the only the indentation to reveal the title “Irrefragabiles Murum: In Profundum Defensionem Darminibus? This is ancient equestrian!”

“Yes, it doesn’t seem to translate so you’ll need to do that the hard way.” He replied “You left that a while back, I’ve been meaning too but, so many things so little time.”

Twilight flipped through the aged pages, examining the intricate diagrams carefully. Her hear skipped a beat when she read the last line on the last page. “Scriptum Stella Torquent in Barbatus?!?! STAR-SWIRL THE BEARDED! DOCTOR I…Doctor?”

He was gone again. More questions. Twilight smiled, daunting questions aside, she had learned not to look a gift pony in the mouth. She returned to her room, still unable to sleep. This time though, from anticipation, rather than fear.

Chapter 4 1/2: Out of the Blue

-Chapter 4 1/2-

The green unicorn turned his back on the four stunned mares and walked out of their line of sight. He closed his eyes, focusing his magic to observe their long walk to the surface. Once satisfied that they had left, he returned to the forge.

After magically locking the door behind him, a bright blue flame erupted in the back corner of the room. The unicorn turned towards the flame unfazed and muttered under his breath “Perfect timing, as always”

“-an…he…ca…ke it” the flames sputtered, an ear-piercing buzz emanated as the flame brightened “There we go, just needed to adjust the frequency. ‘Allo, can you hear me now?”

“That I can” the unicorn responded “I suppose you wish to know the progress of the ‘project’”

“Wot, I can’t just call ta say, ‘allo?” asked the voice from the flames indignantly

“You haven’t” replied the unicorn angrily, there was a long silence.

“Sooo…how is the plan proceeding?” the flame finally asked

“Well, very well” replied the green stallion as he walked over too his anvil “I’ll have the Elements in eight days, whether they like it or not, and then we can move on to phase two”

“Hmm, phase two.” Said the mysterious flame “I’ll be arriving soon, but…”

“If ‘he’ follows you through the portal?” chuckled the green unicorn as he pulled the sheet from his creations “even he couldn’t affect our plans now.” Sitting on the anvil were two large gemstones. One pitch black the other brilliant white, both attached to golden necklaces identical to the elements of harmony.

A day later, at Canterlot castle an eerie noise echoed through the halls.

woooooshWoooooshhhhhWOOOOOshhhhhWOOOOOSHHHHH *DONG*

The guards never took notice of the took no notice of the strange blue box that materialized in the middle of the courtyard, or of the brown earth pony with an hourglass cutie mark, bow tie and fez that stepped out. “Well now, where to begin” said the earth pony with a gleeful smile.