The Quest for the Elements
Prologue
The sun was beginning to set as creatures of many races began to walk into the grand hall within the city that birthed existence. The air was heavy, and the breeze blew gently against every creature that set foot into the large ornate building. The cast that would decide the fate of Equestria, and the countries surrounding it was to be decided this day. Whether it shall be thrown into war and chaos, or brought together under a single council of governors. Everyone stepping into that building knew what the outcome would be. However, a select few hoped that they would see reason.
Those two were the young sisters, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. They had barely come of age to rule their small country, however their parents had disappeared many years ago leaving Equestria up to be taken by whoever wanted it. The one who wanted it was one of the mightiest that stepped into that hall, Discord. He dictated a small land that was far to the north of the continent that Equestria shared. When the parents of the sisters disappeared, Discord thought it was finally an opportunity for him to expand, and he took it. The country turned into a playground, and many ponies were enslaved by him, and the ones that weren’t ran to neighboring counties, and even there they were not safe from a life of slavery and oppression. This meeting was their chance to regain control of the land promised to them, unfortunately Discord rules it legally. He is a hated beast amongst these creatures of varying alignments, so perhaps they could force Discord out of their country by force with the help of these others races.
There were of course other conflicts to be settled here other than the war between Equestria and the land that Discord calls Limbo. The draconic tribes of the east were causing many problems throughout the entire land. Also the Changelings have been disputing with a diminutive human civilization over trade agreement for twenty square miles of land. It was beginning to escalate to armed warfare.
Some half breeds sat amongst the more distinguished races, but most of them were there so that they could hear about what news that would affect them and their brothers and sisters.
There was one other race that had a stake in all the arguing about how they would bring about the single country run by a council, and that was the bright skins. They were a race similar to humans, but had no country to call their own, so they are forced to be nomadic in nature. Their physical differences are very slight. They have brighter skin which is almost paper white, but they do not have a problem with the sun. They have tall sharp ended ears that are very sensitive. Few times have they ever caused conflict, or been apart of conflict throughout their known existence within the world, which isn’t very long. Their known conflict however, were dealt with swiftly as they have been known to decimate battalions with ease with a mix of arrows and magic. Diplomacy was always their favored action though. It is also known to be good luck if you spot one before a battle.
Once all the races were within the grand hall, and sat down, an old withered satyr walked up to a podium at the front of the room. He had long white hair, and a very wrinkled face. His horns were even paper white and looked somewhat chalky.
“Today shall either be a day for grand celebration, or a day of grim realization if we can not agree to join forces and rule this world as one, we can never find true peace. The first thing that must be handled however before any kind of agreements can be made is the return of land to the sisters Princess Celestia and Princess Luna from Discord. Discord, Princesses, please take the stand.”
He walked off to the side as the two alicorns walked up to the stand. There were so many creatures and beasts watching them. This would be their one chance to legally obtain their land from Discord. Discord came a few minutes later after the two got to the stand.
“You first.” He said in his typical cocky attitude.
Princess Celestia turned to the people of the hall, “Many of you know who I am, as my coming of age was an event awaited by many. Many of you believed it would mark the end of the oppression that Discord had been causing in the land of my heritage. The ponies in Equestria have been turned to slaves, and some have even turned to food to feed his war machine that has decimated so many that dared face him in my land, and in some of yours as well. Equestria was once a land of peace and prosperity. It was once a trade hub that allowed any who didn’t mean it ill intent to pass through. Dragons who simply wished to pass through to reach their hunting grounds were permitted. The changeling who simply wanted to purchase medicine for his family that was traveling would be welcomed with open arms. We would not just sell them the medicine we would bring them into our hospitals to be treated. Even the half breeds were shown kindness when they needed it. What has Discord changed our proud country into? That dragon would have been changed to a kitten to be kept as a toy! That changeling would have been eviscerated and turned to food for the beasts that inhabit his homeland. What of the halfbreeds you may ask? Halfbreed slaves toil in fields and mines as we speak. They are killed for the fun of it. The land is twisted, not only because of the heinous crimes that take place within their walls, but also physically. The ground is floating in the air, and it rains chocolate milk. There are vents of pure chaos twisting this land while you all sit there and think that it is okay! Your people sit in the dungeons and slave camps of Equestria by Discord’s hand. I wish to put this to you, the people of this world, to help me rip my the land of my father from this beast.” Princess Celestia had ran out of breath.
Discord cloned himself so there was one of him sitting next to every single one of the races sitting in the hall. Then he simply said, “If you want to take the country from me and give it to these two sisters, go ahead. I will not admit to blood on my hands because there is none. Slaves? Perhaps.” He laughed and retracted his clones back to the front. “Then comes the question, how will you remove me from the land, and actually give power to these sisters?” He laughed. “This plea is pathetic. If you wish to start a war then let it be, but let it be known that you can not win a war with chaos. Blood will be spilled over this, and I am perfectly okay with that.” He simply walked back to his seat and sat down.
Most creatures looked at him with disgust. There were a few that looked at him like a man to be followed, perhaps these were already allies to Discord. The human leader, who was sitting next to him, began to whisper to him of plans of war. It seemed as though notes were also being passed between the half dragons, and even the two people that represented the bright skinns ended up with one of these notes. A look of disgust crossed their face and the notes were swiftly tossed.
The human whom was speaking with Discord stood up to take the stand and address the hall. His name was Sir Charles, and he was known for his ways with both spoken word and a sword.
“People of this hall! I greet you from the kingdom of man! Now, many of you had been paying attention to the growing tensions between my people and the changelings. I would first like to put all assertions of conflict to rest. Queen Chrysalis, I fear I do not see you amongst the crowd at this time, but I would like to say that we are going to cancel negotiations for land within your country. I will pull my men from your border, and all will go back to how it was before this conflict began. Now, I know many of you are thinking of siding with the sisters in giving them back their country. Now, allow me to say that upon these two losing control of their land that country was up for the taking. Discord was simply the first to claim it. Does he not have a right to his legally obtained land? I surely will not support any kind of behavior such as taking legally obtained territory without means to do so. Do you?” He smirked, and looked over to discord who was calmly relaxing in his seat. “Now, perhaps the atrocities that the sisters brought up are true. Perhaps the blood of all of our people is being spilled there. Perhaps the bodies of the able are used to toil in mines and fields. What proof is there other than the word of the sisters? I see no one else here that has seen these unspeakable things. I volunteer to go to Equestria myself, and see if these assertions are true. Who takes opposition to this?” The room is dead silent. “Then it shall be. If these assertions are true, I will personally bring back a broken pony as proof to show you all. Then, the sisters may have their country back on grounds of using the territory to conduct activities of malicious intent and action.”
The man was applauded, and walked out of the hall.
“There is one last thing to bring up.” The old satyr said as he stepped up the podium. “The dragon tribes have been causing many problems throughout all of our lands.” He looked over to a creature who looked to be a human, but he had sprouted massive wings to differentiate himself as a dragon that had taken a human form for obvious reasons. “We realize you are an old race, and that you can not control all of the dragons in the world, but perhaps it is time to dictate specific hunting grounds and regulations. There have been far too many cases of dragons destroying cities, and killing and raping men and women. This must stop! To any dragon that does not follow a few simple codes will be hunted, and will be killed.” The dragon in the hall said nothing, and simply left.
“I suppose this is it. The ruling on whether or not the sisters will regain their holding of Equestria shall begin in a months time, as well as the codes that will begin to forge our lands together.” The satyr left through a side door.
As people began filing out, Luna and Celestia turned to each other.
“This is not good sister.” Luna said, “That man and Discord were talking before he said he would go and inspect Equestria.”
“Yes, I fear that he is allied with Discord. We need to get back to Equestria and minimize any extra damages.”
“I don’t think that will be enough.” Luna said as she began to walk down the aisle. “They will not take the land from him without proof, and no proof will be presented at the next meeting.”
“What do you mean?” Celestia responded.
“I mean we must go and take matters into our own hands.”
“Discord is much more powerful than us, we can’t directly fight him.”
“I heard of some artifacts.” Luna began. “They are supposed to grant great power.”
“Where are these artifacts?” Celestia asked, unsure of her sister.
“They are hidden away in Discord’s territory to the north.”
“So we have to go all the way into his land to get the...what are they called?”
“The elements of harmony.” She said with confidence, “They are a set of six stones that, if in the right hands, could seal away Discord.”
“Well, let’s get going I suppose.” Celestia said nonchalantly.
“I don’t think it will be that easy sister.” Luna said, walking out the door with her beloved sister. “We will have to cross through some savage tribes, as well as changeling territory and many other races.”
“Again, let’s get going.”
The two walked, and began their quest northward to retrieve the elements of harmony.
