It was the night of birth. king Hormoniem was sitting alone in his throne room waiting for the nurse to tell him of his new born children. King Hormoniem was the ruler of the pony kingdom of Equestria. Even tough he was a earth pony king Hormoniem was the wielder of the elements of magic. The king was older then any pony alive a gift that was giving to him by the tree of harmony. King Hormoniem had brown fur, blue eyes and black mane. His cutie mark was a tree branch circling within itself.
"Your majesty do you want some tea to calm your nerves" it was the master steward named Tea Cup. Tea Cup was a unicorn a loyal subject of the king.
"No thank you Mr cup" the king was in no mood for tea. Hormoniem was thinking of his past and what his new children would become. Sense the king never died Hormoniem children would always end up making new noble houses in the Equestrian court. But this ones would be special ever sense Hormoniem defeated the great evil and was declared king never once did he think of naming a heir. And in his dreams those children would be his heirs.
The king had meny friends but he could not remember a time where he did not rule. In his vision they would be the children who will take his place. The king felt both sadness and relief. on one hoof some one would be taking his place reliving him from a six hundred year duty, on the other he would be dooming his children to his own fate. It would not be easy but king Hormoniem was tired of life. All he can do is hope his children would be able to endure more then he did.
The nurse entered the throne room holding two fillies. She approached the king "your highness its twins" she said excited "both girls and they have both wings and horns its a miracle your highness a miracle" using her horn she present him with both of his children.
One had fur as white as the brightest light, her mane was in the colors of a rainbow and she had a cutie mark of the sun itself. The other was as blue as the sea at night, her mane was the color of the stars as if it was the night itself and she had a cutie mark of the half moon and stars who accompany it.
"How can they both be born with cutie marks?" The king asked.
"The doctor said that he haven't seen anything like this before" she replayed "that they don't know enough about cutie marks to assume it was not possible but he also said ponies with both wings and horns is simply unheard of. It just didn't happen before"
"Ahm very interesting" the king said. 'Just one more vision to come true' he thought. The king was pointing at his white fur daughter "this one would be named Celestia" then he pointed his hoof for the blue filly "and this one would be Luna"
"Such pretty names" said the nurse "ohh they are so cute your majesty"
unaware she made Hormoniem smile for the first time today. The king let her play with the children as he watched from his throne. She made funy noises and faces to make them laugh she uses toys to tease them abit and then gave the toys away.
A few moments later the doctor burst in the throne room. He bowed before the king, the king singled him to rise. "Your majesty it's the queen. She is" the doctor didn't finish his sentence he didn't need to either. King Hormoniem knew she was dead.
Celestia found it hard to wake up. It's not that she didn't like school but she would had liked to have a break once and a whiled. 'A princess is expected to work hard and harder then the common pony' her father used to say. "Wake up Celestia" knocked the steward on the door "or you won't have time to eat before school"
Celestia got up from her big bed and went toward her bathroom. She brushed her teeth and made herself pretty 'a beautiful princess is a loved princess and even more if she remain beautiful' like her sister she was taller for her age. Both of them not even adults but as big as ones. after she was done she made her way to the castle dining hall. It was a huge room with a long table. There on the edge of the table her sister Luna was eating breakfast. "You are late sister" she was studying and eating at the same time. Luna loved learning she wanted to rule some day even though father might never be replace. Celestia had no such desires, she wanted to live without that much responsibilities.
Celestia took her sit and was giving breakfast immediately after. One of the servants asked Celestia if she would like to read while she is eating. Celestia politely refuses she did not feel like studying during breakfast this mourning. Her breakfast consistent of salad and some fried fruit. Celestia loved drinking tea with her meals it always calm her down.
"Are you excited sister ?" Luna said while still inside her book "we are going to learn about the elements of magic today"
Celestia took a sip from her tea "we did not had a day free sense we started learning"
"You know what father says" Luna replayed putting her book down "you are princesses the realm can not afford letting you have a day off" she said imitating father voice giggling.
In the last three years all Luna and Celestia did is study varies things that is required from princesses. Math, economics, public relations, history, law and most importantly advance magic spells and theories. In there "free" time they would meet political leaders, solve miner problems around towns and sometimes help in court. They never had time for themselves. all what they did was for other ponies. Luna loved it, she enjoyed school, meeting new ponies from different cultures and above it helping the small folk.
Celestia also loved helping ponies, she just wished she had more time to collect herself. the life of a princess does not have time to relax. Far to much was expected of her.
"Come on dearies finish with your breakfast its time for school" the steward said "and I must remind you, you have a meeting with your father right after school"
"What does father wants this time?" Celestia asked.
"You know he never tells me, now go or you would be late"
They both got up and were on there way to the library. Stars Swirl would be waiting for them. Star Swirl was known for meny names the archmage, the star bender, the undying and the most popular Star Swirl the bearded. There were a lot of stories of how he got his beard. Although Star Swirl told them the truth. when he was a young stallion Star Swirl was afraid of losing his mane. So he created a spell that grows hair which does not decades. Instead it grow him a beard larger then his face. And each time he tries to cut it off, it grows right back in less then a day. The ironic thing is that Star Swirl still gone bold in the end and he never found away to remove his beard.
"Come on Tia we are finally going to learn about the elements today" Luna said "show us a smile sister"
Both of Celestia and Luna bragged about studying the elements of magic. It was well known that father once defeated a great evil using the elements but most ponies don't even know how he used them. Some say using the elements he turned into a great dragon and burn down Discords army. Other said he resurrected his troops again and again until only his Knights stood alive. Although father said it was something far less fetch but only nearly as glories.
They were just about to enter the library. Celestia did not talk the entire time. She felt tired from learning and been a princess. Both Luna and Celestia had never had friends other then each other. 'Princesses don't have friends, only foes and ally's' what father used to say. The only other friend they had was the garden boy and he was a mute. Celestia did not want to be a princess she just wanted to live her life. But for Luna it was different, she loved the attention they give her and the dedication it required. Luna was always happy to learn so she could achieve what was expected of her.
The library is a huge place the biggest hall in the royal palace. Inside of it there was a study room there Star Swirl waited for them. He had blue fur, a white mane which he had not much of, he had a very unusually long beard which was nearly touching the flor. Star Swirl were wearing a blue cloak and a blue hat with bells on it. The room itself was small and its walls consistent of book shelves beside one window who had a work table right next to it, two desks that were here for both of them to study on. There is a chalk board hanged on the book shelves in front of there desks.
"Sit down" Star Swirl said to them after they entered the room "and don't make any noise ! I am still reviewing your homework" he said with a angry tone.
Stars Swirl is a grumpy old unicorn, he gets angry easily and he is always upset when things don't go his way. It wasn't always like that, the first time they met him he was kind to them, but after a few months he slowly became as grumpy and annoyed as he is now. Father said its not that Star Swirl hate us, it's just that he is the kind of pony who only cares about his research. Once Star Swirl had nothing to learn from us he got bored. 'You need to understand child, this unicorn his brilliant. too brilliant For Swirlly sake. He gets bored very easily, so easily in fact that he spent most of his life searching for a challenge. And he barly found any' father told them once upon a time.
Both Luna and Celestia took out there pens and papers. It took Star Swirl a while to finish with there homework during that time both of them remained as quiet as possible. The twin sisters knew better then to talk without permission during Star Swirl class.
"I am done reviewing your homework" Star Swirl said "excellent work Luna I love the way you took my theories of elemental power effects on ponies mind to make an a example of how emotions are used to creat and control magic" he gave Luna the reviewed homework.
"Teachers pet" Celestia said and right afterwards Luna pull her tong toward her smiling.
"Celestia your work require move investment in it, nothing less then excellency is expected of you." he gave Celestia her homework "Redo your work and give it to me by next week. Understood?"
"Yes sir" Celestia said with a sip of anger in her voice. She did work hard on her homework but apparently working hard wasn't enough She needs to give her life for it.
"Now let us begin our lesson. First of all can anypony tell me what are the six elements?"
Luna was the first to rise her hoof.
"Yes Luna"
"The elements of harmony consist of six basic metaphors. Kindness, generosity, loyalty, laughter, honesty and magic also commonly known as the spark"
"Correct Luna. Each metaphor have a negative parallel and a person who represent an element of harmony, it is said in every generation there are six ponies who act as the elements hosts. And each of them carries there element negative. Today we are going to learn about the six elements as well as there negative parallel. There would be no questions until i allow it understood?"
They both nodded with agreement. Star swirl hanged on the chalk board what appears to be a leather sheet. On the sheet there were six emblems five surrounding one in the center. "Those are the emblems who represent each element. We will start with the element of kindness and finish with the spark. Now who can tell me which emblem represent kindness?"
It was obvious that each emblem had a message inside of it. The upper left one was a blue bird with a skinless head and red eyes. trying to hide It's head using its wing. The middle left one looked like the front of a ponies head with emotionless expression, the right eye was blue and the left eye was red. The emblem most downward was a broken smiling mask, the broken upper part was colored red and lower part colored blue. On the right middle one were two heads one belong to a blue dog, the other was a red lion. The upper right one was a quill with blue ink, it's upper part is planked from its hairs and is colored red. The centered emblem was just a white star it was there as if it didn't belong with the other emblems.
Celestia could not tell which one belong to kindness so she didn't bother answering the question. Although Luna was always eager to get Star Swirl approval.
"It's the quill on the upper right" Luna said.
"Close but no" Star Swirl said "Celestia?" He asked her if she wanted to give it a guessed. When it was apparent she would not speak he Continue with his lesson "the blue bird symbolize kindness. As you see the bird uses one of its wings to hide its skeleton face. It is believe that the element is shy by nature. Tough it is also said kindness is ashamed of cruelty which is its negative parallel. Write this down it would be on your test" both Celestia and Luna started to write what he had said. Star Swirl used is magic to take his pointing stick and pointed at the middle left emblem "this is the emblem of loyalty. The element of loyalty would always side with the spark but loyalty can belong to meny entities. It is unique from the other elements cause it is it's very own negative parallel. To choose between loyalty to your friend or to your homeland can be maddening" now Star Swirl pointed at the most downward emblem.
"This is the emblem of laughter tough the more correct term would be happiness. The upper part of the emblem symbolize self destruction sense the negative parallel for laughter is depression. The element usually does not like to show it. hence the smiling mask, it is also known even tough laughter is under depression it still desiring to make other ponies happy"
He pointed toward the middle right one "this is the element of honesty the dog represent truth. Or some say loyalty to the truth. It's negative parallel is pride as in fear of someone knowing the truth. There are many mages who believe honesty is another version of loyalty. Where the element of "loyalty" is loyal to a single pony or a single entity. Honesty is either loyal to itself or everyone else"
Star Swirl pointed toward the upper right emblem "this emblem represent generosity and its negative parallel greed. Some ponies prefer to call it the element of inspiration hence the quill. Generosity usually love art and even more if it is shared, but without greed there are times sharing is not possible. It is known as the element that straggle with its negative parallel the most sense one always needs the other. The downward part represent creation and the upper part represent greed eating it away"
Now his stick was pointing to the middle emblem "and finally this is the element of magic most commonly named as the spark. not much known about it sense only one spark was discovered up until today and that is your father. It's theorized that the spark negative parallel is anti socialism, but many claim that isn't true, some say it is hatred, others say it is cold calculation. Nobody knows for curtain and your father would not speak to anyone about it." Star Swirl put down his pointing stick right on his study table "now are there any questions ?"
Both Celestia and Luna rise there hoofs "Celestia" Star Swirl gave her permission to speak.
"Why won't our father say anything about the spark?"
"I do not know" Star Swirl replayed "he always refuse to speak of it. Most of what we know was done beyond is back. Mages trying to figure his personality, but sense he refuse to talk about his personal life we can never know for certain. although I never stop trying. Next question"
This time only Luna rise her hoof "Luna" Star Swirl said.
"Why are there only six elements? Sense they each have a negative parallel doesn't that make it twelve?"
"Ahh good question" Star Swirl replayed "in truth there are two types of magic. Discord and harmony. The elements of discord are twelve while the elements of harmony are six. The common pony believes each element negative parallel is an element of discord although that isn't true. The elements of discord are either the negative or positive version in its pure form. Cruelty without kindness, kindness without cruelty it doesn't matter they are both an element of discord. Now next question this one is the last"
Again Luna was the only one to rise her hoof "go on Luna" Star Swirl said.
"What happen when all the elements are combined?"
"Ahh yes that is our last subject for today" Star Swirl said "as you well know all six elements power is stored inside crystals. Your fathers included. they are integrated with the Kings armor. When all six elements power is combined it creates immense magical energy. It's so powerful it can bend our very reality, making wind into fire, stone into water, the sky into earth, you get the idea. However the pony who wield the elements is been giving one wish other then that he has no control over what will happen"
"One wish? what do you mean one wish?" Celestia spit out realizing her mistake a moment later.
"Didn't I say not to interrupt my class?" Replayed Star Swirl with rage "Celestia you will write two thousand words why interrupting my class is inappropriate and unprincess like. Luna you will write five hundred words of it"
"What? but that's not fair" said Luna complaining.
"The world isn't fair Luna. you should know that by now" said Star Swirl now coughing clearing his throat.
Luna look at Celestia with anger. Celestia return a awkward smile at her.
"Now then. The elements grants the wielder one wish but that wish has a price. No matter what you ask something would be taken in return. Asking for someone's death would have another be born in his stead, asking for someone to be resurrected would kill another in his stead, Building a village would burn another village, vanquishing evil would create a new evil, you get the idea"
Celestia raised her hoof in hoping to ask a question "Celestia I would allow you to speak but this would be the last question for today"
"Why does the wish has to have a price? Isn't there away around that?"
"Ahh yes that is a good question" Star Swirl said pleased "well imagine the universe as a glass full of water. What the elements do is add a sip of it to the glass. but sense the glass is full some of the water escape leaving the glass as it was before. And as away around that well even I dont know everything"
