The Elements of Solitude
The King Falls
Load Full StoryThe Beginning of the End
Many years before the reign of Discord, the land of Equestria was a joyous and plentiful kingdom under the rule of King Osiris , Ruler of the Moon and all things dark and Queen Solara, Ruler of the Sun. Then came the horrible day when the kind and merciful King had gone mad from sleep-deprivation, he was furious, he spoke of being unappreciated and his night being feared and forgotten, he said no one cared for his gorgeous darkness and all shunned the light of his precious moon.
“IF YOU WON'T ADORE MY NIGHT THEN I SHALL BRING ETERNAL NIGHT AND YOU SHALL LEARN TO LOVE MY DARKNESS!!!” the King bellowed from his spot above the castle. He flew high into the sky, casting a large shadow on the ponies below.
“Osiris ! Please stop this, your scaring them and me!” Solara begged, flying up to the Mad King.
“THEY SHOULDN'T BE SCARED! THEY SHOULD BE TERRIFYED!!” Osiris roared, his magic engulfing the sun, “SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR PRECIOUS SUN!!” the King began to set the sun and raise the moon, ignoring the cries of his wife.
With no other options, Solara blasted her husband with the force of the sun, sending him to the ground in ball of flames. The ponies around him quickly fled in fear of their King, “You think a little fire with stop me Solara?!! Do you?!” the King roared as he climbed out of the crater he created.
Hundreds of Guards surrounded him, “My King, we beg you to calm down, you are not yourself.” A Pegasus Guard urged.
Osiris looked up at Solara who was still in the air, “Sending your little army to do your bidding?! Well your not the only one with an army!!” Osiris yelled as he stood up and brought his fists down, breaking and channeling his magic into the stone ground. The floor began to shake as the corpses of long dead ponies rose from the earth and began to attack the guards.
Solara was horrified at the sight, “Osiris stop this!! Please!!” she yelled, tears streaming down her face as she watched her ponies be slaughtered by her former subjects.
Osiris simply continued his rampage with a maniacal laugh and glared up at Solara, “Come and stop me then my precious Morning Star!!” he howled enraged.
“I said stop!!” Solara demanded as she flew at Osiris full force, her horn glowing as she charged up a spell.
“MAKE ME!!” Osiris roared, his horn glowing as well and firing at Solara who dodged it and fired at him in return. The beams of energy collided, throwing both the guards and the reanimated corpses back in a massive shock-wave. The two alicorns were using their all against each other.
“You shall not win Osiris!” Solara bellowed putting everything she had into her spell. Osiris was quickly losing this fight, he tried with all his might but could not overpower the angered Goddess.
Very soon he was met with the full power of the sun, “ARGGHHHH!!!” the King howled in pain. Osiris lay, scorched by the heat of Solara's anger. He winced as he struggled to stand.
“I'll say this but once, leave my Kingdom else I end you here and now...!” Solara said as she stood over Osiris, her eyes glowing.
The defeated King glared up at her, “You can make your threats all you want, Solara but I shall stand my ground!” Osiris growled.
Solara narrowed her eyes at Osiris and lowered her head, “I wish things did not have to come to this....” she flew into the air, her horn glowed bright. Chains of pure light appeared around Osiris's legs, arms, wings and horn, “AS THE GODDESS OF THE SUN, I HEREBY BANISH YOU OSISRIS, TO THE CENTER OF THE MOON FOR ALL ETERNITY!!” Solara commanded.
Osiris's chains of light began pulling him towards the moon, “YOU THINK YOU'VE BEATEN ME?!?! DO YOU THINK YOU'VE WON?!? WELL YOUR WRONG!! I SWEAR ON THE MOON, I SHALL RETURN STRONGER THAN EVER AND I SHALL BRING ABOUT ETERNAL DARKNESS!!!” Solara ignored her husband with tears in her eyes as she watched him vanish in a burst of blue light.
When she was sure the spell had was completed, she began to lower the moon. Half of the Guards were taking the wounded to the Royal Healers and the other half were working to place the corpses back in the ground and repair the Courtyard. Solara helped where she could and after all that could be done was finished, she walked to the nursery to check on her daughter who was crying in the arms of a nurse, “Oh thank goodness your ok my Queen.”
Solara smiled, “I appreciate your concern, Nurse.” she took her daughter from the nurse who bowed before leaving the two alone. Solara sat in a rocking chair in a corner of the room, “It's ok sweetie, everything's alright, mommy's here now.” the crying foal stopped and cooed happily in her mother's grasp. Solara smiled until she felt a pain in her stomach, she winced before smiling again and whispering to the foal, “Your sister's here too.”
“My Liege,” an Earth-Pony Guard-Mare said opening the door, “General Magnus has requested to speak with you” she said opening the door wider for Solara to see the General standing outside the door.
“Let him in.” Solara said with a nod.
The General was a large light brown Earth-Pony with blue eyes, who nearly rivaled the Queen in height, “At ease soldier.” he said to the Guard-Mare who nodded before closing the door and returning to her post. Magnus took off his helmet and bowed, “My Queen.” he said, his voice deep and soothing, “I apologize for bringing this up but we both know he meant what he said, despite what occurred today, the King has always been an honest Stallion. There will be a day when Osiris returns and we must prepare for that dreadful day.”
Solara sighed heavily, “What do you suggest?” she asked him.
“We put together a special team.” Magnus replied.
Solara eyed him curiously, “What kind of team?” she asked laying her daughter down in her crib.
“Have you ever heard of the Elements of solitude?” Magnus asked, raising and eyebrow.
“Only in stories.” Solara said as she and Magnus walked to the door.
Magnus opened the door before saying, “Well a long time ago, my predecessor, my father had discovered a cave while claiming the land of Equestria, in the cave there were three powerful gems that upon further inspection were discovered to allow Pegasi and Earth-Ponies to use the magic within themselves.”
Solara stepped through the door, “Why have I not heard of said gems until now?” Solara asked as Magnus allowed the nurse who was sitting outside the door, to enter the nursery before he closed the door.
“It would be easier for me to show you.” Magnus said nodding to a Guard who then brought him a small glowing orb, “A message from my father to you.”
“Hmm a messenger orb? It has been quite a while since I last saw one of these.” Solara said as she took the orb from the Guard and used her magic to activate it.
The orb glowed as the face of the Ex-General appeared in it, “My Queen, if you are seeing this then disaster has struck our Kingdom. Deep below the castle are three gems, fashioned for three specific ponies. A Unicorn, who must be an expert in magic, a Pegasus who is a master of the skies and an Earth-Pony who will holds the strength to crush boulders with with their bare hands. These three alone shall be able to use these gems to defeat whatever evil stand before them.”
The orb continued to relay the Ex-General's words and when it ended, Solara returned the orb to Magnus who gave back to the Guard who took it away, “I still do not understand why only now this was brought to my attention.”
“Well you see the problem is that the three ponies who the gems are fashioned for don't....um well...exist yet.” Magnus said rubbing the back of his neck with his hoof and looking away from Solara.
The Goddess stared at him confused, “Come again?” she asked, “And just where did your father get this information anyways?” she added.
“He was advised to take the gems to a Soothsayer.” Magnus replied.
Solara was still skeptical, “Is there anything else I should know about these gems?”
“No, that is all my Queen.” Magnus said with bow.
“Very well, you are dismissed.” Solara said with bow. Magnus bowed in return before leaving. Solara watched as he left, before she headed to the balcony. She saw it was time to lower the Sun, sadly she raised the Moon and went to her Chamber and laid down to rest, “Elements of Solitude, absolutely ridiculous...” she scoffed before drifting off to sleep. That is until she awoke to the sound of hoof-steps, opening her eyes she looked around the room before she saw a figure on the balcony, “O-Osiris....?” she asked hesitantly, lifting her head from the pillow.
“It's a wonderful night isn't it?” Solara was shocked, “Relax my Morning Star, tis only a projection.” Osiris said turning so she could see him. He looked different, he didn't look like the Osiris she knew, “Your probably wondering about my appearance.” he asked.
“No I'm thinking of what to eat for breakfast.” Solara mocked with a slight smirk.
“I'm going to miss your terrible jokes, my love.” Osiris smiled at her.
Solara smiled at him, “Must things end like this? Please stop this nonsense so you can come home. Our Kingdom needs you, our daughters need you, I need you...” she pleaded.
“Plead all you wish but it will not change my views, I hold my ground Solara.” Osiris stated.
“What about our daughters? Do you wish them to hold ill will against you, their own father?” Solara asked bitterly.
“If that is how the cards are dealt..” Osiris sighed walking around the bed.
“What happened to you Osiris? What made you change so?” Solara asked as she watched him come around so they were face to face.
“Don't call me that...” Osiris said not looking Solara in the eye.
“Then who are? What are you?” Solara hissed, glaring at him.
Slowly, Osiris lifted his head to meet her gaze, his eyes had changed, “I...am your worst nightmare!” he roared, scaring Solara out of the nightmare.
She panted in a cold sweat, looking around the room. She laid back down and covered her face before she started sobbing. The Queen cried herself to sleep that night and continued to do so for many more.
