Chapters [You]: Thank you, your highness, for meeting me today. I know you must be very busy on a daily basis.
Princess Celestia has a soft smile on her snout, her eyes slightly looking into nothing, perhaps her memories.
[Princess Celestia]: It's quite alright. I wish I had more time to devote to my subjects, so this will be a good session.
[Y]: So, let's start from the beginning, shall we? What can you tell me about Discord and his rule before you and your sister overthrew him?
[PC]: Discord was a monster. He played games with everypony and everything for his own personal amusement. My sister and I had had enough, so we tracked Discord where ever he went until he gave up running and stood to face us. Before we set out to fight him, my sister and I did a lot of reading on the Elements of Harmony. They had been crafted by my ponies, the Alicorns, long before we were born. I don't remember what their exact purpose was for, but they made an effective weapon when dealing with threats.
[Y]: I'm sorry to interrupt, princess, but what can you tell us about your race? Until Princess Cadance came into the light, everypony had assumed that it was just you and your sister. Where's the capital, for instance?
Princess Celestia's eyes cloud and she blinks back a tear.
[PC]: When we found Discord, we realized we had earned some sort of right to wield the Elements of Harmony. So we did, and we ended his reign of chaos.
Princess Celestia smiles fondly, perhaps thinking back on the good she had done.
[PC]: We saved our home; everypony's home. We were heroes, and we sort of liked that. During our travels we had learned a great deal about all ponykind. Their likes and dislikes, what they thought was best for the ponies and so on so forth. My sister and I made an agreement right then and there, after Discord was encased in stone: We would rule this land, which we had named Equestria, and serve the ponies. Never again would our home fall into chaos and disharmony.
[Y]: So it's safe to assume that you had a strong bond with your little sister, is that right?
Princess Celestia gives a simple nod.
[Y]: It must have been incredibly painful to be forced to banish her, right?
Princess Celestia sighs sadly.
[PC]: It was incredibly heart wrenching, but she left me no choice. She had broken our agreement for her own selfish desires, and I saw that if I didn't act it would lead to another Discord. I did what I had to, but we're over that now. She's still my little sister and I love her.
[Y]: What was Luna like before her banishment?
[PC]: She was very shy and timid. She rarely left the castle or even talked to her guards. She was living in my shadow, and it denied her a lot of opportunities to make friends. It was around this time I adopted my first pupil, Starswirl. He would later become the head magician for our kingdom, but he was still young and a bit childish. His first task was to go out and travel Equestria, sending me back friendship reports. I'll admit I did this to show my sister the values of friendship, but only later would I realize the affect his reports had on the kingdom.
[Y]: And what were those affects? I'm assuming you made his reports public.
[PC]: Yes, I did. After the reports had been duplicated and sent out, the ponies started forming towns and cities closer to each other. Starswirl had shown them that just because one pony is a unicorn and the other is a pegasus doesn't mean they couldn't get along. There was a lot of racial tension before and after Discord's rule, but after Starswirl it all disappeared. I hadn't realized how little the different races got along, and so after Canterlot was finished building, I created the Grand Galloping Gala. Everypony was invited to make friends, and the first few years we were flooded with ponies. It became such a problem, unfortunately, that we had to start giving out tickets instead of just allowing ponies in. It was a stupid decision, I admit, because none of the ponies that wanted to or needed to make friends where coming; it was all just 'high-class' unicorns.
[Y]: You say 'high-class' like you're disgusted. Why?
[PC]: I am a bit disgusted. I love all of my subjects, but the purpose of the Grand Galloping Gala had been...'Tainted' by a group of ponies who thought themselves better than all the rest.
[Y]: And that kind of ticked you off, am I right?
[PC]: Of course it did! I had set up a reign of peace and prosperity between all the races of ponies, and they were ignoring it completely.
[Y]: So why didn't you cancel the Grand Galloping Gala?
[PC]: I hoped that eventually a 'lower-class' pony would come forth and ask for a ticket. Even if they were all gone, I would've personally made a few more for them. But none ever did, and I still don't know why.
[Y]: That sounds rough. I hate to abandon this subject, but I feel like we're kind of straying from the point here. Forgive me for being so brash, Princess, but I feel like there's a lot more than you're telling us about the past. This session is supposed to be a personal look into you. You mentioned you and your sister tracking Discord down. What about the other alicorns? And you said you talked with other ponies while you were traveling. Did you make any friends for yourself?
Princess Celestia stares down at the table, her eyes clouded and staring at nothing.
[PC]: I think you should leave now.
[You]: I'm sorry about yesterday, Princess. I wasn't aware that it was such a sensitive subject. No book exists on your race, so you're the target of much amazement and wonder.
[Princess Celestia]: I ordered all those books destroyed.
Princess Celestia hangs her head in shame, or perhaps depression.
PC : Discord knew how powerful Alicorns were. We were his first. But he was our last.
Y : What are you saying?
PC : Discord understood that all of our power combined could destroy him, so he burned our cities and trapped us inside. The first day Discord lived was the last day my kind died. Luna, Cadance and I were out of the cities when he attacked. I don't even remember what we were doing. Cadance was still a filly, and Luna was just becoming a young teenager. When...When we saw the shield bubble come up around our city we ran towards it, but when we got into view we...Green flames devoured everything inside the bubble. At first, I thought a spell had gone wrong and the shield had been brought up to prevent damage to the surrounding area. Only a few seconds later when I saw Discord flying around did I put two and two together.
Y : So what did you do? Where did you go?
PC : I did the only thing I could do: I ran. I flew. I teleported until we were far enough away where I couldn't hear their screams even in my mind.
Y : I'm so sorry, Princess. We can stop if you'd like.
PC : No, I need to let this out. I cried for days while Luna took care of Cadance. Only when Cadance began crying for food did I realize I had to stop torturing myself. I had to be the adult in this situation.
Princess Celestia looks stunned as she finishes that sentence, a tear rolling down the side of her face.
PC : Everypony we knew was dead. Our mother and father, our friends and neighbors...I had never felt such rage before then. The shields went down after the flames died out, and I reluctantly pushed myself through the ruins to the library. I told Luna to stay with Cadance while I got a few books on the Elements. I also hoped to find some food to bring back.
Y : What did you find?
PC : I found death and destruction, caused by a maniacal tyrant.
Y : Surely some of the Alicorns at least tried to put out the fire or protect themselves?
PC : Green Fire isn't like normal fire. It's created by magic, and is ten times as deadly. It can't be put out, nor can one be protected from it. The only way to get rid of it is to let it die out. I trotted solemnly through the ash covered streets, careful to advert my eyes if I saw something that resembled...You know...The library was in shambles, but luckily a thick layer of books protected some of the more important readings I needed. I put them in my saddle bag and made my way towards...Towards home.
Y : Why did you go home?
PC : I was still a young mare. I was in denial, and I guess I just needed clarification.
Y : Looking back on that decision, would you have changed it?
Princess Celestia looks up and stares at the ceiling.
[You]: Where did you go next?
[Princess Celestia]: East. Discord flew off towards Flutterva- I mean, the Badlands.
Y : Futter what?
[PC]: It's nothing. I was just think about...Another time. Please don't ask about it again.
Y : Why was he flying east? Was there anything special that way?
[PC]: Not that I knew of. Alicorns were the only race to establish permanent settlements as far as I knew.
Y : Can you elaborate on why that is?
[PC]: The earth ponies were nomads back then. They didn't know how to treat and maintain the ground that well. The unicorns followed after the earth ponies, albeit keeping their distance.
Y : Why did they keep their distance?
[PC]: There was a lot of racial tension before my sister and I came into power. The unicorns followed the earth ponies for food while they hunted for gems, and the earth ponies just kept growing food to survive. They viewed the unicorns as leeches and the unicorns viewed them as slaves. Nopony knew much if anything about the pegasi; they were incredibly secretive back then.
Y : And what about the Alicorns?
Princess Celestia smiles fondly, her eyes still clouded, however.
[PC]: The Alicorns were the peace keepers of the land. We despised violence and only got involved in wars if it threatened the safety or lives of ponies. The other three races viewed us partly as gods, but luckily we didn't act 'high and mighty'.
Y : So how far east did you go?
[PC]: We traveled for a few days. I was able to keep track of the time by counting the minutes. It was incredibly boring.
Y : It must've been! How did you survive, mentally and physically? Surely you didn't carry THAT much food?
[PC]: Mentally, I just pushed on through. No, I didn't pack that much food. But luckily we came across a band of earth ponies and they were more than happy to invite us in for the night.
Y : Can you tell us what that was like?
Princess Celestia smiles again and a small tear runs down her face. She's been crying and smiling a lot; obviously her memories are painful and happy at the same time.
[PC]: It felt almost like home. They treated us like family, not like we were better or lower than them. It was the greatest feeling I had ever felt from ponies who I normally thought carried so much resentment.
Y : Was there anything more, besides being treated like a family member?
[PC]: Yes...A filly came and sat with me under the stars one night. I have this theory that fillies, regardless of race, are deeply connected with magic in some form or another. She came and just sat by me while I was lost in my depressing thoughts, and her presence just comforted me.
Y : That's an interesting theory. Do you think she knew that you were depressed?
[PC]: I do, but I have no proof.
Y : Let's fast forward to the morning; what happened then?
[PC]: The ponies woke us up and told us that they were leaving. I warned them not to head east, and if they saw Discord, to immediately head the opposite direction. After we said our goodbyes, we set out towards the Badlands again.
Y : Forgive me, princess, but the goal of this all is to get to know you better. You started to mention Flutter something but stopped as if you were horrified or saddened by the thought. It would be very helpful if you could tell us the truth about that.
Princess Celestia stares coldly at me, not glaring but with obvious frustration. I hold my ground the best I can.
[PC]: You remember the creatures that attacked Canterlot a short while back?
Y : Of course; the newspapers were riddled with stories about the Changelings.
[PC]: They weren't always like that, you know.
Chapter Four: The Changelings
[You]: Princess, what...I..I don't even know what to say.
[Princess Celestia]: Would you like to know the truth?
I stare at her, bewildered and stunned.
[PC]: The Badlands used to be called Fluttervalley.
[Y]: Where those butterfly-winged ponies used to live? But that's all just myths and legends...
My eyes wander around and sweat drips off my snout. I already know what she is going to say, but I'd be a lot more comfortable if she didn't voice it.
[PC]: Discord was heading to Fluttervalley to destroy the Flutterponies, or the butterfly-winged ponies as the myths describe them as. They were the second most powerful race in Equestria, and it was actually the combined effort of the Alicorns and the Flutterponies that created the Elements of Harmony-
I interrupt hastily, intrigued at the creation of the elements.
[Y]: You were there? What happened? About the elements, I mean.
[PC]: No, I was not there. The story is rather...Interesting.
[Y]: Pardon me, princess, but I'm heavily interested.
Princess Celestia gives a soft chuckle.
[PC]: Long before my time, before there were earth ponies, pegasus ponies, or unicorn ponies, there were Flutterponies and Alicorns. Like the Alicorns, the Flutterponies were incredibly peaceful; but had tremendous magic ability to fight if left with no other option. However, unlike the Alicorns, the Flutterponies remained neutral and only opted to protect themselves. When a huge dragon migration pack tried to take over their home one day, the Alicorns came to the rescue. As thanks, they not only formed a bond with my race, but they also gave us a gift.
[Y]: The elements of Harmony, I presume.
[PC]: There are several more elements than those.
[Y]: Will you ever cease to surprise me, princess?
[PC]: Probably not. The elements weren't as they are now. They were actual ponies back then. Only when they died did they become spirits that would take over the bodies of the wielders whenever the need arose. We were given the Elements of Harmony after we had proven that we would stand up for every pony in need. We were also given the Elements of War: Ambition, Rage, Courage, and Strategy to aid in our self-appointed duty of protecting the entire land.
[Y]: So what happened to those other elements?
[PC]: I wish I could tell you, but I really have no idea.
[Y]: That's very interesting, but we've gone off topic again, sorry. You were telling us about Discord and the Flutterponies.
[PC]: Yes, well, Discord understood the threat they posed and went to wipe them out next. When we got there...The valley wasn't that happy green place anymore. It was barren and rocky, the trees had all died and were just burnt logs now. And the Flutterponies...Well, you know what they became.
[Y]: Did you talk to them?
[PC]: I thought they had all been killed. Their bodies where black and they were all unconscious.
[Y]: Did you stick around?
[PC]: I couldn't. We were getting closer to Discord and I couldn't stand to watch the destruction any longer.
[Y]: Earlier you said you found out you had earned the right to wield the elements of harmony. How and when do you think this happened?
[PC]: I think it happened back at the earth pony camp, and when I realized I'd do anything to protect these ponies even though I barely knew them.
[Y]: And you were about to do a lot of protecting, weren't you?
[PC]: Indeed, I was.
((I stole the idea for the origin of the Changelings from TeaPartyCanon's story: Smoke and Mirrors. It's a great story, so check it out! http://www.fimfiction.net/index.php?view=category&search=smoke+and+mirrors
Chapter Five: The First Meeting
[You]: So when you finally caught up to him, what happened?
[Princess Celestia]: He was up on the dragon's mountain, and I'm not sure if he scared the dragons away or...Anyway, we had been climbing for hours when we finally reached him. He was just...Sitting there. Staring at us with this bored look on his face.
[Y]: Did he say anything?
[PC]: He said plenty. "Finally! Do you know how long I've been waiting for you stupid Alicorns?". Needless to say, I was shocked. I thought that he hadn't known about us, that we survived, but I was too angry to push that subject. Instead, I went to tackle him just as Luna was coming up the hill, Cadance on her back.
[Y]: You tried to tackle Discord. The draconequus.
[PC]: I was young and brash, give me a break.
[Y]: Sorry...Please, continue.
[PC]: Needless to say, he was prepared and quickly vanished from in front of me, reappearing behind me and next to Luna. "The night is boring, the sun is best, fight your sister or fail my test!" he chanted before tapping her on the nose.
[Y]: Luna was discorded?
[PC]: Yes, but she doesn't remember any of it.
[Y]: Did she fight you?
[PC]: Yes. She acted like his minion; obeying his every command and following up on where he said to hit me.
[Y]: And what about Cadance?
[PC]:
----WILL FINISH LATER---
