Prologue
Celestia looked across her land of Equestria. For so many years, conflicts had brought the world to the brink, and it was thanks to the wielders of the Elements of Harmony that it was saved. Beginning with the symbiotic Nightmare Moon, the Elements gave everything they had. But, one battle, their final battle, saw their end.
Six Years Ago...
The Element Bearers were in their latest battle against three villains that declared themselves, “The Triad of Evil.” The three were creatures that were all too familiar to the Bearers. One was a creature of ignorance, and loved herself. The second was a creature that used fear as a method of control amongst weaker creatures. The third, the most powerful, laughed at the burning world before him, reveling in the chaos of the world. It was the third that gave the first and the second their powers. And it was the three that began their war against Equestria. Celestia was overpowered and sent into a coma, clearing her as a threat to the Triad. Innocent lives were either lost, or corrupted to join the cause of the Triad. It was up to the Bearers to stop them. The war between them lasted for three long years. Three years of strife, three years of torture, three years of death.
The final battle lasted for days. The Bearers and the Triad hunted each other down, wearing each other out. Whether the fight was a show of strength or magic, it continued. Until it came down to the last day.
The land was burned from endless battle. The bodies of ponies laid dead beneath them. And the greatest enemy of Harmony, threatened to destroy everything. The Triad readied a blast that would secure their rule, while the Elements said their sad good byes to one another. They knew that they wouldn't fail, but they also knew this was their last day on Equestria. For them to be able to neutralize the Triad forever, they would need to throw down their lives.
But Celestia had awoken. She flew from her bed and into the sun to power herself up to full strength. The heat encircled her, warmed her, and more importantly, restored her. With her power back, she flew as fast as she could to the Bearers.
The Triad was about to strike what they believed to be a final blow against their hated enemies. Something happened however, that the Triad did not expect. The Bearers poured everything they were into the Elements of Harmony. Slowly, the Bearers disappeared into the Elements, consuming them whole. When they were all within their respected Elements, a beam of light hit the Triad. Celestia observed from afar, rushing as fast as she could to her Little Ponies. The Triad was swallowed up into the light, and the Elements went dark, turning into shining gems. Celestia landed and observed the scene. The Triad was defeated, but only at the highest of costs. Thousands of ponies laid dead, lands were burned, and the Bearers, including her star pupil, were assimilated into the Elements that they represented. The grief struck Celestia immensely, she was too late. Too late for all of them.
Celestia spent the next three years helping the land return to normal. Nature came back to the land, new ponies were born, but the populace was full of sadness. Sadness over the loss of life, sadness over the loss of faith. The Princess knew that something had to be done. She and her sister Luna, who was frozen in stone when the Triad first attacked, thought of a way to inspire the Ponies of the land once again. They knew that they couldn't sacrifice so many ponies to the Elements once again, so they condensed the Elements into smaller gems, enough for one creature to wear on his or her own.
They believe that one pony is enough to ensure that the Elements are represented accordingly. Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, and Magic. One Pony must represent all of these. One Pony, one Avatar.
~~~~~~~~~
You place the book down, titled “Equestrian History: Volume 4.” Much has happened in the recent years that has changed everything. Your family, that was once together and happy, is now separated by death and discord. You've had to do everything yourself, get a house, jobs, and support your little sister, Lizzy.
“Hey, are we going to have insta-hay again tonight?” you've had to resort to cheap knock off versions of real things. You nod to her as you begin frying the mix. “That's okay, I managed to get us some sandwiches while working at the bakery today.” Lizzy had been working part time in a small bakery called “P-Pie's” for a few months now. It was her own way of helping with the bills.
“So, do you think we can fly that kite I made?” the excited little filly asked. You smile, nuzzle her, and nod. “Yes!” She went to her room, making quite a ruckus, and returned with a purple kite. The two of you venture outside where a steady wind and clear skies awaited.
You venture across a dirt road when you come across the perfect field. Lizzy got her kite ready and took off. You find a tree where you take a seat to watch your little sister. Just as you do so, her kite took flight. You smile as you see the hard work your sister put in to the kite paid off. You did the work of putting the thing together, but she designed it. Moments like these were nice because between working and sleeping, you hardly got any time to spend with your sister.
“Come fly it with me!” she yells over to you. You get up, trot over to your sister, and hold her up. So much has happened, but for right now, everything was fine.
~~~~~~
Celestia and Luna were placing the finishing touches on their newest, and perhaps, most essential project. They had used their magic to create a symbol that was universally recognized. The symbol of Ankh, the Key of Life.
“Once it is completed, it will seek out one who is most worthy. It fills me with such excitement” Luna exclaimed. Celestia was too busy finishing her work. It was essential that the Key chose somebody who had the greatest capacity to wield the Elements. Someone who could also become a shining hope for the ponies of Equestria. Finally she finished, and the key glowed.
“At last. Get the other keys Luna.” Luna nodded and went off. “We need to send them off as soon as possible.”
~~~~~~
The day was finally ending, you and your sister were very tired. At that point, you could have collapsed on the ground and been satisfied with sleeping there. All of the sudden, bright lights shined in the sky and seemed to move all over the place.
“What are those things?” Your little sister asked. You didn't know, but one of them was moving closer to the two of you. It sped up and slammed you in the chest. You collapse over, feeling a burning sensation within your chest. “What's wrong? Are you okay?” your sister asked. The pain finally subsides, and you look down at your chest. A strange symbol was glowing on it. A key of some sort.
“So, you're one of the hopefuls then?” You and your sister hear a voice behind you. You look to see a rather old pony in a robe. He bows before you. “Then I suppose we should be getting you to Canterlot, huh Avatar?”
The old comes closer to you and lends you a hoof up. He smiles at you, visibly pleased at finding you.
“This is most exciting! I'm probably the first to discover an initiate!” The old pony continued to jump around in happiness. You look down at your sister, who looked amused by the antics of the old coot. He composed himself. “But where are my manners,” he cleared his throat, “my name is the One.” He took another bow. “I am the first of many Seekers, sent to find those worthy of becoming the Avatar.” He looked all across your body inspecting you. “And what is your name?”
You tell him your name which gets an excited squee from him.
“Interesting name indeed!” He went down to my little sisters level. “And what is your name little one?”
“I'm Lizzy, and you're weird.” The old pony chuckled.
“I know I am. HAHA!” His face of joy suddenly disappeared, and a face of grim replaced it. “Listen, you need to be in Canterlot by tomorrow night. Celestia is calling upon the finest ponies in the land, and you're one of them.” You shake your head in frustration.
“Listen, I don't know if you have a condition or anything, but I'm not the best in the land” you say.
“Ah, you're quite humble aren't you? Well maybe being showered with fame will change all that hmm?” You and your sister look at each other visibly confused. “Just show up in Canterlot in two days. We'll explain everything then.” He went off towards Canterlot. “Oh I knew I'd be the first. Everybody said I wouldn't be the first but Celestia did call me “the ONE” for a reason. Better than my other name. A good guide is never named Spoon.” With that he was gone. You look back to your sister and put her on your back and walk home.
“Are you going to Canterlot tomorrow?”
“I don't think I have a choice. Princess Celestia called for me, she's pretty much the boss of the land.”
“Well if she were a good boss, maybe she wouldn't have gotten herself in a coma.” Your little sister had a point. Celestia wasn't a beacon of hope anymore. She lost it when she was overpowered and knocked out. And because of this, thousands of ponies lost their lives, even those closest to you weren't safe.
“Celestia is a good Princess Lizzy, she's been trying to fix everything since the war ended.”
“But Mom, Dad, Thundercracker, and Holly are still gone. She's a goddess isn't she? Why doesn't she use her power to bring the ones lost back?” You felt a lump in your throat. There was no way to answer that without breaking her heart.
“She isn't all powerful Lizzy. All she can do is defend us.” You feel little droplets on the back of your neck.
“I miss them so much.” As you enter the house you make your way to your sisters room where you set your sister to sleep. You give her a big hug.
“Get some sleep kiddo. We're going to the capital tomorrow.” She looks up at you with a smile.
“I'm coming along?” You lightly bop her on the head.
“I can't leave you along here. Think of it as a mini vacation.” She snuggles up with her blanket and goes to sleep. You head to your room and look in the mirror. The symbol has moved from your chest to your cutie mark area.
“It took my Cutie Mark?” The Mark you previously had was now gone. But the symbol was now black, losing it's gold color. You close the door in your room and head towards the bed. You slump your head down on the pillows and slowly tear up. Life hadn't been particularly fair with you. Losing your family, surviving the war, working to support yourself and your sister, and just when you think you have it figured out, Celestia comes in and ruins it. You close your eyes and go to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You awaken in a green field with the sun shining down upon you. There's nobody else with you except for a gypsy with a table.
“Where am I?” you ask. She is playing with Taroh Cards.
“Where decisions are made of course. And there are some that you must make here. Allow me to ask you this, are you a boy or a girl?” You stand puzzled by that question.
“What are you talking about? Of course I am a -”
*Readers, vote A. for Boy and B. for Girl.
“Ah but of course you are. Now what type of warrior are you young one?” She places three different cards in front of you. “You can be the mighty Earth Pony Warrior. No creature can challenge your strength. Or you can be a mighty Unicorn Mage, your knowledge of the mystic arts cannot be compared. Or perhaps the role of the Pegasus Rogue suits you more? Sneaking and being clever is your way yes?” You look around at the cards, they are all great in their own way. But you can only be one, you choose...
*Readers, vote 1. for Warrior, 2. for Mage, or 3. for Rogue.
“I had a feeling you'd choose that one.” The gypsy got up and walked towards you. “This is the stars way of guiding you to who you will become.”
“And who is that?” you ask.
“The Avatar.” She touches your head and you wake up in your bed with a greater knowledge of skills at your command. It is still night outside, a beautiful night created by Luna.
“I think I'm in way over my head here.” With that you fall back asleep, thinking of what is to come.
