Rise of Harmony

‘One... Two... Three!’ Serena called. At that the two younger ponies burst into running towards the husk of a tree that marked the finish line. This would make the fourth consecutive race, but fun was scarce and the children would take what entertainment they could get. Their mother watched with a smile, her ears twitching as she heard the sounds of hooves clipping the ground behind her. She turned to see the girl’s father Cantor approach.

‘What are they doing?’ He demanded, his voice gruff but still carried with an air of superiority.

‘They’re having fun.’ She answered. ‘It’s what children do.’

‘You shouldn’t be teaching them to waste time.’ He said. His deep blue mane rippled as he straightened up and he caught the young ponies’ attention with a flash from his horn. Both of the girls turned to see and instantly knew they were in trouble. Their mother could only protect them so much, but their father was adamant that they should devote their lives to the study of magic.

‘Dad.’ The elder said, slinking closer. ‘We’re sorry. Her violet mane obscured her eyes and horn as she kept herself low. Her sister followed close behind, a mauve pony with her father’s blue mane.

‘You should be.’ He replied sternly. ‘You are unicorns, and the future depends on your abilities. Why aren’t you practicing your magic?’

‘We got bored.’ The elder replied. ‘I’m real sorry Dad.’ She looked up at him with her large golden eyes and his heart softened if only slightly.

‘Well, get back to it.’ He said. ‘Your mother and I will be back shortly.’ And with that, the two of them left their children in the barren clearing where they had been playing.

‘Okay.’ Stella said. ‘I’ll try offensive, you do defence right?’

‘Why do I always have to defend?’ Nova protested. ‘You always hit me too hard.’

‘That’s how you get strong!’ Stella said, grinding her hoof on the ground. ‘Remember what dad said? We need to be strong for when we grow up, or in case...’ She trailed off, unwilling to complete the sentence.

‘Just let me go first this time. Please?’ Nova begged. Stella sighed and rolled her eyes.

‘Fine. You go first.’ Stella conceded, before walking a dozen paces and turning around. She braced her hooves into the ground and looked back at Nova with a daring look in her eyes.

‘Okay...’ Nova breathed deep before mimicking Stella’s pose and channelling energy into her horn. ‘I hope you’re ready for this!’ She added as much to the charge as she could before unleashing the ball of raw magic energy towards where her sister stood ready to defend.

The blast seared the air and ground beneath as it travelled, covering the distance between the two young fillies in less than a second. Stella caught the blast with an outburst of energy from her own horn before promptly dispelling it.

‘Go again!’ Stella called, panting slightly from the effort but still able to continue.

‘Right!’ Nova nodded, once more bringing to bear as much magic energy as she could. Once more Stella managed to dispel the attack.

‘One more!’ Stella called, the strain evident in her voice. ‘Give it everything you’ve got!’

‘Here it comes!’ Nova replied. She began to tense with the concentration, breaking into a roar of focus as she unleashed the most powerful blast she could muster. Instantly Stella knew she would never be able to dispel the attack and instead simply focused on deflecting it. The blazing fireball of magic energy was redirected into the sky, where it fizzled for a few minutes before being lost from view.

Stella was unable to keep her feet, dropping to her knee and looking back at her younger sister. Nova had been exhausted in the exertion of such energy and fallen to the ground. ‘Nova!’ Stella struggled to rise and trotted over to where her sister lay struggling for breath. ‘Are you okay?’

‘I’ll be okay.’ Nova panted. ‘Just let me... catch my breath...’

She had barely uttered the words before her fatigue overcame her and she fell into a deep sleep. Stella laughed softly and settled down beside her.

* * *

‘Are you ready?’ Serena asked. The gathered unicorns turned to her and she lowered her head apologetically for interrupting.

‘Of course!’ Cantor whispered tersely. The two of them took their place at the rear of the palace’s audience chamber, before dropping tot their knees and beginning to concentrate. In the centre of the chamber was the unicorn queen, and it was she who formed the focal point for the spell. It was a full ten minutes of focus before the spell reached its climax and the light faded from the room.

With a small speech of thanks, the queen dismissed her gathered subjects and retired to her bedchamber with her closest aide. As Cantor and Serena made to leave, they were approached by a unicorn of blue coat and grey mane. His features spoke of age and wisdom and his mane flowed into a beard that drooped almost to the floor.

‘Good... Evening, Lord Starswirl.’ Cantor greeted the elder nervously. Serena offered a curt bow but remained silent.

‘Good evening to you both.’ Starswirl smiled warmly. ‘Might I make a request of you? I have a matter of import that I must see to, and I believe you to be the most adequate ones to render assistance.’

‘Of course Lord.’ Cantor replied, shuffling slightly as a group of unicorns moved past him to exit the building.

‘Excellent.’ Starswirl nodded. ‘Then I will ask that you meet me in my tower in an hour and a half’s time.’ With that the venerable old wizard turned and left, allowing the parents to return to their two young foals.

‘What do you suppose the old wizard wants?’ Serena asked.

‘I wouldn’t know.’ Cantor replied. The two of them slowly approached the place where the fillies had been left to train, both smiling softly at the sight of the two sisters asleep together. ‘But I am always willing to help him. He’s been nothing but good to us all.’

‘True.’ Serena answered.

As the two of them approached the entrance to the tower that served as the wizard’s residence and observatory, they were both struck by the same feeling of awe that accompanied every visit. They stopped short at the tower doorway and waited. There was no need to knock, somehow Starswirl always knew when he had visitors. As was expected it was a matter of moments before the door swung open seemingly of its own accord and the two entered.

Before them was an antechamber preceding a spiral staircase leading to the upper chambers of the tower. Cantor had once asked the old pony why he insisted on dwelling so elevated, to which Starswirl had replied it was better to observe the skies from as high a vantage point as possible. As the two climbed, they kept silent, not wishing to speak in this place out of some kind of eerie unexplainable fear.

When at last they reached the top, they entered into the wizard’s main laboratory where the bearded equine was taking notes on star patterns. The quill lowered to the pot as the unicorn’s horn ceased glowing and he greeted the two visitors with a warm smile.

‘Welcome Sir Cantor, Lady Serena. Does the night treat you well?’ Starswirl asked, approaching the two.

‘As always, Sir Starswirl.’ Serena answered. ‘The days of the Windigoes plague us no more.’

‘Ah yes, peace has come between the tribes.’ Starswirl mused. ‘The fledgling nation of Equestria is growing, but she is still vulnerable to threats from within and without. The internal threats we can resolve, but what of the dangers that are beyond our control?’

‘You’re speaking of dragons, hydras and the like correct?’ Cantor asked. ‘Creatures that the pegasi would not be able to reliably fight back against?’

‘Indeed.’ The wizard answered. ‘We require a more reliable defence. Something that can defeat the forces of disorder and bring about harmony. So I ask the two of you, what embodies harmony?’

The two unicorns were silent for a time. The elder wizard Starswirl waited patiently as the two lost themselves deep in thought, trying their hardest to find the most adequate term to define what harmony actually was.

‘It is a very difficult question.’ Cantor spoke at last. ‘I would say there’s no specific trait that wholly embodies harmony. Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity. All of these I would say are required.’

‘Don’t forget Kindness.’ Serena interjected. ‘I would also add Laughter. All these things mean little in a world without joy.’

‘Very true.’ Starswirl nodded, smiling triumphantly. ‘You have given me exactly the information I needed. However, there is something further I must ask of you.’

Serena and Cantor exchanged a confused glance before turning back and slowly nodding to his request.

‘I wish to become the tutor of your young daughters.’ Starswirl said simply.

The two parents were speechless for a few moments. Serena’s jaw dropped in surprise before she composed herself and managed to ask the most prominent question. ‘Why? Don’t get me wrong Lord, I am flattered but I can’t help but ask why you are so interested in Stella and Nova?’

‘The future belongs to the young.’ Starswirl responded. ‘While the pegasi will train their warriors and the earth ponies will build their cities and farms, ultimately the balance of the world itself, the night and the day, falls to the unicorns. Such is a heavy burden, and I would like to know for sure that the unicorns of tomorrow are up to the task. These five elements of Harmony you just described. Who better to instil them within than the children correct?’

Cantor stepped forward with a look of suspicion on his face. ‘I can understand your logic, elder. But do not think me so naive as to not see that you have more reason than this. Why is it Stella and Nova specifically they you are interested in?’

‘Very well.’ Starswirl nodded. ‘I will tell you. As you both know, it is my task to ensure the strength of the royal lineage. While I’m sure we all have faith in Queen Platinum, it is a sad truth few will acknowledge the lack of virtue her son has come to possess.’

Cantor held his tongue at this but Serena nodded softly. It was not a great secret that the young prince was unusually lacking in magical ability despite having come of age.

‘While I have tutored the lad, indeed studied him as well to try and divine the cause for his weakness, it also falls to me to ensure our future is entrusted to an individual strong enough.’ The wizard explained. ‘To that end, I wish to train both of your daughters and select the stronger of them to inherit the throne.’

‘Is our fair Queen Platinum aware of this?’ Cantor demanded.

‘Our fair queen is aware of little these days.’ Starswirl replied bluntly. ‘As much as I would love to breach the topic of loyalty, my first priority must be to the wellbeing of the tribe, and by extension the wellbeing of Equestria itself!’

Serena and Cantor once more looked at each other with concerned expressions. What the wizard was proposing could be construed as treason and though the whole of Equestria would not think too harshly on them, those still loyal solely to the Queen of Unicorns would likely seek retribution. All three present knew that if they went ahead with this, they would be in grave danger.

‘Please understand.’ Starswirl began. ‘I would not suggest this if I wasn’t convinced that it was our only option. Stella or Nova, I have no doubt either of them would be a powerful and wise ruler. But for this, they must be thoroughly prepared. I will take full responsibility for this, all I ask in return is that you allow me to take the chance.’

Again there was a pause. This time however it was Cantor who broke the silence. With the same small nod from Serena, Cantor nodded in return before meeting the elder unicorn’s gaze. ‘We will agree to your plan Starswirl. May the gods have you in their favour.’