The Gifts and Consequences
6 figures stood on the side of a cliff looking outwards, gazing into the far distance. 6 figures whose actions would soon come to shape the very world itself. 6 figures whose actions on this day would echo throughout eternity.
Before them, stood the vast open world, newly created by a Goddess, who had done all of this just for them. Light shone through glorious white clouds upon a world untouched by both the Civilized, and the Animalistic.
Plains that stretched on for thousands of miles, bathing the world in green, were contrasted by oceans of pure blue, and mountains of grey and white. Not a single one of them could imagine what splendors, what glories, what wonderous futures they could look forwards too.
The 6 figures turned their heads to the skies to see a sun of yellow and orange which bathed them in warmth and light. The sun was in the horizon to the far west, just about to set below a sea of blue. Directly behind them to the east, did a silver moon rise, bringing a uniform light, so that all may remember that even in darkness, did the Goddess love her creations.
"Hark my children," came the voice of the Goddess, regal and loving. No hint of malice or hate. It was soft. Soft enough to calm even a the most rabid of beasts. "I wish for you to listen to my words."
A light appeared before the 6, it was bright, brighter than even the sun itself, and yet, the 6 could stare into it as much as they wanted with no fear of pain or damage.
"You 6, my most prized creations will be the ones to rule this world. The ones who will be the main inhabitants of this world, which I give to you." She said lovingly. "And you 6, you wonderous 6 have not disappointed me, nor could you ever disappoint me. As such, I will give each of you, and the races that are made in your images, a gift that will shape your histories forever. But these gifts will come with a price. One that will forever shape yours, and your children's destinies. Chose wisely."
First to step up was a pony. Their white fur and golden mane glinting thanks to the Goddesses light. The Pony was the first to be created by the Goddess, and thus it was only right that it would be the first to receive a gift. "I wish," The Pony said, "to wield unparalleled magics, and to forever have the ability to soar amongst the heavens. Wings and Magic are what I desire most."
The Goddess mulled over this request for a second before, in a flash of light, the Pony now had two wings and a single horn that emerged from it's forehead.
"I grant your wish child, but your cost will be large. Your race will be split in three. Some will hold the ability to use the magic you request, more will be given wings, and more still will have neither. Your people will face much adversity due to this change, and the divide will cause great trouble for your people."
Next to step forwards was a Gryphon. They stood tall, their brown feathers flowing in the wind. With the eyes of a lion it stared towards the Goddess. "I wish for my people to have the eyes of eagles, so that we may see the wealth of the world, that you have made, and use it for the betterment of all." They said.
Once again the Goddess mulled over the request, before once again, in a flash of light, the Gryphon stood, now with the eyes of an Eagle, rather than those of a lion.
"Your people now see all, but they will now find their greed to be their most known feature. Your people will be divided, even more so than your siblings, for unless they can be united, they will forever be subservient to their desires." She said to the Gryphon.
Next came a Dragon, whose scales reflected the light of their mother. "I wish for my people to forever hold flames within them. For them to have the strength to always protect themselves, against all threats!" The Dragon exclaimed.
This time there was no hesitation from the Goddess, she simply laughed at the Dragon's eagerness, a loving, kind laugh. "Very well. Your people will have the fires of strength within them, but be warned, fire within your chest, can often lead to fire within your mind. Your people will be strong but also, hot headed."
Next to step forwards was a Hippogriff. The Hippogriff's silvery feathers and fur positively glowed in the light of the Goddess. "I wish for my to have an artifact, one that will bring pride to our people, and one that will keep us safe so that we may always be free." Their voice was full of pride and joy. It was clear that they, and their race would always value their freedom, be that in the sky, or in the depths of the sea.
The Goddess reached out with her power to the darkest parts of the sea floor. She pulled from the depths a sea clam which she held before the Hippogriff. The Clam opened it's mouth and the Goddess held a pearl out for the Hippogriff, it soon grew in size and power when he touched it.
She then raised the clam into the air and a single bolt of lightning roared down from the heavens and struck the clam, causing it to immediately change form, into a beast with white hair and dark grey skin. "I grant your wish, but know that one day, in the future, your freedom will be challenged by this beast." The creature then disappeared in a bolt of lightning.
Next came a yak, who was large as he was hairy. "I wish for my people to forever be strong and independent. I wish for us to be able to survive in the harshest climates, and thrive no matter what." The Yak said stomping his hooves.
The Goddess nodded quietly. "Of course. However, with great strength, intelligence declines. Your people will be head headed, in both sense of the word." The Yak nodded. It wasn't going to have it any other way. In it's mind, it would rather be strong then smart.
Finally, was the youngest of the Goddesses creations. A Changeling slowly stepped forwards, timidly. It looked over to it's siblings, who stared back with fear or disgust at the Changelings appearance. The Changeling looked down at it's hooves and nervously licked it's fangs.
It stared up at the Goddess, who stared back expectantly. Then it spoke. "I wish for my people to be able to change form so that we may always be loved."
The Goddess was quiet. For what seemed like an eternity no one spoke, until the Goddess finally broke the silence.
"What you wish for will perhaps have the greatest consequences of all. One that will forever effect your race, and make them forever changed. I will give you a chance to reconsider, but know that what ever you decide upon will be permanent, but you will still have my love." She said, her voice full of care.
"I want this mother." The Changeling suddenly said, which shocked even the Goddess, who had not been called mother ever. "Love is all I want."
The Goddess suddenly smiled at the changeling, it was half sad and half happy. "Very well my child, your kind will forever be able to change their shape, but know this, you will not be able to eat the foods of this land, your fate will forever be in the hands of your siblings, for love is what will sustain your kind now."
The Changeling nodded at the Goddess.
"Now go my children, the world is yours." The Goddess said, before she disappeared. The Siblings, with smiles on their faces turned and walked in separate directions. The world was theirs, and they would not pass up on the Goddesses creations.
