MLP: Harmony Fallen

Celestia sits at a desk within one of the private reading rooms of Canterlot Castle’s royal library. The small space smells of must. Old and rotten. The stain used for its walls gives off a vibe of weary drabness. Even the air within the room seems to be affected as it feels oily, making the feathers on her wings feel heavy.

She breathes in the humid air as she places a book on the desk. She gazes at its leather-bound cover, studying its chipping corners and its loosening binding. ‘The Elements of Harmony.’ She reads to herself. ‘Written by Star Swirl, Continued by Clover.’ Humming, she gently blows the dust off its surface.

“BIZZ!!!”

Celestia grumbles as she glares up at the light fixture overhead. She stares at the lonely lightbulb, studying its pulsing glow. Listening to its mind-numbing song each time a surge of electricity passes through its filament.

She huffs.

She never liked the invention. She found it needlessly complicated. Having to wire the whole empire to accommodate for it seemed like a waste of time. Well, to her at least. Her younger sister Luna felt otherwise, while her brother Terren was indifferent to the whole to whole thing.

“BIZZT!!!”

She shutters at the memories of tearing up old relics and historic locations just so they could replace oil-lamps for electric ones…

“BIZZ!!!”

Groaning, she rubs her brow at the base of her horn. “I hate them so much…”

Grumbling, Celestia opens one of the desk’s drawers and takes out an ivory tinted candlestick. Placing the candle on the desk she activates her horn and lights its wick. Watching the flame dance about, she smirks and she turns off the lightbulb with a pull of its chain.

Bathed in complete silence and with the glow of candle light filling the room. Celestia gives a pleased hum as she returns her attention back to the book.

‘June 7th 1647.’ The page begins. ‘Clover and I are on the eleventh day of our expedition into the Everfree Forest. I have to say the weather here is never a pleasant one… A lot as happened since I last wrote however. We discovered several new species of plants and observed some wildlife…’ The writing on the page is smudged, about a sentence worth, but the quality returns. ‘Blasted pain… We, I broke my arm… Fell down a small ravine. It was a hard fall, but Clover is a good medic… Patched me up good enough so we didn’t have to cancel out trip… But I have to say, the whole ordeal turned out to be a blessing in the end… Within a cave on the ravine’s floor we discovered a crystal tree and, on its branches, dangled six crystals of varying colors…’

“Still stuffing your face into that book?”

Celestia jerks in her seat at the sudden appearance of the deep voice. Composing herself she glances at the door to the reading room and sees her brother, and alicorn like herself leaning against the doorframe. His wings loosely hug his sides. His bright red-orange mane lays flat against the right side of his face.

He chuckles, sending a smug grin her way.

“Terren! Don’t sneak up on me like that!” Celestia groans.

He just ignores her cries. “I’m surprised that book is still together after all these years? Especially with how much you’ve read it today! I’d expected it to fall apart long ago.” He walks up to her desk and stares at the books worn parchment with a skeptical glare.

She rolls her eyes. “I’m glad you’re so caring…” She closes the book sending dust into his face. Stepping away, he shakes his head and rubs his snout with a hoof. Grunting a sneeze, he glares at her with his fiery orange eyes. Celestia holds a hoof to her lips. “So, how are you dear brother? What brings you from your chambers anyway?” She giggles.

“You know the answer to that question.” Terren huffs. “Luna thinks the elements will be released tonight and here I find you sitting in this drab room reading this book!” The moonlight shining through the library’s skylights highlight his ridged features. “I know you’re nervous about them, you read that damn book every time you or Luna think of them.” He shakes his head. “This is the tenth time you’ve read that book this day.”

Celestia blushes and she looks at the book. “You’ve been spying on me?” She picks it up with her magic and sits next to him. “You know that’s not a nice thing to do.”

They look up at the skylights, gazing up at the stars dotting the night sky.

“No…” Terren chuckles, “I just know my sister.” He gives her a cocky smirk. A smirk he’s trying way to hard to pull off.

Rolling her eyes, she leaves the room and heads for the library’s exit. One her way out however, she smacks Terren’s face with her tail, causing him to sneeze once again. Recovering, he follows her with a huff.

They walk down the main hall of the library in complete silence. Only the sounds of their hooves making contact with the tiled floor fills their minds as they pass many aisles of shelves filled to the brim with scrolls and books spanning ancient and modern Equestrian history.

Turning down one of these many aisles, Celestia makes her way to a particular shelf. Terren sits back and watches her slip the book into a secret compartment on the fourth shelf. “Will you ever allow our ponies to read that book?” He asks as he ears the compartment’s lock engaging with a sold click.

“In time dear brother, in time.” Celestia hums a she heads for the exit.

Terren follows.

Seeing the royals approaching, the royal night guard standing watch opens one of the library’s double doors. “Good night your highnesses.” He states with a bow. His bat-like wings spreading out as he bows.

They return the bow. “Thank you, Iron Wings.” Celestia smiles.

Iron Wings stands from his bow and closes the door behind them.

Cool springs air washes over the royals as they step outside the library. Their bodies shiver a bit as they look around. The castle is quite this night, well, except for the soft echoing hoof-steps of patrolling guards and late-night staff mulling about their tasks.

Celestia stretches her neck. A thought of a redesign for the library’s reading rooms swims through mind, but she puts those thoughts away. There were more pressing matters at hand.

“So, you think tonight will be the night?”

Speak the devil.

Celestia keeps quite as she mulls over Terren’s words. Her eyes never leaving the entrance to the tunnel connecting the other half of the castle grounds on the other side of the mountain face. “I’m not sure…” She finally answers.

Terren looks at his sister with a raised brow. “Not sure?”

Exiting the tunnel, they stroll through the royal garden along a slate-laden path. They enjoy the many smells of the flowers dotting the garden’s grassy fields. The soft gentle sounds of the river cutting through the garden towards the cliff edge. Stepping onto the small wooden bridge going over the river, Celestia looks over its edge at the gentle water flowing through the river.

“Why aren’t you sure?” Terren asks.

“Well…” She begins. “It’s been thirty years since the bearer of Loyalty passed away.” She looks at the willow trees hugging the river’s edge. “Usually there would be new bearers by now.” She frowns. “It worries me…”

“I guess the world has run out of good ponies.” Terren states in a snarky tone.

“Terren! Please!” Celestia huffs. “You know the elements! Their other half! The one I fear!” She sticks her hoof in his face. “You shouldn’t say those things!

“It’s a joke sister…” He rolls his eyes.

“A joke all too real!”

He tilts his head. “That was in the past!” She about to interrupt him but he puts a hoof to her lips. “A past that will not happen again!” He gives her a stern glare. His orange eyes glaring daggers into her soul.

She drops her protest and sighs in defeat. “Let’s head to the chambers of the elements… Luna is waiting for us…”

Terren watches her step off the bridge and towards a building at the other end of the garden. With a heavy sigh he follows after her.

Entering the main hall of the ‘Chambers of the Elements’, Celestia and Terren gaze up at six statues that stand in the center. The statues are made of marble and their bases of lapis-lazuli. The statues are of six ponies. They tower over all who gaze upon them. Their sitting posture and blank stares look down judging eyes.

These statues, theses ponies were the first ponies to bear the Elements of Harmony.

Celestia eyes their chests and sees the carvings of their elements and the shapes they took when bonded to them those centuries ago. With a hum she reads each of the statues’ plaques at their bases.

The first statue to her left is of Kepler, a unicorn stallion who bore the element of Generosity. The second statue to her left is of Knight Wing, a bat-pony stallion who bore the element of Honesty. The third statute to her left is of Gum Drops, an earth-pony mare who bore the element of Joy.

To her right, the first statue is of Clover, a unicorn mare who bore the element of Magic. The second statue to her right is of Axiom, a pegasus stallion who bore the element of Loyalty. The third statue to her right is of Copper an earth-pony stallion who bore the element of Kindness.

Bowing for the statues, she gives them a smile and heads towards the door leading to the room that houses the elements.

Terren only nods for the statues then looks at the walls on either side. Pictures of other element bearers that came after them adore the walls. Giving them a small nod as well, he follows his sister.

Entering the last room of the chamber, Celestia and Terren see their younger sister, Luna standing by a chest made of blacken iron laden with priceless gems over by the back wall. She eyes the chests and the six crystals floating within. The elements. Blue standing for Joy. Red standing for Loyalty. Green standing for Kindness. Yellow standing for Honesty. Purple standing for Generosity. White standing for Magic.

Sensing Celestia’s and Terren’s presence, the elements begin tapping against the glass of their cage.

“They seem to be active tonight.” Terren smirks as he walks up to the chest standing beside his sister.

“Hello brother…” Luna looks up. “And you too dear sister. Welcome!” She returns her attention back to the elements. “Yes, they are! You should’ve seen them a few minutes ago.” She taps the chest’s frame with her front right hoof. “I surely thought the glass would’ve given out!”

Celestia stands to Luna’s right. Sher stares at the elements, watching as they try to figure a way out of their pen. Their magical aura licking the glass, studying its structural makeup. “Maybe tonight is the night…” Her words are cut short as the elements vibrate violently against the glass, moving the chest forward by two inches.

The royals stare at the chest with wide eyes.

“Tia!” Luna gasps with excitement. “They’re ready! They have to be!” The elements simultaneously throw themselves against the glass, causing a loud ping the ring throughout the room. “Sister! Brother! We must release them!” She looks at her siblings with glee.

“She’s right. Its time dearest sister.” Terren puts a hoof on her shoulder. “They haven’t been this active in a long time.” The elements, frustrated with their situation, throw themselves at the glass one more. “CALM ELEMENTS!” Terren growls at the crystals. “Your time will come!” The elements let out a metallic hiss as a reaction to his words.

Celestia stares at the elements as they lick the glass with their aura once more. “I guess you’re right…”

“Tia!” Luna grabs her sister’s hoof. “Let’s open the chest!” She pulls on her arm.

Celestia pulls her hoof away. “Hold on sis…” She looks over her shoulder. “Guards!” She calls out.

Two guards rush into the chambers. “Yes, your highness?” They bow, speaking in unison.

Celestia affirms the bow with a nod. “Alert the guards and the castle staff. The elements will be released tonight.”

“T-Tonight!? Ow…” The guard to Celestia’s left sputters before the guard to her right smacks him upside the head.

“We will do so your highness.” The guard on the right replies, giving a bow before they both leave the chambers.

Not to long after they leave, the bells sound off, ringing their thunderous melodies throughout the castle. The Royals hear the growing rumbling of the castle coming to life as its staff and guards move about, preparing for the arrival of the Equestria’s new element bearers.

With the castle consumed in its task, Celestia turns her attention back to the elements. She sees that they’re glowing brighter than before. She can feel the heat radiating off the chest. “Luna?”

“Yes?” Luna smiles at her sister.

“Shall we?” Celestia smiles.

“Let’s!”

They stand over the chest and unlatch the lock… A shockwave reverberates throughout the room, shaking its foundation. The elements shoot out of chest, rocketing out of the chambers and into the night sky. Officials, guards and staff halt what they’re doing and look at the sky, staring in awe as they watch the elements soar across the sky.

Celestia, Terren and Luna step out of the chambers and on to the grounds of the garden. They look up at the night sky, watching the elements part ways, heading towards their destinations.

“Within the hour, we’ll have our new bearers.” Luna smiles.

“We should prepare ourselves, I’m sure their families will be in shock,” Celestia comments watching the elements’ colorful streaks fade into the night.

Terren laughs. “Shock, now that will be an understatement!”

The element of Joy flies through the warm night sky, over the high desert plains of the Appaloosa Basin. It passes the towns of Dodge Junction and Appaloosa, until coming up to the settlement of Rock Cove, a small geode mining village nestled in the foothills. Blinking in a rhythmic fashion the element of Joy soars down to its gravel streets and hovers quietly through the slumbering village.

Feeling the pull of a worthy individual, the element lets out a happy buzz as it flies towards the individual’s location. Arriving at the mouth of an alleyway, it enters and sees a two-story home nestled tightly in-between two other similarly sized homes. The home’s outside looked dilapidated due to its age. But it’s still standing, with some charm.

Twirling in place, the element of Joy floats up and flies through one of the open second-story windows.

Inside, the element finds itself in a small bedroom, a child’s bedroom due to the number of toys lying about. Further studying its surroundings, it sees a desk in the corner of the room by the window. A flat dresser sits under the window, its top just kissing the window seal. By the bedroom’s door is a toy-chest. Blinking, the element looks down as sees a queen-sized bed directly under itself. To its surprise, four earth pony fillies sleep under its covers.

Buzzing, the element hovers up to one of the fillies.

The filly it looks upon is no more than eight-years-old. Her fur is a bright pink. Her magenta mane, is long and straight like a razor’s edge. The element, hums at it watches the filly chew some of her mane. Hearing her let out a soft pleased moan, the element giggles. Blinking, it scans the filly’s aura. Feeling her spirt bursting with joy and wonder, the element shines brightly washing out the room in a brilliant blue hue.

The eldest of the fillies, stirs from the light. With a groan she sits up, rubbing her eyes. “Who turned on the light?...!” Her eyes go wide as she sees the element of Joy hovering over her baby sister. She stares in awe at the hot arching jets of blue electricity dancing across the element’s crystalline body. “MA!...?” The element hisses an ear-piercing melody, forcing her to cover her hears with her hooves. She stares in horror as it slams into her sister’s chest.

The element of Honesty hovers on the outskirts of Ponyville, where farmlands and orchards lay. Buzzing softly, it makes its way to an apple orchard. Stopping at the gate, it looks up at the sign overhead. ‘Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres!’. Blinking twice, it flies up to the porch of the humble plantation home and through a hole in the screen-door.

Inside, the element floats about the abode, eyeing the décor filling the living room. A fire burns weakly in the fireplace to its left. On its right a young earth pony couple sleeps on the couch. The stallion sleeps on his back, while the mare sleeps on his chest. Floating up to the couple, it scans them. Sensing the mare is eight months pregnant, it buzzes happily.

The mare stirs in her sleep.

Shutting itself up the element eases away from the couple and up the stairs.

Floating down the second story hall, it passes two other doors and turns right, entering into a medium sized bedroom. On either side of the bedroom is two twin-sized beds. Sleeping in the bed to the element’s right, is an earth pony colt no more than eleven-years-old. Sleeping in the bed to the element’s left is an earth pony filly no more than nine-years-old.

Floating up to the bed on the left, it looks down at the filly and studies her. The filly’s fur is a bright-cream-orange. Her wild mane a rich-blonde. Her round cheeks are covered in white freckles. Sensing that her spirit is filled with honesty and strength, the element shines bright, washing out the room in its yellow hue. Bright arching jets of yellow spark out from its core. With a high-pitched hiss, it slams into her chest.

The element of Generosity makes its way through downtown Ponyville. It weaves its way through the mass of Germanic-styled homes and shops dotting the hilly landscape. Coming up to a three-story apartment near the center of town, it zips around the building, scanning for an opening. Finding none, it buzzes a sigh. Not losing determination however, it flies up to the roof and hovers around the air-ducts. Using its magical aura, it lifts one the filters and slips in.

Traveling through the metal maze, it finally comes up the room of the pony it’s looking for. Gently opening the hatch, the element of Generosity enters the kitchen. Humming as it floats about, it slowly makes its way to a room and the end of the hall.

Entering the open door, the element sees that it’s is spotless, well, except for the desk in the corner of the room covered in art supplies. Eyeing the mass of paper, glue, glitter and crayons pilled on the desk, it hums. This pony for sure has a creative mind it thinks. Floating up to the bed at the end of the room by the window, it looks down at sees the pony sleeping in it is an eight-year-old unicorn filly. She sleeps soundly in her bed. Her spunky rich-purple mane lays flat against her face. Her white fur reflects the light of the moonlight shining through her window.

Feeling a strong connection to her spirit, full of giving, the element shines brightly, illuminating the room in a purple hue. Bright arching jets of purple spark out from the element’s core. Seeing the filly stir, her limbs moving under her sheets, it lets out a hiss and slams into her chest.

The elements of Kindness and Loyalty fly high over the grand cloud city of Cloudsdale, floating above the snow topped mountains of the north. The elements dive down and soar through the towering Roman-styled cloud skyscrapers as they head towards the city’s suburbs.

Bobbing about, the elements make their way to a home on a street corner. Studying the cloud constructed home they fly up to one of its windows facing towards the front yard. Peaking in they see three pegasus children sleeping by the coal-fireplace. Several boardgames, eaten snacks, black n’ white film reels and bulky film-projector surround them, like guards protecting a castle.

The elements look at one another and blink, buzzing happily.

With a poof the element of Loyalty makes it through the dense cloud wall of the home. Spinning around it blinks as it sees its companion is nowhere to be seen. Flying up to the window it looks out and sees the element of Kindness struggling to break through. Rolling its imaginary eyes, its flies through the wall once more and grabs its fellow element and pulls it through.

Shaking off the clinging cloud pits, they nod at one another and make their way on over to the trio sleeping by the fire.

Floating above them they studying each of them.

The child on their left is a pegasus filly that’s nine-years-old. Her canary-yellow fur contrasts vibrantly against her pink mane and tail. In the middle is a six-year-old pegasus colt. His dull aquamarine fur is fizzy from his content, pleasant dream. The child to their right is an eight-year-old pegasus filly whose sleeping on her back. Her sky-blue colored wings and limbs twitch about as she dreams her night away. The elements stare at her prism hued mane, wonder-stricken by its complexity.

They look at each other, blinking and buzzing all the while.

The element of Loyalty hovers over the prism maned filly.

The element of Kindness hovers over the canary-colored filly.

Both elements shine bright as they sense the strong connections to the fillies spirts. Their light consumes the room, illuminating it in a hue of red and green. Bright arching jets of red and green spark out from the elements.

“Kids… I told you to turn off the projector…!” A pegasus stallion with a prism mane like one of the fillies, states with a yawn. “You better get back… to… bed?!” He stares wide eyed at the scene in front of him. “Sweet Celestia!” His body goes numb as he watches the elements slam into the fillies’ chests.

The element of Magic flies through Equestria’s capital city of Canterlot. Its bright white magical aura leaves a soft, graceful trail of light across the midnight sky as it searches for the pony it seeks. Coming up to an eight-story apartment, the element flies up to the seventh-story. Blinking its flies to its right all they wat to end at the corner of the building. Looking through one of the corner windows it sees the pony in question. She’s a nine-year-old unicorn filly who’s sleeping soundly in her bed. Her purple mane is frizzy from her constant tossing and turning. Her lavender fur blends in with her bed’s navy-blue sheets. Several books surround her, forcing her to sleep on the left-side of her bed.

The element spins with glee at the filly’s hunger for knowledge.

Blinking rapidly, the element of Magic turns around and looks towards the horizon. In the distance the element sees five pillars of light appearing in the night sky. Red, blue, purple, green, and yellow. Blinking for each pillar, it looks back at the filly and lets out a hum. Touching the window’s glass-pane it teleports into the room.

The light coming off the element awakens the filly. She rubs her eyes and lets out a soft moan. “Daddy? Mommy?” She looks around, her eyes heavy. Looking up her eyes open wide as they look upon the element. “WHA?” She stares in wonder, excitement building within her. “It’s, it’s…” Feeling a strong connection to her spirit, magical aura flowing strong through her, the element of Magic shines brightly, washing the room out in a white hue. The filly puts her hooves in front of her, blocking her eyes from seeing the harsh light. Bright arching jets of white spark out from the element. Reaching the peak of its ritual, it slams into her chest.

Celestia stares at the element of Magic watching as it develops its pattern over the chest of the filly its bonded to. Moving her gaze from the element she eyes the wires taped to the filly’s arms and neck. The bulky mechanical beeps of the heart monitor dance in her ears. The soft dripping of the iv echo back to her.

“Your highness?” A doctor wearing a blue medical shirt speaks, bowing before her.

“Y-Yes?” She asks, her gaze never leaving the filly.

“I wanted to let you know that the children are stable, but it is unclear when they’ll awaken.” The doctor picks up several folders from a nearby table. “I have to say the elements did a number on them…” He glances at the filly she’s looking at and sighs. “Should I tell their parents?”

“No…” Celestia looks at the doctor. “There is no need. We’ll tell them ourselves.” She smiles. “Return to your chambers for the night. You’ll need the rest.” The doctor bows and heads out of the recovery room.

Terren who’s watching the six fillies with a dull expression from the corner of the room, finally speaks. “So?” He stands up and walks up to Celestia and Luna. “What do the two of you think of our new element bearers?” He looks at the element of magic, watching its pulsing glow.

“I find it interesting that the elements have chosen children of all ponies.” Luna quips as she stares at the filly bonded to the element of Loyalty, with a smile. “However,” Her smile goes flat. “I can’t think of why they would?”

Terren sighs as he looks at the filly bonded to the element of Honesty. “Well, all I know is that it’s going to take longer to train them into Equestria’s defenders.” He looks at the filly bonded to the element of Joy. “But I do prefer a blank slate…” He looks at Celestia. “What do you make of it?” Celestia doesn’t respond. “Celestia?” Terren huffs.

“I’m concerned…” She finally looks at her siblings. Her eyes are drenched with tears. “What are the elements thinking?! Young minds are easier to corrupt!”

Luna rolls her eyes. “But sister, them being young is a good thing!”

“What!” Celestia shouts in horror.

Luna cowers from her tone, but recovers none the less. “Sister, hear me out… With them being so young, their minds will consume all that we teach them without question.” She smiles, working up the courage to near her sister. “Think of the possibilities.”

“P-Possibilities?!” Celestia narrows her eyes.

Luna gives her a half-hearted smirk. “With them so young, they’ll have an advantage! They’ll start at a younger age, developing their skill sooner than their other bearers of the past. Develop a stronger bond with their elements. They’ll be the greatest element bearers Equestria has ever seen!”

Celestia looks at her sister in shock. “Luna!” She sits down, running a hoof through her mane. “I don’t doubt that, but…” A wave of anger washes over her. “You know of the elements’ dark side!” She stomps her hoof against the tile floor. “Don’t be so naive!”

Its Luna’s turn to let out a growl. “Tia! I know of their dark side. We all do, but with our teachings and indoctrination, they’ll succeed!” She stomps her hoof in return.

Celestia shakes her head. “Luna…” She looks at her brother. Tears pour from her eyes. “Terren tell her she’s wrong!”

Terren looks at his sisters. His face stone cold and emotionless. Glancing at the fillies. Granted young minds were easier to corrupt, but he thinks maybe this time it will be different… He lets out a sigh. “I have to agree with Luna.”

“What?” Celestia looks at her brother in disbelief.

Terren looks into Celestia’s eyes. “Young minds are easier to corrupt, I give you that, but like Luna said, with our guidance, they’ll become the strongest element bearers… Heck, they might even match our magical strength.” Celestia eyes tremble as her mind soaks his words. Not being able to speak, she lowers her head in defeat. With a sigh, Terren places a hoof under her chin and lifts her head. They look into each other’s’ eyes once again. “I know you're worried, but let the past go. This stress you’re bringing upon yourself will only drive you mad!”

“But…”

“But nothing!” Terren frowns. “The past you fear so much will never happen again! Honestly Celestia, after three-hundred-and-fifty-years of element bearers, not one of them has ever turned ever since… Then. And it will never be so!” He lowers his hoof and walks to the door. “So, drop this childish fear and act like the mare you are!”

Luna looks at her brother with a raised brow. “Um… That was a little harsh…”

“No… It wasn’t Luna...” Celestia looks at her brother. “He’s right, every time new bearers are chosen, I let worry overtake me… It’s stupid really… I’m just…”

Terren sighs. “It’s time to let go of that part of your life.” He gives Celestia a playful smirk. “Leave it to the dust of history.” He waves his right-front hoof out in front of him.

“Yes… Leave it to the dust of history…” A sly masculine voice chuckles.

The Royals look to their left and see the head of a grey furred pony hovering over the filly bonded to the element of Kindness. “Discord! What are you doing here?” Celestia huffs.

Discord looks back at her and sighs dramatically. “Oh, Celestia why so rude?” His whole body materialzes. His an earth-pony. He rolls his bright yellow eyes as he hovers over to Celestia. “You know tonight is a momentous occasion!” He strokes his white beard with his left front hoof. His short white mane and tail flapping about as he overs around her. “You shouldn’t be rude to your guest.” He pokes her stout with a hoof.

Celestia moves her head away. “What are your plans?” She huffs giving him a disapproving frown. “Already have plans to taint their young minds?”

Discord rolls his eyes as he gingerly floats on over to the filly bonded to the element of Honesty. Placing his hoof on the element, he lets out a drawn-out sigh. “No…” The element glows. “You know I’m the god of chaos. I pull harmless pranks on ponies and make some of their lives a little chaotic… Oh! There, I said it…” He giggles. “So, no… I’m not here to do what you think I’m going to do!” He smiles as he removes his hoof from the element. With a laugh, he floats on over to the filly bonded to the element of Magic. “I just want to see who will be Equestria’s new protectors.” He watches as the element of Magic grows over the filly’s chest like the roots of a tree.

“Are you finished?” Terren asks as he watches the god stare at the filly with his yellow eyes.

“Almost!” Discord holds up a hoof as he’s drawn to the filly bonded to the element of Loyalty. He stares at her prism mane. He chuckles. ‘What a strange mane color…’ He messes with his mane, ruffling it to cause it to turn prism as well. The royals look at the god with raised brows. Not liking the look, he turns his mane back to its original color. Looking at the royals, Discord smiles. “They’re so young! It will be easier to indoctrinate them. I bet you’re thrilled!” He laughs.

Terren and Celestia look at each other uncomfortably. Luna however, walks up to the earth pony. “Yes, yes we are. These will be Equestria’s finest element bearers the world has ever seen!”

Discord smiles at the young royal and rustles her flowing sapphire mane. “They will indeed…” He teleports next to Terren and Celestia and pulls them into a hug. “Well I’m off, I have some ponies to mess with over in Manehattian.” He teleports outside the room. Manifesting a top hat and cane he smooshes his face against the window and waves them a goodbye before teleporting to his destination.

The royals stare at the window for a few seconds before tearing their gaze from the glass back to their new element bearers. “Well, we should tell their parents that they are well.” Celestia quips heading out of the room. Luna follows.

Terren stays put.

“Aren’t you coming, brother?” Luna asks.

“No… I’ll stay, just in case they wake up.” With a nod, his sisters leave. Alone, Terren listens to the heart monitors sing their melody. Each filly sleeps the night away. Their elements slowly fusing themselves to them. But soon the quite atmosphere begins to fade as a soft moan leaves the lips of the lavender colored unicorn filly. Her face contorts into a pained frown. Terren walks up to the filly and looks down at her, watching her element flicker. “Show your worth filly! Show your worth…”