Forging Harmony Arc 1; Creating the Elements

Chapters

Prologue: In a Land Before Harmony
Scene 1 Act 1: Crystal Springs
Scene 1 Act 2: Sunshine in the Forest
Scene 1 Act 3: Seule dans le Noir
Scene 1 Act 4: Tangled Vines
Scene 2 Act 1: Crystal Clear Truth

Prologue: In a Land Before Harmony

To the equines of the world, Equestria is a special place. It is a peaceful land, where conflict is usually minor. It is a place where warfare is nonexistent, and often quickly suppressed. It is a place where all three races live in peace, thriving not on their rivalries, but on their partnerships. In over 1000 years of rule, Princess Celestia was capable of maintaining peace and prosperity across the land. What many don't know however, is that this peace came at a price. More than once did Celestia almost lose her life. More than once did chaos and misery sweep over the land. More than once did she almost lose everything.

Nowadays, the Princess of the Sun often watched her subject from a castle balcony. Seeing them live free and prosper always brought tears to her eyes, and subconsciously spread salt over those old wounds, concealed by centuries gone by. To her, adopting Twilight into her school, many years ago, meant something bigger, something nopony could've ever suspected. it meant recovering something she had long lost. It meant being given a second chance to make things right again.

A gentle breeze blew by, caressing her snow white coat. She closes those timeless eyes of hers, leaving her mane swaying in the wind. She reminded herself of the greater truth behind her disciple Twilight's first adventure.

***

One calm summer evening, in a small town of Ponyville, Celestia's banished sister Luna, now under the alias of Nightmare Moon, shattered the tranquil atmosphere, and proclaimed eternal night. She promptly imprisoned her own sister out of revenge, angry at what she had made her suffer.

What she had forgotten however, was the sorrow behind Celestia's decision. Nightmare Moon had little to no memories of what truly happened then, neither did the Equestrians as a whole. In the end, it was all because her older sister made sure to conceal the scars of her decision in public. Yet, every night for the past thousand years, Celestia cried herself to sleep, often unable to live with what she had done. There was much more to her actions, yet only she knew, locking it away inside her unknowingly fragile heart.

Hidden beneath her indifference and bold nature were the faces of six ponies, long forgotten by time. One could only imagine her excitement seeing Twilight and her friends using the Elements of Harmony to purify her sister. What Twilight didn't know back then, and still doesn't now, is that she was there when they forged them. She was there when a plague decimated her kingdom. She was there when her own sister threatened to impale her on the castle walls. She was there when Discord broke her heart, and undid everything she had fought so hard for. She was there when they sacrificed their own lives, just to save the uncertain future of her kingdom.

To mere mortals, these events have been buried deep beneath the sands of time. To Celestia however, it only seemed like yesterday, when she met her first ever "beloved disciple".

Scene 1 Act 1: Crystal Springs

I could feel my heart beating through my chest. There was just so much adrenaline coursing through my veins. I sat there, outside the examination room, ready to show Celestia all I had. I had to succeed. The village had been hit by the plague, and we were all ill and famished. Brother and I figured if I could become Princess Celestia's disciple, maybe we would have a chance.

Canterlot was a small place built over a forest. Already, just walking here, I saw unicorns dumping trash into the streets, which were poorly built. Everywhere I stepped, I had to watch out for incoming trash, or cracks in the road's foundation. It reeked of vomit and rotten swamp water. The bricks themselves felt squishy, and of poor quality. Not that I would've ever know what "high-quality bricks" would feel like. Terrible times were ahead of us. Rumor has it the neighboring nations were preparing an uprising, in the hopes of throwing over Celestia.

She wasn't a bad ruler, so to speak. Personally, I think she's far too young to be a ruler. We've had alicorns before, but now they're all gone. Nopony knows why. All we wanted were results.

On my way here, I couldn't help but feel unwelcome. I looked too good, even for a mare. My mane was pale and royal blue, the colors swirling into one on my head. Most of the mares in my family were born in a white coat, and I was certainly no exception. Nothing about me screamed fragile or weak, but it didn't spell strong and independent either. I had a hard time trotting my way here. Guess some wounds just don't heal. Again, I heard clashing steel, a high note being blown in a horn, and cries of warning, telling us to run.

Brother and I thought maybe we could at least make things better back home. I offered to join the Princess' school of mages, while he would risk his life on the battlefield. A part of me wanted to object. Sadly, nothing could be done. If we were to die anyways, why not go out in a final blaze of glory? Yet, I cried whilst walking. I cried over the bodies of our parents, and those who burned in the flames of that day. I cried over the ashes of our home. I cried over what could have been. I cried over my former self, lying on the ground dead. We couldn't turn back now. Not like this. Not without bringing glory and honor home with us.

Finally, somepony called my name. "Are you Crystal Springs?" I nodded. "Please step over here." I obeyed. "Now then, before I ask you anything, show me what you can do. A simple spell would suffice." She placed an apple in front of me. "Do what you want with in." I didn't hesitate for one second. A glacial white beam came bursting out my horn, slicing the fruit in half, freezing its insides.

"It's nothing big, just a simple ice spell." They wrote down notes on their parchments.

"Please proceed to the next room. Once inside, stand in the individual stable slot." I nodded once more. Once in my place, a small gate shut behind me. "Alright then! Everypony is inside!" I heard some announcer shout. A buzz was heard across the area. We fell through a trap door, and into some sort of arena.

A gruff voice echoed through the stadium-like place. "Celestia doesn't have time to personally test you all, so we decided to make things quick and easy. And only the one who survives passes!"

Scene 1 Act 2: Sunshine in the Forest

It was getting late already. Whenever I take care of my animals, I always lose track of time. My mother is calling me already. Her voice trails in the wind, chanting a soft melody. It is like music to the ears of my little friends. I join her, whistling. Soon after, we were both singing that familiar tune, passed down from generation to generation.

My family never left the forest. I don't blame them. I have been outside just once, and it was already too much. It was a place riddled with disease, hunger, and savage violence. They loved getting off the terror, slaughtering without hesitation just so they could grab some riches. I couldn't save them... I was too afraid... Never again did I leave the woods. That night, I ran home, bawling waterfalls from my eyes. Mother caressed me, holding me tightly in her lap. I felt her embrace, her hooves rubbing my golden coat and orange mane.

"Sunshine... May your kindness rain on the people, like the eternal sun's rays..." After that, she sung a lullaby. It sounded so familiar. I remember now... I heard both my parents sing it together that one time... Yes... That was after my father left the forest. He never came back alive. A friend to our clan carried his battered corpse all the way back into our woods. I was so young back then... Of course, I cried, but not just for him. I cried for my innocence, as it was lowered into the ground with my father's corpse.

Tonight, mother prepared some warm carrot soup. We were to visit other families, living deeper within the woods. Everything we needed could be found in the forest. Here, everything was pure, untouched by the diseases of the outside world. I thanked her as she handed me a bowl. I held it tightly between my hooves. It was warm. It felt so cozy. I closed my eyes for a second, sipping the warm liquid. It coursed through my body, melting the chills of a hard day's work.

"Mother," I asked, "why is the outside world so cruel?" She shook her head, and sat down next to me. "Darling," she began, "tough times are ahead of us. You've been outside, and you know how disgusting of a world it is. You know what happened to your father, right?" She sat there, silent. I didn't dare speak a word either. "I don't want to lose you as well." She rubbed her hoof off the side of my face. I wanted to speak, but couldn't gather enough courage to do so. In truth, I had no idea how my father died; I just know he did.

"Come on darling; let's bring the crops to the other families." I stood on my hooves, ready to transport the load. Just yesterday, there was a violent thunderstorm. I feared the leaves may still be wet, and the trees too weak to hold their grounds. I stretched my wings. They didn't serve much in this life. They were no more than a hindrance to my daily work.

"Alright mother; I am ready to go." Just like that, we were off, carrying our load on our backs. About an hour later, we finally arrived at another home. It was a small cabin, made of pinewood logs, with small clouds of white smoke puffing out their limestone chimney. We knocked. An old mare greeted us at the door. Her coat was a soft, subtle grey hue. Her eyes felt very welcoming, yet I still turned away, too afraid. I didn't come along too often. I guess I'm still not used to speaking with others. Not after that day.

By the time we were done, night had long fallen upon us. Through the thick shield of leaves, I saw white dots littering the sky. I sat in awe before the grandness of life. We were just small dots ourselves, in this wide, infinite world.

Afar, there was a worrying light. Mother and I heard people scream. Soon after, we were pulled apart from each other. I was afraid, unable to understand the situation. I saw ponies carrying large buckets of water, whilst others held lances. A sudden cloud of black dust swept over us.

Scene 1 Act 3: Seule dans le Noir

The time was midnight. My ladies were curling my lavender mane, and scrubbing my pearl white fur coat. In the corner, the violinist played my favorite tune. He did not have much room to play though. I thought I should probably give him his own stand. A sharp pain shocked my foreleft hoof. One of my ladies botched my hooficure. She bagged to be excused. I gave her right, politely asking if she could fetch some wine from the vineyard.

I don't get it... Why is it so hard for everypony, including my servants, to pronounce my name? Seule; is that too hard? I decided I should go by the alias of Soul. At least that'll get those pesky serfs to pronounce my name correctly when their lord wanders their fields.

Mother and father aren't very proud of me, not because I didn't benefit our family name, which I did, but because I was a mare. It sounds funny, giving a female the title of lord. I knew from the age I could speak, that no matter what I accomplished, I would never truly be appreciated. They were too old when I was born, thus unable to give birth to another foal. Just passing on our land to me was a chore in itself. The neighboring nobles didn't consent with having a mare own the land. They believe I am weak. They believe I should stay inside, pampered by my servants, pulled away from the "real world".

While it is true I hated getting dirt on my hooves, it did not stop me from flaunting my riches before the others. Ever since I took over, our incomes have tripled. Since foalhood, I watched my parents govern our land. They were harsh, but not nearly enough. The villagers were slacking, sapping the money from our vault. I couldn't let this happen to me.

The day they proclaimed this land mine, I built a secret underground facility. Rumors in town kept circulating. They talked about how somepony refused to work, was lead to the manor so I may hear his complaints, and was never seen again. Soon, more and more of these "sudden disappearances" occurred. Families lost their loved ones, watching them fade away into mystery. I had them hooked. I had them in utter fear.

Finally, they were all excused. I wandered the halls of my own manor, admiring paintings of savage torture. A shiver of satisfaction slithered down my spine. I remember their names, and all their pains oh so crystal clear. This one was Lisa. She refused to work because her parents were sick. Oh how thrilling it was, watching her squeal and suffocate over the poison I dumped in her milk at diner.

I placed my hoof over another. His name was Omen. He complained the tools we provided were too rusty. His limbs lasted long on the table. He got his new tools at the price of his life. It was fun hearing him scream for help, begging for dear mercy.

I chuckled at the mere thoughts of what I had done. Pleasure always comes at a price. The clock stroke one o'clock. I was late for another gathering.

My servants were already outside. They readied the carriage, and just like that, we were off. We crossed the peaceful fields. Families gathered around us, begging for food and money. I guess "the chambers" will receive a few new guests this week.

There was a dress of fine silk stashed in a chest beneath my seat. I gently slipped it on, placed a crown of beads and jewels on my head, positioned my false eyelashes, clipped four golden slippers onto my hooves, ready for the gathering. I had to look perfect. My name does mean unique, right?

"No... You've got it all wrong..." I heard whilst walking up the marble steps. I turned around. My servants had already left, and in their place stood a cloaked equine. I didn't know who he was, or how he managed to slip past security.

What distasteful fashion you bear peasant! Please! Leave at once!" He stood there, looking at me. "Leave or I shall unleash the rage of a thousand guards upon your face!"

"Do you know what your name really means?" I shrugged. "What does a peasant like you know?!"

He removed his cloak. I gasped in terror. It was Jacques De la Fontaine, famous author and linguistic master. I always heard he dresses in rustic fashions, but had no idea he would show up here. If anyone knew what my name meant, it was him.

"Of course," I replied, hesitant. "It means unique, right?"

"I am afraid not mademoiselle. It is only one meaning. Une seule définition. Do you know what its literal meaning is, princesse de cette terre?"

I was afraid to ask. "N.... N.... No sir... I do not..."

"It means alone madame. I have bared witness to your acts before. Vos actions sont au-delà d'injuste; elles sont cruelles aussi!"

"Excuse me?"

"Your actions are beyond unjust; they're cruel too. I have heard all the rumors, and already questioned you servants before. Ils me reconnaissent trop bien maintenant."

"So?"

"Vous êtes cruelle madame. You are cruel indeed. The others aren't distant from you because you are a woman; they are distant because they are scared. Look at your kingdom! There is plague! There is famine! A swarm of rodents has devoured the villagers' food supplies! Ces rongeurs mangent mieux que votre peuple madame!"

I stood there, completely bewildered. I was being lectured by a foreigner, who seemed to know more about my kingdom than I did.

"The nobles are scared, and your people are hungry! Ask anypony else! They will surely tell you the same! If only they had the courage to do so..."

I did not say a word. I had no retort, no reply, nothing.

"You've repulsed everyone madame! That is why, I'm sure, you deserve your name. Seule, until you learn to change, I know for a fact that you will always be alone in the dark."

Scene 1 Act 4: Tangled Vines

At this time of year, our vineyard was filled with drunken innkeepers, hoarding our load into their chariots, ready to get drunk once again. Our grapes had a fine, sweet aroma to them. It often pleased our customers. We dealt with the average citizen just as often as we did with drunkards. Mother didn't dare come outside anymore. Even though she's young, she's pale and sickly. I dun have the money to pay for her health.

Seventeen years ago, when mah mother was jus' a young, hardworkin mare, a drunken earth pony came i, and started hittin on her. Grandpa tried keepin him away from her, but to no avail. He beat him up pretty badly, and raped mah mother until she was bleedin. Several months later, I was born. Vine, they called me. I thought it was somewhat fittin. It was the chains from our yard he used to rape my mother. It was the whip he used to hit my grandma. It was the bondage he used to restrain her to the chair. It was the business that'd haunt me for the rest of my life. Vine...

My coat was sort of a green-ish yellow, but there was no doubt I had the prettiest mane in this neighborhood. No matter how much mud they'd throw at me, no matter how dirty I had to get, no matter how much blood on my hooves from the fights I fight, there was no way to hide my emerald green mane. I dun know what to do with it, so I jus' let it dangle on the side of my face. I tried tyin a ponytail with it, but the boys startin to call me slut. Man I hate this place. I wish I could jus' leave this wretched yard, and go somewhere else. I heard Canterlot was a mighty fine place. Anythin was better than this.

That night, grandpa was drunk, and grandma had a hard time takin care of her little girl. I couldn't look back at them like this. There wasn't much I could do on the vineyard, no matter how hard I worked. Sometimes I wish I was born in a different time. I hate it here. Those bastards don't think mares are strong and independent. We ain't got any money either, so no high-life for me. I had to endure their constant abuse, waitin for the day I'll cry over mother's grave. I couldn't live like this. I left them a note. I can't stay here anymore.

Outside, I turned back one last time at the vineyard. My name told me I wouldn't belong anywhere else in this world. I heard about somethin called a cutie mark. They say it's a symbol of grace, expressin your inner talent. "However, it would only come to those who wait patiently, and give it their best in life." Horseshit. I dun believe in fairy-tales. I dun believe in miracles. All I want is to get the heck out of this place. All I want is a better life, for mah family and me. If a so-called "cutie mark" can gimme that, then I'll gladly have a half-ass flower on mah flank.

Scene 2 Act 1: Crystal Clear Truth

That's absurd, I thought to myself. How could the Princess allow such a thing to happen underneath her own roof? Obviously, there had to be more of this than I thought. I didn't have time to think however, since the others had already started pelting me with attacks, each deadlier than the last.

I couldn't just stand there, but killing innocents was not an option. I had to think of something, and fast.