Chapters In the inky black darkness of the mind realm, the impossble becomes very possble. A blank slate, the plece where heroes reside. However where heroes reside villians reside as well. The mid realm is built from the souls of those that have passed. This realm is closely tied to the others. Those with great mental prowess can harness the raw power of the mind realm to change their world as they see fit. While most use this power for evil there are a seect few wh use this power for the benefit of ponykind. Like Starswirl the Bearded used his magic to create the elements of harmony, generosity, kindness, honesty, laughter, loyalty, and magic. He left these elements in the hooves of the only ones he could trust, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna, with the element of harmony they ruled for centuries with kindness, honesty, and generosity, and proved worthy of friendship with loyalty, laughter, and magic.
This rule would be opposed by another well versed in the ways of the mind realm, this being was known as Discord. Discord used the mind realm to change the laws of physics causing complete and total chaos. This angered the Princesses, Discord had ruined in one day what took the sisters a century to build. Starswirl advised them to consider the elements as a last resort, but Celestia knew that any other attempt would prove fruitless.The sisters agreed that in order yo put a stop to Discord the only course of action was to use the elements, but he was stronger than they expected. The self proclaimed king of chaos kept Equestria in he palm of his hand for many years before a lone figure helped to weaken Discord, and buy the Princesses enough time to seal him in stone they placed the statue in the garden, to keep watch over him.
In another case of a being of great power abusing the mind realm, is the untold begining of the legend of the Mare in the Moon. Over the course of the years after Discords defeat Princess Luna was contacted by a voice from the mind realm. This spirit referred to himself as Chane, his siblings Hanek, and Teala convinced Luna to listen to their brothers words. Chane's words were extremely persuasive he had convinced Luna that while ponies loved and played during her sisters day, they shunned and slept through her beautiful night. Luna reflected on this and this angered her she became resentful, and on the eve of her five-hundredth birthday she refused to lower the moon out of spite she lashed out and rebelled. Celestia was taken aback she never thought her sister would do anything like this. Satisfied with his accomplishment Chane took his siblings and returned to the mind realm never to be heard from again. Celestia, confused called a meeting with her mentor Starswirl the Bearded. Starswirl advised that Luna could not have coe to ths conclusion on her own. He thought that maybe her magical prowess made her a target for a bigger threat than Discord. He went on to explain that he knew a unicorn with the power over fear, and his brother held power over hate.
Starswirl continued that these unicorns were just as powerful if not more than himself. Celestia was suprised by these words she had never thought anything was more powerful than her master. If these unicorns were even possibly more powerful than her master Celestia thought that they could have easily convinced Luna and maybe even herself. Starswirl had come to a conclusion Celestia must do to Luna what they had done to Discord. Celestia cringed at the thought of turning her sister to stone. Celestia went to think about what she had to do. After intense research Starswirl had found a way around turning Luna to stone. If she was banished to the moon she may come to her senses, and be returned to her previous form and disposition. But in order to send Luna to the moon she must willingly relinquish her connection to the elements of harmony. Dark times fell upon Equestria Celestia knew what she must do she must banish her sister to her namesake.
The lone figure had appeared once more to help the Princess combat this darkness. After hours of heated battle Luna became exhausted, the figure saw this chance to use the mind realm to contact the real Luna. The figure explained what she must do. Luna accepted this drastic measure on one condition that the figure finds new holders for the elements. The figure agreed to this condition and returned to the realm of the living with the news of Lunas choice. Celestia used the elements of harmony one last time to send Luna to the moon. And you know the rest.
Hunter had resided in the mind realm only for a few moments before returning to consciousness. The dim light and crackle of the fire filled his cave home. His gaze fell to the pile of firewood a few feet away. His horn began to glow a faint green, and an aura of the same color surrounded the logs. The logs began to float over to the fire pit. Edahs took a deep breath and the logs were set ablaze with a flaming exhale. He unfurled his wings, and a loud yawn followed. Edahs stood and rubbed his eyes with a hoof. He walked further back into the cave and the sound of water falling echoed throughout the cavern. The sound grew louder the further back he went. The waterfall emptied into a small pool Edahs leaned in to get a drink, but his reflection was met with mixed results the reflection that stared back was not the pony he saw the night before. This however was a regular occurrence so he payed it no mind.
Hunter slowly made his way back to the mouth of the cave, The sunrise was beautiful as always, but Edahs always wished that someday he would be looked upon not like a monster but a hero little did he know his wish wasn't easy to make come true. He never knew why but everypony always scoffed and shunned the very sight of him. Edahs had run out of firewood, a resource essential to a nomad. The only option was to journey out to find more, but when morning comes so do ponies. Hunter did not want to risk being seen, but the fire was dying. He had no choice. "Stick to the shadows." He reminded himself. moments later he had procured all the firewood he needed when suddenly a swift blow to the back of his head rendered him unconscious.
Days later he awoke in a dungeon. "What happened?" He asked himself. "Where am I?"
"You're in the dungeon." A gruff stallion said as he walked into the light.
"Why am I here?"
"Stealing."
"I didn't steal anything." Edahs shouted
"Maybe you did maybe you didn't we can't take any chances, CHANGELING."
"What did you call me?" Edahs' tone harshened.
"Change-ling." The stallion stated sarcasticly.
"I am not a changeling." Edahs grew even more angry.
"Well then are you an alicorn, or a dragon maybe." The gaurd laughed.
"You have one chance to let me out." Edahs' horn glowed a faint green and an aura grabbed at the guards neck. "Now grab those keys open the door and let me out."
"Okay okay just don't hurt me, please." The guard unlocked the door.
"Thank you kind sir if you don't mind i'll be leaving now."
"All units be alert the changeling has escaped lock down the premises immediately." The guard announced over the p.a.
"Roger that captain" The rookie radioed back.
"Oh you don't want to do that Shining Armour." Hunter responded.
"How do you know my name?" The colt asked.
"I'm not the only one with something to hide, Kid." simply smiled and disappeared into the shadows.
As the sun set Edahs found himself in the massive courtyard of canterlot castle. The castle was filled with ponies of all kinds and colors. A perfect place to hide from his pursuers. He looked desperately for a better spot to avoid detection. After a few frantic moments of searching Edahs had found a hiding spot in the conveniently unlocked throneroom. "Wait ponies in formal attire, this is the famous grand galloping gala." Hunter had heard about the Gala during his travels. "I'll never get out with all these innocent ponies in my way, damn."
"Frustrating isn't it?" A somewhat familiar voice asked.
"Tell me about it. Wait what?" Edahs turned his head. "Oh Shit, Princess Ceslestia."
"Yes Hunter what is wrong you seemed troubled?" The princess asked caringly.
"Huh it's almost like you care, but I know better go ahead take me back I'm a monster I deserve to be in a cage."
"You are mistaken Hunter we would never do that."
"We?"
"Yes when I heard you had been captured I gathered the holders of the elements as your grandparents instructed.
"My grand parents?"
"Yes I knew them very well. But that is not why you are here."
"Well why am I here princess?"
"Equestria needs your help Hunter."
"What can I do?"
"We need your connection to the mind realm your memories hold the keys to save us all,"
"What can I do I'm not sure I belong here." Hunter turned his head.
"You belong with family" A dark blue unicorn said as he emerged from the shadows.
"Yeah with family." A pure white pegasus chimed.
"Hello I am Hanek holder of honesty, loyalty, and magic." The unicorn stated.
"Hi you can call me Jane I hold laughter, kindness, and generosity."
"My brother has returned with his own elements the three elements of discord, fear, hate, and shadow.
"The same way your grandfather came across the elements of harmony Hunter."
"Wait, his grandfather is Starswirl the Bearded?" A look of surprise came across Enaj and Hanek's faces.
"Yes." Edahs' smile was quickly replaced with a frown. "Go ahead sis tell them about the others."
"If you think I should." The princess remembered back. "On Edahs' father's side there was Starswirl the Bearded, and Scalia."
"Wait you're telling me that not only is he royalty he's half dragon." Jane questioned.
"Just wait it gets better Jane." A dark grin graced Edahs' face and once again turned to a frown.
"And his mother's side?"
"If I'm correct the great Commander Hurricane, and the late changeling queen Xeroxa."
"That means hmm."
"That I'm one quarter unicorn, changeling, pegasus, and dragon, a monster in my own right."
"Maybe, but I'll ask again sister why am I here?"
"Let's find a more private place to speak." Celestia led them to her private study. When they were all in atendance she locked the door behind them. "Now the reason you are here Edahs your parents knew that one day you would be captured, and also that you would escape."
"But how did you know I was captured?"
"Shining Armour."
"The rookie?"
"Yeah the rookie." Shining Armour unlocked the door. "The rookie who saved your sorry butt."
"Come in Armour thank you for joining us."
"Anything for you Princess Celestia."
"Given your record I have decided to promote you to captain."
"Already?"
"Yes now have a nice night at the gala Captain Armor.
"Yes ma'am, good night princess." Shining Armor left.
"His record he let me get away."
"Because I told him to."
"You shouldn't have a monster deserves to be caged."
"Hey Hunter you're not a monster if you were I wouldn't be doing this." Jane walked over and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
"You're too kind Jane." Edahs found a smile grace his face.
"She's right, kid Believe me I wouldn't be here either if you were what you say."
"Looks like the monster has found some friends, and like your father said once a friend always family." Celestia's words echoed in Edahs' head
"C'mon kid don't think to hard." Hanek held out a hoof to help Edahs up. "Friendship is magic my friend magic."
These words warmed Edahs' cold heart. A look of discomfort fell upon his face as this warmness in his chest grew unbearably hot. Flames tickled his throat, and tears filled his eyes.
"Are you okay Hunter?" Jane asked in a concerned tone
"Jane, Hanek get down!" Celestia shouted in a harsh tone.
"What's happening to him?" Hanek shouted.
"His heritage."
Hunter opened his mouth and fire erupted forth, and backlashed to surround him. The intense heat burned his fur and replaced it with black scales. His feathered wings painfully retreated into his back, and dragon-like ones sprouted in their place. The horn on his head stretched and curved backward. He reared back onto his back legs, and his hooves become clawed feet. His neck stretched, and his snout stretched and skewed and his teeth sharpened to a razored edge. The fire then retreated down his throat and through his eyes. What stood there was a pony no more but a bipedal dragon. "You can come out now. " A dark voice escaped his lips."
"Hello Hurricane." Celestia said as she stood.
"Hello Princess." The dragon bowed.
"So you know this child is our only means of contact." The dragons voice changed to an older more experianced one
"Yes Starswirl, it's been a lifetime."
"Yes a lifetime to long," His voice sounded as if four were speaking at the same time.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but what is going on here I'm confused." Jane sounded frustrated.
"Young one this boy is the descendant of the greatest minds in all of the land. This is our only way to keep contact with this realm" His voice had changed once again to a more feminine almost insect-like one.
"This realm what does she mean, oh." Jane covered her mouth "Sorry."
"Quite alright child." The voice changed again to a more reptilian female. "There are two realms the realm of the living and the mind realm. The mind realm is home to souls of passed creatures. Your brother has returned from crafting the elements of discord, correct Hanek."
"Yes he has."
"That is grave news, Celestia you have done well to do as we asked. And we must regretably ask more." The voice had returned to Starswirl's.
"What is it Master?"
"I had hoped that this day did not come, I ask that you give Edahs my elements the ones I entrusted you with many years ago."
"Yes I will master Starswirl.
"Good, we must return to the mind realm, and Celestia take care of our grandson."
"I will."
"Wait so carry the one, put that there, and you get a dragon?!" Jane muttered. "What the buck is going on here!!?"
"I told you i'm one quarter dragon so obviously I can change into one."
"Aw forget it, it'll make sense eventually." Jane flustered had given up.
"Now, on to why I've gathered you here." The princess interjected.
"Yes Princess?"
"What is it Celestia?"
"As you may know, my sister Luna, or Nightmare as she called herself, is trapped on the moon at this very moment."
"The legends were true?" Jane's face was one of shock.
"Yes, they are and I should know, I was there."
"Wait carry the two take this put it there, that makes you atleast, hmmm. seven hundred fifty years old!!!!!!"
"Try one thousand eight hundred twenty five."
"That makes you older than the princess, how?"
"Magic." He replied with a smile.
"Be serious."
"I am serious."
"Hmph." Jane pouted.
"Continue Celest."
"Thank you Hunter, as I was saying Luna is on the moon right now. If you recall the legends she grew jealous of the day."
"But that wasn't what happened, what really happened was my brother."
"I'm confused, slow down smaller sentences please." Jane struggled to comprehend the torrent of information.
"Let me try, Luna is Nightmare, but the legend lied. Luna was not jealous of her sister, she was lied to. Hanek's brother Chane told her that the ponies hated the night. Before that she didn't care about it, she was just happy to have a part to play. Chane knew that to stop Luna, Celestia had to relinquish the elements of harmony." Edahs explained slowly.
"And with the elements no longer held by the Princess, and with her sister gone she was weak and helpless." Hanek pointed out.
"But he didn't count on me being there."
"Oh I get it now."
"Now that you've caught up to us in the present, My sister can finish the story."
"I never did thank you for that."
"We're family."
"Awww so sweet."
"Shut it."
"Hmph."
"Sorry I just want to hear why I'm still here."
"You're mean Hunter."
"Stop it both of you." Celestia shouted.
"Sorry, Princess." Jane lowered her head.
"Sorry little sis."
"She's your little sister and she orders you around?"
"Don't even go there Hanek."
"Now onto the matter at hoof Chane and the elements of discord. Chane still thinks that the elements of harmony are inert, but he will soon find that his brother holds half of them. When he does we need to be ready for his attack, I am sure he's prepared for the worst case scenario. Which is why your grandparents left us the elements of nature."
"The elements of nature?" Jane asked.
"The passionate flame, The whim of the wind, The steadfast earth, The fluidity of water, The possibility of peace, and The inevitability of chaos." The voice of Starswirl once again sounded from Hunter's mouth. Hearing this Edahs covered his mouth. His voice returned. "Was that grandpa Starswirl?"
"Yes he let you keep control this time."
"Wait this time?"
Celestia smiled. "Your connection to the mind realm is truly remarkable. Here." A blue aura encased her horn and a package flew over, Using his claws Hunter opened the box.
"What is this?" He held up an amulet with a amber jewel.
"The Magma Jewel." Scalia's voice escaped his lips. "Elements are powerful alone, but some need a little help."
His voice returned. "A little help," An idea popped inside his head. "Let me try something." With a deep breath he shot a cascade of alternating rainbow flame.
"Woah."
"Dude that was, WOAH."
"The burning passion of flame."
The Magma Jewel the essence of passion, the power of conviction. "You're well on your way to collecting the elements of nature."
"Collecting them, didn't Starswirl say he left them with you?"
"No he left the Magma Jewel, and the locations of the others."
"Well we should get started then." stood and wiped dust from his knees. "Where is the element of water Celestia?"
"San Franciscolt."
"Oh just great, the big city I hate the city." He turned his head. "Well let's go, we need the Element of Water."
"Okay Hunter."Jane's voice returned to her normal pitch.
"Right Hunter."
"Ominous." Hanek smiled.
"It suits you, Hunter." Celestia grinned. "Good luck big brother."
"Goodbye sis' see you soon."
"Goodbye brother." She waved them off. "Good luck brother you'll need it." Her grin turned to a frown. "I really hope you come back safe. I'm afraid he already knows." She left her study and returned to the Gala.
"Oh you have no idea Princess, you have no idea." A shadowy figure hung from the study balcony laughing.
"So Hanek how do you know Celest?" Hunter asked the unicorn.
"Um Hunter you have a little mare on your face." Jane chuckled.
Hunter opened his eyes and found himself back in the Everfree at the old castle. "This place sure brings back memories." Hunter slowly walked through the hallways. "Wow this place has sure changed in five hundred years."
"What the hell happened?" Hunter said groggily"
"Well if my brother knows what we're doing." Hanek thought out loud.
