Chapter one: The boy who was chosen
In the land of Equestria, there have been tales of stalwart warriors clad in green who have fought for the glory of Equestria. The Tree of Harmony slated a long line of harmonious heroes as per tradition for whenever the land was ever in peril. In those trying moments, the Tree's judgment had been considered a divine rite of passage.
Many have sought after the incredible power of harmony for its influence and ability to rule unquestionably—for as much good as the elements can do, this can easily be twisted for evil's intention.
Near the heart of the Everfree lies a clearing where none have dared to trespass. The Tree of Harmony claimed this clearing as its home but needed protection, so it was turned into a forest-dweller village called Harmony Hollow Village.
Everyone there had their breezie companion, a small but insightful guide to aid them in protecting both the Everfree and the Tree of Harmony. But alas, one unique boy was brought to the Tree by a mortally wounded and desperate mother; it was a miracle that she had made it that far; she mustered the will to go on, even at the cusp of death, for the sake of her son. She could not accept death until she knew he would be cared for.
"P-Please... I beg of you. I do not have much time left. My body feels... cold now. My son, my dearest son. I ask that you take care of him so I can rest peacefully. I-I can feel it. I am dying. But he is so young and precious. I know he can accomplish great things if you let him keep his life." The sagely Tree then allowed her final moments with her son for closure before he took him in.
The Tree spoke with an ancient and gravelly voice, "This boy I shall accept as a member of our village. He has immense qualities to be a warrior of harmony. Verily, I can sense this. O valiant mother who delivered Equestria's salvation, may your death be of no pain or turmoil. My deepest condolences go to you for your sacrifice."
"T-Thank you... Tree of Harmony."She collapsed on the grass before the Tree from her blood loss, cradling her son while having one final moment with him, "I-I love you, my son. Please be strong for me, your father, and all of Equestria. I know you'll make us both proud..." After one final kiss on his forehead, her eyes closed, and her breathing was lighter, nothing at all, not even a pulse. Her body had given up, and her life left her body as she left her son with the Tree of Harmony.
The Tree offered the fallen mother a peaceful burial by wrapping her body up with his vines and then using his roots to dig a grave for her. He chanted a harmonious blessing for her to pass on peacefully and with no regrets before burying her into a makeshift coffin using the vines he severed from himself, knowing they would grow back. He then placed a memorial at the head of the grave to honor her. The sagely Tree then offered his vines to cradle the weeping colt as he left his mother's arms, who was bundled up in a cozy blanket.
The Tree then looked at the baby, who was no longer crying and felt cradled. He looked up curiously and said, "You are a special child, indeed. One who has been brought to me for a reason. It could only be called fate." The Tree then showed a fatherly smile chiseled on his wooden face and said, "Be forewarned, o brave new one; your life ahead will not be easy for you."
"You will face hardship, grief, pain, disappointment, happiness, friendship, and love. It would be best if you remained strong in both harmony and friendship. When the time comes for you to be of age, then you'll understand what must be done. A name for you to be of such bravery. I believe the name Hero shall suffice." The colt looked up to his new father with those same curious eyes but was so pure and full of life. This colt was destined for greatness, even if fate might have been forced upon him.
Ten years later, that same colt was grown up, but he had never had his breezie companion yet. The other residents of the forest often chastised him for being such. He was still young but could fulfill his duty as Equestria's savior. He was in restless sleep during an otherwise calm night.
There was a heavy rainstorm at the front gate of Canterlot Castle; one of the soldiers lowered the drawbridge to allow Celestia and Luna to escape as they galloped as fast as they could away from their castle. Hero stood before the lowered gate and saw who they were running from. A tall and imposing charcoal stallion was clad in shining black armor and had a regal red robe on his back. The crest of the Desert King was on his chest, and evil eyes with a dark-purple aura bled from them. As the thunder crackled, so too did the suspense rise. His glare then fixed on Hero, who was shaking with fear and stood still; his face was locked into a surprised gawk as he felt his nightmare ending and stirred awake.
Once morning piqued, the Tree of Harmony sought the help of one Breezie in particular: "Do you not feel that our land is in great turmoil? I call upon you, Navi. Come hither, as fast as your wings may carry you. The fate of this world rests upon thee." With hastened flying, Navi rushed to the Tree to answer her summons and be instructed on what to do next. Once she arrived, she was punctual, much to the Tree's satisfaction.
"Yes, Great Tree of Harmony. I'm here. What shall you have of me?"
"N-Navi, it is good to see you here. I fear that I have bitter news for you. Wouldst thou care to listen?"
"Of course I would, Tree of Harmony. You look unwell. What has happened to you?"
"It is terrible, indeed. My time is growing short. I hath been cursed by a stallion clad in black armor and red robes. One who demanded my blessing, to which I have given him no."
"Y-You are... d-dying? This is not good. Surely you have another plan, right- t-the boy... you want me to accompany him?"
"I wish you to serve as his guide, moral conscience, and loyal companion; this is my final wish for you. Would you be willing to accept this daunting task?"
"Yes. I will, Great Tree of Harmony. I humbly accept my job of keeping him in line."
"You never cease to please me, young Navi. I pray that you both will be victorious, for all of Equestria depends on your cooperation and friendship. Now fly and bring him to me as soon as possible. He is ready for my test. Fly, Navi, fly! To the one I have requested for Equestria's fate hinges upon thee." Navi then made haste through the village, saying hello to everyone who waved to her. She made it to Hero's home and entered his residence.
There Hero was, napping on his bed in his room, as Navi looked anything but amused. "Hey, you!" she dinged to tell him she was already irritated as she tried to wake him. "You need to wake up right now! Honestly, how can all of Equestria depend on such a lazy boy?"
He groggily woke up from the rude awakening and stretched his forearms before sitting on his bed to hear her out. "Hey there. I'm your new companion, Navi. You must be Hero. You were given an official summons to the Tree of Harmony, so you better get your lazy butt into gear right now and don't keep him waiting."
Hero angrily swatted at Navi for the rude awakening, but she dodged every swat in her general direction, "Nope. You're not getting rid of me that easily, bud. Now get going!" Hero, quickly giving up, knowing that fighting her was pointless, had got up from bed to trot out of his home. Once Hero stepped out of his elevated treehouse, he took a deep breath of fresh morning air and was immediately greeted by one friendly forest dweller; she was possibly one of the few who didn't chastise him.
"Hey there, Hero. I can see you've finally got your breezie companion; that's awesome." Hero genuinely liked her; her name was Saria, and she was one of the most excellent ponies he had ever met. "So, you've got an official summons to see the Tree of Harmony? I hope that it's nothing too serious."
To keep the village dwellers from being in an uproar, Navi felt that it was best to keep the Tree's fate a secret until Hero could hopefully find a way to fix this. Every villager wore green clothes to mark them as forest dwellers. But Saria... Hero liked her because she treated him like he was worth something, not just a nuisance worthy of chastising.
"So then, you better get going; if he wants to see you, I know it's for a reason. Take care, buddy." She bowed at him like always after she's finished talking to someone, and Hero bowed right back, something Saria saw only Hero doing in return. Hero then made his way to the path that leads to the Tree of Harmony, only to be stopped by another pony; this one had a blond mane and tail, green clothes, and a rather smug look on his face.
"Where do you think you're going, Hero? Just because you happened to be summoned by the Tree of Harmony does not mean I'll let you go by without at least anything to protect yourself with. I, The Great Mido, have spoken." That was the village's self-proclaimed chief, Mido. Otherwise known as the Hero's worst antagonist in this village. Mido gave it to him the worst for whatever reason; Hero never knew why, and possibly neither did Mido.
"Ugh... what a pain in the butt. Okay then, Hero. Just do what he says. You do need to have some protection. From what I've heard, the shop sells shields. Try asking around town for a weapon of some kind. You do have bits on you, right?" Hero nodded, "Oh, good. Then get your shield, and we'll find out how to get you a weapon." Hero entered the Hallow Wares Shop to see the short stallion operating the counter. He greeted Hero with his usual gruff voice.
"Greetings and welcome. Take a look at our useful wares, why don't you?" Hero saw the shield he needed, "That's the last one we got in stock. For some reason, Mido was buying them all up; I'm not sure what goes on in his head most of the time. Maybe that's for the best, to be honest." Hero chuckled and nodded. "That will be fifteen bits, please." Hero placed his bit bag on the counter and counted exactly fifteen to give the shopkeeper. "Thanks, bud."
"Okay then, Hero. We got the shield. Great! Now to find a weapon for you to use."
"If it makes your job any easier, my two older brothers have a secret crawlspace in our backyard. I have no idea why, though; they never allowed me in there. Could be hiding something for all I know, not that I particularly care, to be honest."
"Thanks for the tip. We'll be heading out. Have a good one."
"Yup. You too." Hero and Navi exited the shop to see where Hero knew they lived.
"Alright then, Hero. We're making good progress. I hope the weapon will be as easy for us to get as that shield was." Hero nodded in agreement as they went to the shopkeeper's residence to speak to the older brothers.
