The origins of Harmony A shattered world

A quiet sigh of contentment escaped from the lips of the tall white alicorn as she watched the sun set on the second day of peace after the escape of Discord. The sight of him reminding the immortal Celestia of ages long past. Before the recorded time of the new world. The beginning of the age of harmony. Though hundreds or possibly thousands of years had passed the scars of that time had still not fully healed.

As the princes wandered down long forgotten pathways of memory while watching the sunset, the doors to her room swung open on well-oiled hinges. From the shadow beyond the doorway stepped a midnight blue alicorn with a mane of stars wearing the features of sadness and concern as she approached the contemplative princess of the day. Sitting next to her the two watched the last rays of the sun dance across the sky. They talked. Not with word but emotions. Small movements and looks as they both walked down the pathways of memory reliving moments of great sadness, of joy, pain, and despair, but most importantly love of one long lost.

When the last rays of the sun vanished Luna stood, a tear escaping from her eye she looked toward her sister and finally spoke.

“Let us not cry sister for we both know that is the last thing he would wish. He did it all for us and the rest of pony kind. So we could live in this world of balance and harmony. His sacrifice gave us all the life he could never have, so let us not cry but rejoice for the world he has given us."

Celestia gave a sad smile and lifted her head. The tears that were shed having left dark steaks in her ivory white fur.

“You're right but I just wish more would remember him so they could rejoice with us."

“You know that cannot be sister but there is always the old man if you truly wish to have someone to rejoice and remember with."

“Yes but it has been so long even he might have forgotten, besides I don't want to bother him at such a late hour."

“I doubt that matters, he was never one to be upset at late night visits especially seeing as how we never visit him any more to begin with. I think he would just be happy to see you and not from the back of a crowd."

“Perhaps you're right but still I worry."

“Do as you will but I would feel better knowing you are not alone this night. I know as well as any how grief can damage ones soul."

She left that last comment to hang in the air with a weight made heavy by the experience of true loss, Luna flew off the balcony into the night leaving Celestia to ponder the advice.

****************************************

Meanwhile in a small town far off to the edge of the Everfree forest a purple unicorn with a stripe of pink running through her mane was busy turning a the Golden Oaks Library upside-down.

CRASH

“Where is it? There has to be something here about it. Spiiiiiiike!”

“I can’t find anything Twilight and we’ve checked every section, on every shelf in the library. There’s just nothing here other than the normal reference saying what every pony is taught in school. What he as a statue represents.”

“That can’t be, he has been around for hundreds of years and the only information on him is what he represents. I can’t believe that, there has to be something more on him somewhere. His origins, his true weakness, turning him to stone worked for a while last time. But we’re going to need a more permanent solution if we don’t want to have a repeat of what just happened the other day. He’s too dangerous to leave unchecked.”

“Twilight you’re stressing out too much over this. Besides from the look of things you would have needed to live as long as he has to know anything more about him and to do that you’d have to be practically immortal”.

“Immortal...Immortal... that’s it Spike you’re a genius! Princess Celestia might be able to give me more information. She’s immortal which means she might have been around almost as long as he has. She has got to know more than what she told us when we went to fight him. Spike take a letter”.

“Yes m m maaaaaaam”.

The last sentence was punctuated with a yawn as the young dragon’s eyes began to droop. The involuntary display was not lost on Twilight as she realized the sun had gone down. When she looked out the window she saw that the moon was approaching its zenith.

“Well we have been up all night. Let’s go to bed Spike, I can contact the princess tomorrow. With that the pair went up the stairs to their respective beds. Spike’s head touched the pillow and within five second flat he was snoring. Twilight had a bit more trouble falling asleep. Her mind still whirling with the mystery of the chaotic being called Discord. Where did he come from? Why did he have so much power? More importantly was there any way to truly stop him? Eventually sleep over took the young mare as she drifted off into a fitful sleep.

~~~

It was approaching late afternoon when the train pulled into Canterlot. A city of ancient history, and stunning architecture, with buildings as old as the Renascence era. Many of which were still standing in all their gothic glory as a testament to the resilience of the city. This sight combined with the sight of the royal palace standing proudly in the distance with its tall gracefully curving spires of pure marble and gilded turrets was truly a sight to awe any pony who had never seen it before. It did its job quite well as the ponies began to file off the train. Those who were used to the extravagance of the city (for it was their daily lives) simply grabbed their luggage and continued on, smirking with their noses up in the air.

"Tourists."

A few of the passengers did not even go to claim luggage. They simply got off with a couple of saddlebags they had brought onboard with them. One such passenger was a purple unicorn with one stripe of pink running through her violet mane.

"Hmm so the princess said to meet her at a mask shop in the market district called Masquerading at six tonight. But it’s only noon. That means I have plenty of time to check the royal library for any information they have on Discord until my meeting with the princess".

Twilight muttered to herself as she wandered through the station still going over a list hovering in front of her. When she finished with it she promptly tucked it in her bag and hailed a taxi, with a whistle that would do any Manehattenite proud. As the carriage pulled up the stallions pulling it asked the fair mare.

"Where to lady?”

“The Canterlot Royal library.”

They were off racing down the roads and back alley ways until they arrived at her destination. She hoofed over a few bits before the carriage quickly turned away and took off. Looking up at the building she now stood in front of Twilight paused to marvel at the building. The Canterlot royal library was a massive building with centuries of knowledge stored under a single roof of polished bronze. Every part of the building bespoke of history long past. Engraved marble columns framed either side of the door way spiraling from the floor up to the overhang of the roof. The engravings were that of vines carved into the marble in such a way as to make them look like the leafy vines of stone were an independent object resting on the surface of the stone. Above the massive building’s door arch on the ledge of the roof supported by the columns was an engraved mural of the two royal sisters. Similar details covered the building from top to bottom. Many were now indistinguishable due to the passage of time. Letting out a happy sigh Twilight entered and there she stayed searching top to bottom for more information on the mysterious figure called Discord. She looked for something, anything more than just a reference to him as the avatar of discord and chaos.

As the sun set its light played in the atmosphere painting colors across the sky like an errant child refusing to go to bed. A taxi carriage could be seen leaving the royal library and a slumped figure riding within.

“I can’t believe it I searched the entire royal library and still nothing, how can this be? OK Twilight just calm down you were expecting this, that’s why you’re meeting the princess tonight. But why at a simple mask shop in town? I wonder what’s so special about it?”

This continued while the stallions pulling the carriage shook their heads as they continued onward to the market district. Into an older part of town were the buildings changed from stone and painted beauty to a more simple design of bricks and wood. Various stalls and shops dominated the street but most were closing up for the night. Here the carriage had to slow down to a near standstill to avoid equestrian foot traffic. Twilight stuck her head out and began shouting.

“What’s the holdup?”

We’re in the market. There’re too many ponies in the way for us to go any faster, sorry lady”.

“Oh that’s OK I’ll walk from here, thanks boys.”

“Right.”

Twilight proceeded to pay the stallions before she said continued on foot looking for this mysterious mask shop. The sight of the market district never ceased to amaze Twilight. The hustle and bustle was a sight to behold even at this late hour. Ponies rushing back and forth. Vendors hawking their goods. Store fronts crowded with window shoppers all looking into what the store had to offer ogling the gems, dresses, shoes, and loafers. All of this sound and energy in one place. Accompanied with the discordant music of doors opening and closing, bells ringing, and the clop of hooves on pavement. All in all a rather interesting sound to say the least. Twilight mused on this to herself.

“Hmm I wonder if this can be considered the shoppers sonata, or maybe the bargain hunters’ symphony?”

With these thoughts she let a quick snort and a short laugh. She continued her musing as she walked along until the crowed thinned and she found the building she was looking for. A small two story shop sandwiched in-between two others. All of them made out of plain smooth planks of wood, weather sealed and worn with time. Above the door hung a modest sign consisting of a banner carved into a large wooden oval with two masks underneath of happiness and distress. The two masks of theater and drama.

The entryway was big enough that even the tall alicorn princess Celestia could fit through easily. A simple window was on the left side of the door like that of a house. But there were no display windows or even anything to advertise what the shop was selling inside. As Twilight studied it she noticed that all the ponies of the late night crowed passed right by it as if they couldn't see it or as if it didn't exist.

“But then how can they not see it? It’s not like its hiding or anything, then again I guess there is not much call for masks unless its nightmare night or a masquerade ball is going on at the palace. All I need to do is wait for the princess, I guess I might as well wait inside.”

With that she took a deep breath and stopped. She exhaled and berated herself.

“It’s just a mask shop why should I be nervous?”

She gave out a sharp quick laugh and walked up to the door. The door swung open easily, quietly, and shut just as softly behind her. Oddly enough this unsettled her more than if it had been creaky and slammed shut. Looking into the shop it was surprisingly spacious with a wide open center floor ringed by a counter in a U shape. Masks lined the walls and shelves. Some were just hanging. They were arranged in a way that was both chaotic and orderly, at the same time. The variety was astounding. There were masks of all sorts ranging from the tribal ones much like in Zacora’s hut, to beautiful feathered ones made of gold and studded with diamonds. There were even some made for nightmare night designed to look like skull or ghouls or beasts. The overall effect was awe inspiring, overwhelming, and intimidating at the same time. It was a shop unlike anything she had ever seen before. But at the same time nothing new. It both put her on edge and at ease. But the most overwhelming sensation was that of curiosity. She proceeded farther into the shop until she heard a soft rumbling that stopped her dead in her tracks. Looking around she could not see the source of it, neither could she see the owner. As this thought struck her she said loudly.

“He.. helooooo any pony there?”

No reply so she repeated louder this time.

“Hellooo is there any pony here?”

This time she got a reply but not in the way she expected.

“snrk hu waaaa.”

This was followed shortly by a loud crash and several masks falling off the wall into a heap atop of the pony that fell from the support beams above.

The earth pony had a light blue almost white coat, and a mane of varying shades of reddish brown. Spiked back into a long sweep with one large lock resting on his forehead. He wore a golden mask on his face accompanied by a goatee the same color as his mane. He stood up quickly sending masks flying back onto their shelves while the golden one stayed on his face. The mask he was wearing had two eye slots spaced wrong for any normal pony, one above the other on the left side of his face. While the other half had a gem shaped star framed by a crescent moon on the right. With one leg resting up on the counter he said with a smile.

“Welcome to my shop I’m the owner of Masquerade, how may I help you today?”

“Ummm okay first things first I got a question.”

“Yes?”

“How did you send all those masks flying onto the shelves without being a unicorn?”

“Ancient pony secret.”

“What? That makes no sense.”

His only reply was a grin followed by a very puzzled expression accompanied by a new mask of dark blue with swirls of white. Instead of a moon and star on the right side there were three question marks. As he stared behind her, what caught her attention first was the new mask.

“How did you...?”

Then she looked behind her and saw what had caused the look of surprised to him. Princess Celestia had just walked in. Then something that truly sent poor Twilight through a loop was the blur of light blue and red that sped past her and hugged the princess then said.

“Well I’ll be it’s great to see you little one.”

“And you as well old man it has been far too long.”

“I’ll say. But what brings you here now?”

“Do I need a reason to visit an old friend?”

“No and I appreciate the thought and visit but we both know that’s not the reason. We both know it involves that poor confused student of yours over there.”

“How did you know she was my student?”

“Ancient pony secret.”

And with that they both burst out laughing, the princess musical and soft, his rough and loud. It wasn't long before Twilight interrupted.

“Will some pony explain what going on and why his mask keeps changing!?”

The owner of Masquerade was the first to reply.

“Well you see girl the mask will be explained along with the reason you both are here I’ll wager. But I think I’ll let the princess do the explaining first. Seeing as how I will have my fair share of talking soon enough.”

Masquerade looked toward the princess. She nodded and proceeded.

“You see Twilight things are not always as they seem. I’m sure you’ve noticed that there is no mention of Discord’s origins in any books or documents in the libraries in Equestria. That’s because no pony knows except me, my sister, and one other pony. That’s because his story is accompanied with another. The origin of the elements of harmony. I brought you here today because my version and my sister’s version are tainted with memory loss and personal feelings. That’s why when you wrote to me I told you to come here. For you see, the only other one who knows the story is standing right next to me. I’d like you to meet the pony Luna and I call uncle, his name is Timeless.”

With this last statement Masquerade removed his ever changing mask. His fur’s color changed to that of his mane and his mane turned to sparkling sand running ever downward only to disappear before it hit the floor. His eyes were swirling vortexes of history with hourglass pupils and his cutie mark of theater masks and scrolls disappeared only to be replaced by an hourglass in the shape off the symbol of infinity. But on top of it all the part that left Twilight confused was the fact that this pony was still hornless and wingless. A simple earth pony that radiated waves of ancient power and a kindly smile. He was no bigger than before. Holding his head high he spoke in the voice of a story teller with experience.

“I aim to tell you the full story. I am a keeper of memories immortal and true. I watched it all and even had a small part to play. But that will all be revealed in time for now it grows late and the air cold. Let us retreat to the back near the fire and I shall tell you a tale lost to the flows of history.”

Twilight did not know what to make of this but she would not let the princess down so to the back of the shop they went. Twilight found herself inside of a cozy sitting room with books lining the walls. Two chairs and a couch were arranged in a semicircle around a rug with the fireplace at the head. Taking the chair closest to the fire Timeless settled in and waited for everyone else to follow suit. Twilight took the other chair while Celestia lay on the couch. All eyes turned to him and the room seemed to darken until it was only them. He looked over his two guests and began.

“To know the story of Harmony’s great enemy Discord one must hear the story of a simple Pony, a unicorn of little power. With a talent for blacksmithing and various crafts from the metals and gems dug up from the earth. This stallions name was Grey Rain and his time was that of a time before harmony.”

“His time is a time when princess Celestia and Luna were still young fillies at the ages of five and three when he found them. He was a kindly soul with not an ounce of cruelty in him. But in all of us is buried something dark that sometimes can surface in the worst of ways. Back in his time there was no harmony in the earth, sea, or sky. The sun and moon raised themselves. The plants grew without control worse than that of the Everfree forest, where every day was a struggle just to stay alive. Magic was utter chaos filling the planet with pockets of magic so intense the formed vortexes visible to the naked eye glowing and warping anything that touched them.”