//------------------------------// // Eighteen Guardians // Story: Chronicles // by Whiles34 //------------------------------// The hoof-falls of two ponies echoed through the empty hallway. One pony, tall and regal with a coat of pure white silently led the way. The other pony – an electric-blue unicorn, just barely older than a filly – followed hesitantly. After a while, the hallway opened up into a round chamber. The younger pony looked up and, in the dim light, was able to make out several massive statues lining the far wall. As the older pony increased the light emanating from her horn, the younger realized that the statues were arranged in three groups of six. Princess Celestia finally spoke. “You’re probably wondering where we are and why I brought you here today, Aurora.” The young pony nodded meekly in reply, unable to shift her gaze from the imposing figures across the room. The Princess smiled. “Impressive, aren’t they?” “Who were they, Princess?” Aurora asked after a moment, finding her voice again. “These are the Guardians, my student. Eighteen ponies who have given us the peace that we all enjoy today. Equestria would be a very different place without their labors and sacrifices. Each one is immortalized in granite, so neither themselves nor their deeds would be forgotten. Most importantly, though, each group has a lesson to teach – a lesson we must all learn to keep the prosperity that they have fought for.” “The six on your left. Commander Hurricane. Private Pansy. Chancellor Puddinghead. Smart Cookie. Princess Platinum. Clover the Clever. These are the Founders. The six ponies who first established Equestria. I’m sure you recognize their names from the Hearth-Warming Pageant. The lesson in that pageant is still true today. You must always keep your heart open and look for friends, even in the most unlikely places. Ponies who were once enemies can unite as friends; they need only the will and desire to do so. That is the first lesson you must learn today.” “The statues in the middle. Marshall Steelcutter. Commander Sleet. Regent Granite. Chancellor Grahamcracker. King Mithril. Duke Constellation. These are the Renouncers. Their names are probably the ones you know the least, but they were instrumental in reuniting Equestria after the reign of Discord. In order to create peace and prosperity, they were asked to sacrifice their power and their kingdoms. And each of them did. They trusted an uncertain fate, and that fate took everything they had except for one: their friendship. They were true friends, and as long as they had each other, none of them lost anything that really mattered. That is their lesson: happiness does not come from power, but rather with whom you share what you have. A pittance is a fortune when enjoyed with friends.” “You certainly remember the six on your right from your classes.” Now Celestia had to hold back tears, for these six ponies were especially dear to her heart. “It’s hard to believe that they passed away only a few generations ago,” Celestia whispered. Picking up her voice again, the Princess continued, “These ponies are the Elements of Harmony. Applejack. Rarity. Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash.” Celestia paused “…and Twilight Sparkle. They had much to teach about friendship, but perhaps their most important lesson is this: friendship is the greatest gift one could give or receive. But it must also be maintained. Like a flower, it must be tended and cared for or it will wither and die. But the blossoms it bears are more than worth the effort. These six ponies faced more trials than any others I know, but also I have never known a group of ponies that had a stronger friendship than they.” Princess Celestia than fell silent again. Aurora looked back at the alicorn and finally ventured: “Are you alright, Princess?” “Yes, my student. I’m just reminded of a time back when I showed another promising young student this room. There were only twelve then. You are free to look around this room all you wish and return whenever you desire. It is said that the Guardians reveal further wisdom to those who truly let friendship into their hearts. I cannot say whether this is true; these ponies have given so much to me – to us – in life that I have no right to ask any more of them in death. Please honor their memories and learn their lessons well. One day you may be among them.” Aurora looked puzzled. “Me? Why would I be remembered like this? What can I do that equals what these ponies have done for Equestria?” Celestia answered is an uncharacteristically soft voice and her eyes finally began to tear up. “These ponies have truly done much for Equestria. But, they have granted me an even greater favor. Of all of my subjects over the centuries, these ponies were the only ones, apart from my sister, to ever call me their friend.”