//------------------------------// // The Battle of the Stars, Part 1 of 13: Aquarius // Story: Mythquestria // by Starlit Skies //------------------------------// Ponies born while the constellation Aquarius is dominant tend to be extremely intelligent and forward thinkers. While they wish to help ponykind, they can sometimes become too focused on the task at hand and ignore others as a result. Aquarius is known as the water-bearer because she brought gifts to ponies in ancient times. Aquarius, despite the connection with water, is associated with air due to free-thinking and explorative thoughts. Some famous Aquarius-born ponies are Leonardo da Hoofsi, Mare Curie, and Albert Trotstein. In myths, Aquarius was an earth pony mare and one of the leaders of the Council of Twelve along with Taurus and Virgo. She is also said to have invented many items and ideas still in use today, such as arches, plumbing, the printing press, and the postal service. She experimented on most things she could get her hands on and is said to have invented at least one new species. Historians commonly refer to her as the most intelligent pony in all of history. —Excerpt from The Basics of Astrology Octavia broke the silence that had fallen after Twilight had read the last word of the myth. “Well that was certainly interesting. It is no wonder music feels so natural if that is how it began.” “I guess that even back then no pony dared venture into the Canterlot Caves except for that little filly. They were rather scary after all.” Twilight glanced down at the book. “I wonder what other mysteries they could hold.” “Who cares those about dreary caves, what’s the next myth?” Without waiting for Twilight to respond, Vinyl levitated the book out of the alicorn’s grasp. “The Battle of the Stars, Part 1 of 13: Aquarius. That sounds AWESOME!” “Vinyl, please—“ “It’s okay Octavia, she can read it. Do you have anything to add Lyra?” The unicorn in question thought about it for a moment, then shook her head. “Other than saying that it would have been pretty cool to live back then when this place was getting started, no.” Her smile got wider as she said, “I can’t wait to hear about this star battle though. Read on V.” “My pleasure.” * * * An excerpt from the journal of Aquarius*— Council Day I can’t believe these ponies! I tried to propose a solution to the problem that would work, but some fools decided to go against it. Libra sat out, not wanting to get into the debate, but bull-headed Taurus and his followers didn’t want to listen to a word I had to say. Some of them don’t even deserve to be in the Circle of Twelve. Even after Virgo sided with me (as we all know her talent for picking apart every plan presented) those idiots neglected to listen. I could just tear my mane out! But I shall not. Libra has been teaching me to be more peaceful and patient and I shall try to take those lessons to heart. It is no matter that my plans to safely share magic among mortals have been shot down time and time again. Those pegasi have especially interested me in the way that they could potentially handle control over air. I wonder if one might be willing to let me study him (or her) to further my plans. Stella’s Day Yesterday when I flew out on my wind currents to relax, I went a bit too far and discovered a series of natural caves in the side of a mountain. It is far enough that only the Twins and Virgo with their similar control over the element could hope to reach me here. I think I’ll call them the Canterlot Caves after that old legion that Taurus managed. Oh the irony. Luna’s Day Today I found a young pegasus filly named Night Breeze who seemed willing to take part in my experiments. Of course, her parents also agreed. I will attempt to impart some of my control over the air (naturally, only a tiny part of my abilities will be enough to give a mortal supreme control over the air) into her. Despite some of my brethren’s beliefs that only unicorns possess the ability to control and direct magic due to their horn, I am certain that if I as an earth pony can control the currents, a pegasus might have even more ability to do so due to their wings. It will be taking place in the lab I discovered yesterday. Here’s hoping that all goes well. Magic can be unpredictable at times, but there is no other way to proceed than through research and risks. Igni’s Day The experiment was a success! Night Breeze was extremely excited, especially after riding on the winds at such a high speed to get to my lab. I was able to impart enough of my magic that she can now manipulate clouds with ease and tell how fast the air is flowing. I won’t give her any more of my magic because it would be too much for a filly to control, but she will most likely take on some aspects of my personality due to the magic transference. I will continue to look into the risks and benefits of giving some of our magic to mortals. Aer’s Day Cancer came to see me at my house today. She wanted to see if a rumor going around the capital was true. Specifically, the rumor that I had come and taken a pegasus filly away to experiment on. There was no way to answer that question. She knew me well enough to know when I was lying and if I told the truth she would tear me apart with her words. Stupid motherly instincts. So I did the only logical approach: I told her that I had been to see a filly, but I didn’t take her away. She gave me a skeptical look but then moved on to other topics. I have a feeling that this is going to come back and make me regret it. Sola’s Day It seems like everyone is suspicious of me. Though we didn’t have council the other day, people keep dropping by my house asking me all sorts of questions. I wish Night Breeze had kept her mouth shut regarding the experiment. I guess I should have expected that a filly would brag about being talked to by one of the Twelve, not to mention being taken to who knows where. I have been going to my lab frequently to continue more experiments by myself. The caves serve as an excellent location to study. I am currently in the process of moving some of my more… hazardous experiments to there for safety. Hopefully nothing will explode in transit like it did the last time I moved things out of the dungeon. Aer’s Day After the council meeting tomorrow, I will proceed in my experiment based upon analyzing the different races in their natural habitat. I hope all will go well. It should, based upon my research thus far. If I succeed, we will not have to look for a way to impart our magic to mortals, for this new race will have mastery over it and characteristics of them all. Council Day Our bi-monthly council meeting went as well as could be expected. Taurus and Aries refused to listen, Libra tried to keep peace, Sage was busy fiddling with whatever he found interesting, and the Twins kept everyone else entertained instead of focusing on the real problem at hand. I know we’re immortal and have all the time in the world, but sooner or later we have to look to the future and move forwards. The others are idiots if they don’t get that. But I was able to ignore it better than usual because I cannot wait to spend the week working with my experiment. [pages torn out] Terra’s Day Thank goodness council only has to meet once every two weeks. I couldn’t stand to be with those buffoons right now. I was searching through my private library for something, anything that could help me quell the monster I unleashed. Another lab gone, the few experiments there escaped. Luna’s Day I had to do it. There was no other way. Our world would have suffered if that thing I made found its way out of the caves. But now no one will ever know what I did and what I did to myself to end the problem. Igni’s Day I fear that the creature created a wound that will not heal on its own. I was foolish to think that I could have created a new species, the one to lead these mortal ponies on. Instead I created a beast that lives only to prey upon others. Agua’s Day I have no choice. The wound has begun to fester and I, for all my knowledge, know not how to heal it. I must go to Cancer. For once, I fear for my life. Very few things can kill an immortal, but this has been feeding off of my magic and weakens me daily. And so I must turn to the only pony I have called a friend. * *A real and historic document, albeit heavily degraded, discovered in ancient ruins along with many others written by different authors. It has been included in this book as is to provide accurate evidence of the Constellation Wars. Each book was restored through magic so that they are readable today and can be found in the restricted archives of the Canterlot library.