//------------------------------// // Orion // Story: Mythquestria // by Starlit Skies //------------------------------// The constellation Orion is one of the most famous and easily seen constellations in the night sky. It is one of the few constellations visible throughout all of Equus and is very useful for navigation at sea. It is one of the larger star patterns and has been studied greatly by astronomers. It is named Orion after a warrior from ancient Equestrian myths, though his origins are unknown. One common myth is that he hunted down the spawn of chaos after Discord’s first defeat, though another says that he was raised to the stars after valiantly defending Princess Luna. Many cultures around the world have different myths on the origin of Orion and scholars are unable to determine which one is true, if any of them are. —Excerpt from An Introduction to the Stars “Well that was certainly an interesting idea. Who wrote this collection again?” “That’s the confusing thing Mrs. Dewey. It seems that Star Swirl the Bearded wrote it along with the Celestial Sisters. But I just can’t see that Star Swirl would write a work of fiction. He didn’t write any other fictional stories.” “Then,” the librarian said, an amused look on her face, “You have to consider the idea that it isn’t fiction. What is it that Sherclop Holmes said? ‘Eliminate all other factors and the one that remains must be the truth.’” “But—“ Twilight started to say. “No buts. If Star Swirl never wrote any other fictional stories, then that means that this is most likely nonfiction as well. Coupled with the fact that the Princess wanted you to read it and that she apparently assisted in the authoring of it, this book is genuine fact.” Mrs. Dewey then reclined in her chair, a smug look on her face as she looked at alicorn in denial. “If this was real, it would disprove some other historical texts.” “Not true. Aside from a few contained in the restricted section, historical texts only go back to after Princess Celestia and Princess Luna came to power. And, though I probably shouldn’t be telling you this as you aren’t yet allowed in there, the books in the restricted section back up some of these myths.” Twilight continued to stare at her fillyhood mentor with a look of half disbelief and half confusion. “They do? Now I can’t wait to see what is in there. They could contain fountains of knowledge.” “Yes they do and need I remind you that you hold one of those books in your hooves? Now if you would be so kind to read the next myth, it’s about stars. I’ve always liked the stars.” Twilight glanced down at her lap, her eyes skimming across the simple title Orion. She gave a resigned sigh and started to read the words on the page. “There was a time during Discord’s reign that a resistance arose…” *** There was a time during Discord’s reign that a resistance arose, a resistance to overthrow chaos and reestablish order and peace. It was no small task to overthrow a god, for only the items of the gods can defeat them. And the gods had left behind very little when they left the world of Equestria and even fewer items were known of. Specifically, three items, trees rooted in the creation and essence of the world. One had sunk with the greatest city in existence, while another was impossible to find without the help of an immortal. Only one even had the possibility of being reached: the Tree of Harmony. In the resistance, a plan was made to journey to the Tree of Harmony and retrieve its fruit to combat the forces of chaos. The two children of the gods who had sided with the forces of good were the ones to go, accompanied by a few elite guards and the captain of the resistance military: Orion. The path to the foot of the mountain was fraught with danger and evils spawned from chaos awaited the party at every turn. The party fought its way to the forest Everfree, but not without great loss. Only three arrived at the entrance to the mystical wood, Orion and the two he had been charged with protecting: Luna and Celestia. Throughout the perils and danger, Luna and Orion had begun to experience an emotion that they had never felt before. They had begun to love each other. They loved each other passionately and deeply. Not knowing what they would encounter in the Everfree, they asked Celestia, Luna’s sister, to marry the two of them so that no matter what happened, they could one day be reunited. And so, on the shores of the Everfree, Luna Astrum and Captain Orion Venator were wed. The three ponies ventured into the woods of the Everfree with haste, for the minions of the enemy were still hard on their heels. Crossing the forest and fighting their way through the native inhabitants, they arrived at a gorge, deep and long, spanned by an ancient wooden bridge that led into a dark stone tunnel, barely wide enough for a single pony. Celestia started to cross, but only made it halfway before the enemy caught up with them at the age-old cliff. Orion sent Luna out onto the bridge and stood at the opposite end to give them time to cross over. After Luna and Celestia crossed over into the tunnel, Orion sacrificed himself and cut the bridge so that they would be safe. Emerging from the tunnel as alicorns, for realizing their destiny in front of the tree as children of the gods, they saw the chasm, now uncrossable without flight. The two sisters rushed over to where Orion had fallen as they emerged from the tunnel, their new magic expelling all of the forces of evil and completely obliterating them in the grief that had overtaken the siblings. As Luna reached where her new husband lay, he saw her one last time and died peacefully, his mission to protect the ones that he loved the most finally completed. To honor him, Luna raised his spirit into the stars where he could be seen throughout the world, rearranging them in order to remember and honor him for eternity. And so a legend was born: the legend of the brave warrior Orion and the alicorn he loved till death.