//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Equestrian Fantasy V // by MinoKiri //------------------------------// Wind, Water, Fire, Earth. These were the four elements that kept the earth together. Each element was embodied in a crystal of magic. The power of these magical crystals seemed to be infinite, so the kingdoms of the world used its power in the name of peace and prosperity. But the grave secret hidden within the crystals remains untold… ---------- One fateful dawn, a pegasus king stepped out of the central tower of his castle. He had a hardy body type with a dark blue coat and a light brown mane. Most of his features were not visible due to his full body armor which was the same color as his coat. He was king of the mighty kingdom of wind by the name of Hurrifane. A stale breeze blew into his mane as he walked out onto the roof where his pet resided; his armor clanking as he took each step. His pet was a pale blue Hiryuu, or commonly known as a Wind Drakes. Hiryuus are majestic dragon/wyvern-like creatures that soar through the sky. They’re known to be the fastest fliers in the entire world besides the legendary Black Chocobo. The beast rose as it heard his master approaching stretching out its wings. The pegasus stood next to the Hiryuu petting its head as he scanned the view from the top of the tower. There were placid woods and tall mountains as far as the eye could see. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the journey ahead of him. He heard hoofsteps from behind him and turned around to find his daughter standing before him. She had a yellow coat with a flowing pink mane. He was pleased to see her in her favorite pink dress, but she didn’t seem to be thrilled at all. “Father…” whispered the mare, “Do you really have to go?” “Yes I do, Fluttershy, but I won’t be gone for long,” answered the father in a tender voice. “B-but,” muttered Fluttershy. The pegasus got herself together. “I-I want to come with you.” The mare remained bold in front of her father, undeterred by her usually shyness. She loved her father above anything else in the entire world, and she was not going to let him go without her. She knew the trip was going to be dangerous, and she wanted to be with him to support him. The stallion saw the determination in her daughter, and his heart warmed to know that she cared about him so much. However, he shook his head putting aside his emotions for this matter. “No. I cannot do that, dear,” said the king in a stern voice, “I appreciate your concern, but I cannot let you accompany me. It’s far too dangerous.” Fluttershy look to the ground dejectedly. Her prior confidence shut down. The father looked back to the forests surrounding his castle and sighed. “I won’t let you come along, but I’ll tell you this. There is something wrong with the wind… The air is stale and winds are getting weaker by the second,” said the father, “I must go to the Wind Shrine to make certain nothing’s happened to the crystal.” “I’ve noticed… but for you to go alone-“ “Fluttershy,” smiled the king tenderly, “You don’t have to worry about a thing. I’ll be back in no time.” The king hopped onto the Hiryuu and the wind drake took off into the sky. The king didn’t have the stamina to fly across the world especially with his armor on, so he took his Hiryuu. His daughter watched her father go out into the horizon, clinging onto the pendant on her neck. ---------- A young pirate lounged on the deck of the ship. The raibow mared pegasus laid on his back as the wind cooled him off while he basked in the sun in laziness. Suddenly the breeze cut off. The pirate instantly got up noticing the sudden change. He put his hoof into the air and felt nothing blowing. He flew up into the air, but the air was completely stagnant. He landed back down on the deck and whispered to himself, “The wind…. it stopped.” He looked back into the sky. “Okay, boys! Take down the sails!” shouted the rainbow mared pirate. “Yes, Cap’n!” the pirates shouted back following the young captain’s orders. “Syldra!” called the captain, “Were going home!” ---------- Inside a tremoring cave, an old, bearded unicorn glared at the ground. He repeatedly stomped his hoof on the ground in aggravation and annoyance. “Come on!” he screamed at the top of his lungs, “Hurry up, damn it!” The unicorn started to pace around after he let out some steam. He walked towards the end of the cave and examined a black stone. “Looks like the power is running out. I hope I even reach there in the first place let alone on time,” muttered the unicorn. The unicorn stomped his hoof on the ground, “No more doubts. I will save the crystals! There is no room for error!” ---------- Fluttershy still stood on the roof the central tower looking in the direction her father disappeared, and then, she noticed a change in the wind. The wind was completely still. “No,” she said. She leaped off of the central tower flying towards the Wind Shrine. “Please… be safe!” she screamed desperately. ---------- The king ran through the Wind Shrine as fast as his legs could carry him. He tackled the doors that led to the chamber where the crystal resided, but the crystal was shaking and contorting. “What!?” shouted the king as he viewed the crystal powerlessly. The crystal of the element of wind cracked. The power of the crystal leaked out of the sliver and exploded. Hurricane-like winds erupted from the discharge and blasted the king into the walls, pinning him as he helplessly struggled to get out of the room. The hurricane continued to blow for it seemed like an eternity. Finally, the gust slowly subsided and the king fell to the ground. Most of his armor was torn off by the winds and ones still on him were deeply dented from his collision with the wall. He felt his muscles relax and then go numb. The king’s head hit the ground with a loud thud. Most of the crystal disintegrated into a fine dust, leaving only 4 tiny shards of the crystal, the size of a unicorn’s horn, but bearing great power within them.