//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Stories of the Past // Story: Tales of Symphonia: Quest for Harmony // by Aleria_Lief //------------------------------// Twilight focused intently on her experiment. This would be her third attempt to modify the genetics of a Corpse Lilly to be better suited for indoor growing; however, her previous attempts had succeeded in making it smell worse or grow at a phenomenal rate, making it difficult to remove. She watched intently as a small drop of her potion fell on to the flower. A puff of beautifully colored fragrant smoke filled the room. She let a small smile slip onto her face as the smoke cleared. "I've done it!" she said to her self looking at the pot holding her newest creation, but a short while later she realized that she had not modified the plant at all. She had merely banished it from her home. Her smile fell "Why can't I get this right..." she grumbled. Another try failed yet again leaving a horde of corpse lilies in the room waiting to be cleaned up. she began considering the failure of her experiments she decided to speak with Zecora....and perhaps pick up a bucket on the way. "Spike!" she called, only to have him respond "No way! I'm not going down there again! Last time I had to bring a mop..." she let out sigh and walked up the stairs into the throne room where spike was hiding. She sighed looking around the room. Seven thrones sat in a circle one for every element plus one for spike. She quickly located him by the small piece of his tail sticking out from behind her throne. She smiled and dragged him out with her magic. "I need to go to Zecora's for some advise and you are coming with me." She grabbed her saddle bags and spike. Then, exited her castle and set out for the Everfree Forest. As she entered she notice an eerie calm had set over the forest. The usual dark intimidating forest seemed to have changed somehow. The fog that had clouded her path making it difficult to see where she was going had lifted showing clear paths and trails. Sun shined brightly threw the once twisted scary trees and they now were home to young birds chirping as if to call for their mother and father. No longer did the forest feel threatening it felt like a home of many animals enjoying the summer weather. The eyes that once watched her had disappeared as if they never existed at all leaving her to wonder if she was even in the right forest. "Spike! Take a letter. The Everfree Forest had changed in a unexpected way. It seems to have lost its dark atmosphere, however, I still do not trust it. I request permission to investigate at once." With a burst of fire Spike sent the letter to Celestia and quickly received a response. Dear Twilight Sparkle You may investigate the forest. However you may want to bring your friends and speak with Zecora as well. Please report back to me with your findings - Celestia With renewed vigor she trotted off to Zecora's ram shackled hut, hopping she might be able to provide an explanation for the strange events. She arrived at Zercora's small hut a short while later then proceeded to knock on the door. It only took a few short moments for Zercora to answer. "Greetings Princess Twilight what reason does your presence grace our hut tonight?" "Well I originally came to ask about gardening but....the forest it changed...It seems...Brighter...Zecora, what's going on here?" She asked walking into the small home. "There is nothing to fear the end of pain has come to the land upon which you leer." Zecora spoke with a small smile. "What do you mean?" Twilight asked. "Let me tell you a story of pain and glory. A story from long ago of a man who simply could not let go. Consumed by pain he began a campaign. One of much death that would restore his sisters breath. His world divided our world now his chaos resided. This forest became his dwelling. His power consumed his chaos swelling. Changes came to the land, to the very dirt upon which you stand. The forest grew and his chaos continued to stew. The only way to undo the pain it had gone through. Was to strike him down and start anew. So now you understand the changes caused by his very hand." Zercora told her waiting for her reaction. She did not quite understand what the story meant but she knew the it was a very important part of solving the mystery of the Everfree forest. She began thinking of what needed to done, and the first thing on her list was to find her friends before continuing down this path. She quickly called goodbye to Zecora then ran out the door and back to Ponyville. Since Fluttershy's house was the closest she would go there first. Before she knew it she was standing at the door waiting for Fluttershy to answer. The door opened revealing her good friend who smiled when seeing her "Oh hi Twilight...Would you like to come in?" "There is no time. We must find the others and head to the Everfree forest to investigate the strange events." "Oh Twilight I would love to help but.....Angels sick..." The aforementioned bunny stood beside her looking very much well tapping his foot impatiently. She simply grabbed her friends hoof and said "Discord can take care of him, let go." "B-but..." Fluttershy tried to protest but was dragged along anyways. She let out a sigh and gave up fighting. Twilight was going to make her come anyway. Next they went to Sweet Apple Acres to locate Applejack. They arrived at the massive farm that supported most of Ponyville and began walking up to the Apple family home. On their way up their way there they look at the fields of crops and orchards hopping to spot their friend. They soon arrived to the front door having no luck in find her themselves they knocked hopping she was either inside or Granny Smith, Big Macintosh or Applebloom would know where she had gone. Twilight knocked quickly then waited for the answer. Applebloom came to the door "Hi Twilight!" she said looking at her big sisters friend. "Oh, Hi Applebloom have you seem Applejack?" she asked. "Not since she went to town this morning." Applebloom Replied. "Thank you Applebloom." Twilight said turning away and heading towards town. Twilight and Fluttershy made their way towards town flying just a short distance above the ground. We should see Rainbow Dash before to long. she thought to her self scanning the skies. They walked along for a while longer then just as twilight predicted they saw Rainbow Dash laying back in a tree. "Rainbow Dash!" she called out to her. The napping Pegasus looked up "Yeah?" "We are going to the Everfree Forest to investigate the strange events." She shrugged "Okay." Then, she flew down to join them. After Rainbow Dash joined them, they set out to find Applejack. It did not take them long for them to find Applejack's fruit stand in the middle of Ponyville. Twilight ran over "Applejack! We need your help. We are going to investigate the strange events in the Everfree Forest." Applejack sighed "O-okay..." Pinkie Pie had over heard the conversation "That sounds fun!" she cheered hoping over to them. "So now we just need rarity." Twilight said. Just a few minutes later they were standing in front of her door waiting on her to answer. Pinkie Pie smiled as the door opened "Hi rarity! Do you want to go with us into the scaaaaary Everfree Forest to figure out what's got Twilight so on edge!?" she asked. "Oh...um hi Pinkie Pie....N-no I think I'll stay home...That forest is so dark and musky...." "Rarity we need your help." Twilight said. "Fine... But I simply cannot go looking like this!" After ten minutes of Rarity searching through her veritable ton of clothing she finally joined them they set out for the Everfree forest. As they entered they all noticed the changes. "Wow" Applejack commented "Is this really the Everfree forest?" "It caught me off guard too" Twilight said. "but yes this is indeed the same forest. That is why we must find out what has caused the change." Applejack sighed "Well then we should go talk to Zecora." "I already have...." Twilight said "She really couldn't shed any light on the situation...." "So what did she say?" "Something about a legend of the forest....to be honest it confused me more then it helped..." Twilight said. "I see..." Applejack said "Well no use in standing around here. Lets have a look around." Twilight nodded and lead them deeper into the oddly bright forest. The deeper they got the odder things got. Animals they didn't know existed seemed to run and play everywhere. Like a small green creature with two leafy antenna on its head. Twilight quickly pulled out a book and began noting it's appearance down. "This is amazing! It's almost like this came from a completely different world!" Applejack sighed "Sugarcube, we can look at the new animals....if that even is an animal... later right now we gotta figure out what the hay is going on here." "Right!" Twilight said continuing forward. The forest was dense and difficult to navigate but they pushed forward anyway. They looked for anything that might help them figure it out. "Twilight...Where are we even supposed to start to look..." Rarity complained "This forest is sooooo dense..." She grumbled tripping over a small gem "Huh?" she mumbled looking down. At the ground. A red gem sitting in a golden fixture. 'Its soooo pretty....' She thought picking it up. 'I should tell Twilight about-NO! its mine she will only take it away!' she put the necklace on then walked over to the others. Twilight looked at her then noticed the new necklace "Rarity where did that necklace come from?" "Oh this old thing?" "Well um yeah but you weren't wearing it earlier." "No your mistaken I've been wearing all day." she said "Oh I thought....never mind..." they continued to explore when they came to a small clearing with a white circular pad in the middle of this. "What is this...." Twilight said out loud. the others gathered around it. "It's probably some kind of teleporter thingy that will take us to a entirely different world!" Pinkie Pie said looking at the thing "Oooooh lets step on it and see what happens!" "Pinkie! No-" Twilight started but was to late. Pinkie Pie had already stepped onto the strange devise disappearing as soon as she touched it. "Come on girls we have to follow her!" she said stepping on the white pad her self, the others followed shortly after.