//------------------------------// // A Proper Translation // Story: The Lost Element // by Lienia Harmony //------------------------------// Chapter 4: A Proper Translation The other bearers were soothing Twilight, reassuring her that the misunderstanding was a simple mix up, and Celestia’s habit of sending things when everyone was asleep. Lienia on the other hand was silent, taking her time as she slowly worked through the scroll, writing down sentences that weren’t even close to what Twilight had gotten. Spike watched in excitement. “Wow, it really is second nature to you, Lienia!” the dragon said in excitement. “And you don’t even need a dictionary!” “Because I learned from the Royal High Historian himself. He was happy to have a pony interested in the Archives. He wasn’t fluent in Equestrian, so he assigned me translation assignments after he taught me Ancient Cervidian,” the unicorn said as she remained focused on the text. “How old were you when you were learning?” “I started when I was five. And I studied until I was sent here when I was 10 during the civil war,” the unicorn said, and finished the translation. “Finished.” She handed the translation to Spike, then walked over to the desk as she carefully rolled the scroll and wrapped a ribbon around it carefully but snuggly. “Lienia, what are you doing?” Rarity asked, walking over. “I’m going to send this back to Celestia, with a note reprimanding her for sending it to Twilight without proper instruction of how to treat Ancient Scrolls and through dragonfire! Ancient texts weren’t made to be treated so roughly,” she snapped, sounding like an old historian pony. Twilight leapt to her hooves. “You can’t send her a letter like that—” “I can and I will. I am not a really citizen of this country anyway, so I am allowed to make a judgment. Also I thought there was free speech in this country? Princess or not, Twilight Sparkle, YOU cannot tell me what to do,” the unicorn turned to Spike and cast a spell on the parchment in his hand, creating an exact replica, which she rolled around the older scroll carefully before also wrapping a ribbon around it, then taking out a fresh parchment and began to write her letter to the Solar Princess. “No ruler is above reprimanding.” The other ponies in the room stared in shock, a joint thought between them. Nopony has ever spoken or even dared to speak to the Princess like that! Lienia spoke aloud softly as she wrote. “Dear Princess Celestia. Enclosed is the Ancient Cervidian Scroll you sent to Twilight Sparkle, as well as a copy the translation I’ve finally been able to complete after Spike located the letter that was to inform them to do so. I would also like to ask you HOW IN TARTARUS DID YOU THINK IT WAS A SAFE IDEA TO SEND AN ANCIENT SCROLL THROUGH DRAGONFIRE! WHETHER OR NOT THE SPELL AUTOMATICALLY PROTECTS THE ITEM SENT, YOU COULD HAVE DESTROYED A VITAL PIECE OF BOTH EQUESTRIAN AND CERVIDIAN HISTORY! YOU ALSO DID NOT TEACH TWILIGHT SPARKLE THE PROPER AWAY TO TREAT SUCH TEXTS! SHE WAS TREATING IT AS IF IT WAS ONE OF HER FRIENDSHIP LETTERS! BEFORE YOU DO THIS AGAIN, I SUGGEST YOU TEACH HER HOW TO PROPERLY CARE FOR ANCIENT TEXTS! That is all I have to say. Sincerely, Lienia Harmony Belle.” The room all had horrified looks as she rolled the letter around the first two scrolls, then unrolled it and rolled Twilight’s translation around it, and added a P.S. stating it was included before rewrapping the letter, and then sending it off with her own magic. “I can’t believe you included my translation,” Twilight said as she hung her head in shame. “To show how idiotic you were for not accepting help when it was offered,” the unicorn said, taking the translation from Spike. “Now would you like to hear the proper translation of that scroll or would you like to remain a stubborn idiot?” Applejack walked over. “Personally, Ah’d like to hear what all ya translated from that there paper.” “I myself am also curious, Darling,” Rarity said as she sat beside her adoptive sister. “I’m curious too,” Fluttershy said softly. “READ IT!!!” Pinkie said as she jumped up in the air crazily. “And I can throw you a “AWESOME TRANSLATER OF THE ANCIENT SCROLL THINGY” Party.” “That isn’t necessary Pinkie…” Lienia sighed. Rainbow landed on the ground beside her. “I’m curious because we haven’t heard anything, but about that scroll from Twilight.” Twilight sat down. “I would like to hear as well…” Lienia nodded, and held up the scroll. “Here goes…” she cleared her throat. “The holder of this text holds in their hands the histories of the Equestrian kingdom's strongest defense--The Elements of Harmony. Some think there are six, and while they function with just the elements of Magic, Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, and Laughter, there is one element that not even the Royal Sisters know of... The Element of Peace.” “I’ve researched the elements! There’s nothing about an—” Twilight kind of stopped, as everyone was kind of glaring at her. “Element of Peace… Sorry.” Lienia coughed. “Anyway…” she cleared her throat once more and continued. “This Element embodies all of the forms of Peace: the absence of war; harmonic relationships; lack of hostilities; calmness; tranquility. These things the other six can cause, but to properly strengthen these you need the Seventh which will work together with the element Magic in strength and power.” “I’m interjecting again,” The alicorn said, and the others groaned. “Twilight, face it; you and Celestia don’t know something the Elements,” Rainbow growled. “I need to say this: WHY would the Cervidians know about this element and we don’t?” “Pony Colonies have been in Cervidas for over two thousand years, Twilight. Perhaps an original bearer took it there for safe keeping,” Lienia sighed as she gave Twilight a look. “May I continue now, or are you going to continue questioning everything?” Twilight silenced. “Now please refrain from talking,” Lienia sighed as she started speaking again. “Beware thee who reads this. A great threat is coming to our world. Seeking a Vengeance on the world after being trapped by the original bearers. Unless the Seventh Element is found, The Spirit of Vengeance shall find a host and shall destroy and enslave the creatures of this world.” She paused, frowning slightly, but resumed reading. “Go to The Scorched Valley on the Eve on a Summer Full Moon. On the night of the Full seek the door on a Canyon Wall, then through Seven Trials of Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, Magic, and Peace, to find the key to the Chamber. Then Venture to the Lands of the Shattered Hoof, and find the Tomb of Harmonia, the original Bearer of Peace, and there you shall find the Element you seek.” The room was silent, and Spike sighed. “Another Nightmare Moon-like problem?” The others nodded and talked about the translation, while Lienia frowned, studying the last paragraph. Harmonia… where have I heard and or read that before? She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, as Spike burped up a letter—a reply to Lienia’s letter. “Lienia… It’s for you,” the purple dragon said hesitantly, and the rest of them all stared at the letter in his claw. Lienia put the translation down, and levitated up the letter, then slowly opened it and began to read it. “Dear Lienia Harmony-Belle. Thank you for the translation, despite the misplacement of my letter, and Twilight’s… attempt. I am very appreciative of your Honesty of how you responded, and your Loyalty to your birthplace and its ancient documents. Even more so, true to your birth family name, you further impressed me with the Kindness and Generosity you’ve shown with this brilliantly well translated copy that you provided us with, and I am very happy that you had decided to send me Twilight’s copy so my sister and I could enjoy some Laughter, and I am even FURTHER impressed by the advanced Magic you’ve showed in the instant send spell you used. If you would assist us once more, and join Twilight and the other Bearers when they come here to Canterlot. Sincerely, Solar Princess Celestia.” Slowly, Lienia looked up to see seven jaws hitting the floor. What am I getting into?