> The Elements of Unity > by Ponyess > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Before the Fall: 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had all begun, as the mood of the community was getting muddier, and fear was holding a grip of the heart. Some of us had started to plan ahead, in order to have the first and best chance to escape. I wasn't the first, but when I got wind of it, I did choose to be quiet, biding the time. I still did go along, playing it safe and pretend it was a text. We all knew what the night meant, if it was to take hold. Ponies of all types, proffecions and walks of life were joining, I had noticed. Just as I noticed the eyes off the ponies, on the few meetings I had been to. I wanted to believe, just as everypony else did. I would have been a fool, had I not? I, like my friends, tried to keep our busynesses open, as if nothing happened. I knew no other way of coping with, what was at hoof, since stoping to ponder was merely madening. I couldn't look back. I recognice ponies from all walks of life, from most every part of Equestria. Ponies from each and every community known, and a few not so well known once as well. Cooks and dressers from Canterlot, Farmers from Ponyville, and Appaloosa, Merchants from Vanhoover, manehattan, Fillydelphia, Baltimare and even Canterlot. We have Librarians and teachers from every community I could name. Weather ponies from not only CloudsDale, but Ponyville, Manehattan, Vanhoover, Las Pegasus and Dodge Junction. I know I don't know everypony. The finer details may matter, but for this purpose, I believe I'm painting a clear picture for you to see what we have to work with. We all came, because we fear the relaps, and the havoc from the aftermath of what had just transpired. > A Convergence: 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Houses had been built, as we reunited with our brethren. There is a large building in the centre of the village, but our numbers are too few, what were we to do? As an Arch priestess, it is my responsibility to keep us united, with the help of the High priestesses in each of the parts of town. I delegate to them, what needs to be done, such is my task. Moving openly, proudly amongst all, as a priestess, I am expected to be seen, after all. The fact that I am one of the least appreciated of all types of Equestria did not stop me. I wear the symbol, allowing everypony to know who I am, and what I am. There is no mistaking me, for anything but the priestess. The pegasi manage our weather from their apex in the clouds, the earth ponies harvest our food, the bats keep the night safe, while the flutter ponies keeps their eyes open. Yet, we still rely on the unicorns to work their magic, while the changelings do, what we desire out of them. As the Arch Priestess, it is entrusted to me, to know what needs to be done, to lead us into the prosperity everyone desire. Yet, I can't know everything, even with the best help from the pegasi and bet scouts, flying far and wide in search of what we need, both materials and intelligence to keep us safe. There is a point, where I could wait, no longer. I need to move forwards, even when we don't have enough ponies to keep us going. It's a grim task, and it was on my shoulders this was resting firmly As much as I may not desire it, but this is when I had to push. It is my responsibility to initiate the push, with that, I had ordered librarians to gather what little we had on the subjects, as well as spies to go forth, gathering information from whom ever knew anything we could use. The stream of incoming followers had all but stopped, while we're still woefully short on ponies to keep our community going. The choices are slim, but we need more ponies to support us. We can't kidnap unwilling ponies from anywhere in Equestria. Just as we can't go beyond, picking whom we chose to take part. They would be missed and asked for, we would bring down, just what we had made such an effort to escape. After weeks and hard work, a librarian had stumbled upon something, a new means of aquring the ponies we so desperately are in need of. Now we had to go even further then previously expected, or even though possible. Ided by the magic at hoof, a few scouts had been sent off into the new realm in search for what we require. As it turned out, there are apparently lost individuals with no hope, individuals none would miss. Where they lived, they had no value, and the people there are aimless and powerless. Was this the horn of plenty we were wishing for? Could we bring any of them here? Naturaly, there is the small problem, they're not ponies in any form, not even beasts like Draons or Griffins of any variety we had heard of. There lay the challenge. Magic had it, we could bring them in, but to have them part of the community, they had to be born in new bodies, as ponies. I chose to take the first as an example, showing the way for my ponies. The only problem is that a pregnancy would still take us almost a year, before the first pony was even born. After two months, the burden trickled down the line, and seven more individuals had been selected for this purpose. Seven ponies directly under me were given a pregnancy to handle. The task is as of yet working out satisfactory. Two months later, every last priestess had been given a pregnancy to care for, as a sign of whom they are, and to demonstrate the loyalty to our people, our ponies. Finally, this was going to start make a difference, even if several of us now were going to slip out of duty for months. Thankfully ideas were put forth, responsibilities and work were shifted among our numbers, the efforts slowly started to become more manageable. One mare could care for more than a single foal, and making it into a group effort made it even more convenient. Elderly ponies were given new tasks more in line with their abilities, in order for them to feel more useful, just as well as relieving others of these tasks. They were mentoring the young, experience put to good use. > A Convergence: 3 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had been stumbling around in the forest for a week, fearing I was lost and without hope. There was very little of my supplies remaining, food running scares. I was tired and exhausted as I came to the clearing. What I saw could as well have been heaven. A small community had been erected, not too long ago by the looks of it. Ponies is living her, I could both see and hear it. Then something hit me, what I saw was from the terrors of old stories. A Changeling trotting openly on the street. Then the true shock hit me, if a Changeling was moving openly, Nightmare had to be very far away and oblivious of this place. Unless she could be that evil. Yet I couldn't see her trusting them, even if her uncaring state had little to nothing to fear. What truly stunned me, is how she moved openly before me. She didn't try to hide, no reactions on me at all. It is as if I had trotted right into a hive of Changelings, as if I had merely been a Changeling returning from a mission in disguise. She wasn't the only Changeling on the street, but no Pony reacted on her presence either. What I had stumbled upon felt like a very uneasy peace, Ponies huddling together for mutual protection against something more fearsome than any of the various Ponies I could see. I had seen several Earth Ponies, a Pegaus and a few Unicorns. These types I knew and trusted. What I didn't know or recognise is what came next. A pair of Ponies trotting side by side, a Bat Pony and a Flutter Pony, if only I had even known the names. I stumbled and missed a step, the mental challenge tipping me over completely. I had reached as far as my hooves could take me. I felt darkness engulfing me, but apparently no fear. I had heard voices. First they had felt as if they grew distant and muddled before vanishing. Then they had grown closer, until I thought I could make out individual Ponies. That is about the time when I had opened my eyes. What I saw as my vision finally cleared enough to make out the face is an Earth Pony standing over me where I lay on a gurney. Ponies had gathered me and the last of my remaining possessions where I fell. They had apparently taken me indoors and placed me on what feels like a soft bed. If it is a Hotel or a Hospital, unless it serves both purposes. Then I noticed a metal plate or necklace around her neck. The symbol of her status of Pristes of the Earth Ponies. She is my type, by the looks of it. Earth bound and no open use of magic of any kind. Maybe I had come home, of sorts. “I am your High Priestess. I am most pleased to see that you managed to make it into our small Town of Unity. The Nurses will look over you and you will stay here over the day. Hopefully you will be well enough by tonight or at least tomorrow, so that we can find you a proper home. We Eart Ponies are entrusted to build homes for all the Earth Bound Ponies. Now, just rest so that you can recover from the ordeal of the journey!” she spoke. “High Priestess of Unity?” I responded weakly in a curious voice. “Yes, that is me. Though there is a High Priestes of the other Types as well. The Unicorns, the Pegasi, the Bat Ponies, the Flutter Ponies, the Sea Ponies and the Changelings. We all live here. Safe from the common threat, we live together in Unity. I hope you will enjoy your new life here and find it comfortable and productive!” she continued. “The Unicorns and the Pegasi I know and trust. Who the Bat Ponies, the Flutter Ponies and the Sea Ponies are, I have no idea. What little I know of the Changelings sounds bad. Yet, if they do us no harm, who am I to judge them? I am a simple Earth Pony and fearful of the ever so dark nights we so recently saw chased away. If houses needs to be erected, I could help, though my work would be on the fields as a farmer!” I responded. “That fear is exactly why we all gathered here in the first place. Now we try to build a new life for ourselves, free of the fear. We need every Pony to build up a life for ourself here in Unity. Together we shall thrive, together, we will enjoy life once more. I assure you, there is room for more farms here. Starvation serves fear, there can be no room for fear within our midst!” she concluded. “A new life, away from all fear and what reminds us of our recent losses? Right now, I would enjoy some sense of normality. Ponies caring to help other ponies with every day problems. Just seeing a happy smile, the simple pleasures, as it were!” I responded. “Yes, but now you need rest I have filled you in on the situation for now. Besides, I think you could use a good meal, too!” she pointed out as she hasted away to other duties. I lay back, resting, trying as best I could, taking in what she had just told me. Trying to integrate all the new into my life. I had had a home and family, before we set out, before the Cult had darkened the sky. I had had everything I thought I wanted, now I have next to nothing. The High Priestes had greeted me welcome, which warmed my now cold heart. She had promised me a new home. Then she had gone to her other duties, and in her place came a Nurse. Another Earth Pony as it turned out. She is a white mare with green mane and tail. Then I noticed the green leaves on her flank. “A salad for lunch should do you a world of good right about now, the pasties would make you feel better, then some juice to wash it all down in order to complete your meal!” she suggested helpfully. “Yes, please!” I admitted, looking up, trying to thank her the best I could as I saw the delicious salad she offered me. “Maybe I could make you some company. Even if I don't eat anything right now?” she then added. “Sounds delightful!” I responded as I started to enjoy he salad she had offered me. That apparently brought a smile to her face. She gave me the impression she was a great nurse, though she could be very good with ponies in general. I just nodded. Enjoying the fairly simple salad. > A Home-Coming: 4 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had managed to pull myself to the border of the community now known as Unity. Just that I had had little more hen myself with me. I had managed to get here, then they helped me the rest of the way. They lifted me up and carried me the rest of the way, to the Hospital, as it were. There I had been given time to recuperate and gather my strength. They even gave me food, and all for free. Then I managed to get home on my own. The safe home I had been dreaming of, all the time I was spending in the seemingly futile attempt to get to where I am. I had found the Villa in the section of Unity where the other Earth Ponies dwell. It is a home. A solid wooden door. Behind it I found a hall. Then there is a living room. I even have a sofa and a table before it, apparently. I could but guess, every Pony had been given the same. My kitchen is behind a door to the right. I even did have food and equipment to prepare my food. Though the most pleasing at this point in time is a small bowl of salad. Even as an Earth Pony I could carry it to the table and enjoy the simple meal. Simple, but satisfying. Some Pony had prepared it for me just the day before I was released from the Hospital, since it is still fresh and tastes great. The crispy Vegetables momentarily shocked me into silence. I simply enjoyed my meal in quiet contemplation. I found the mares' room behind the door next to the kitchen. I guess it is convenient. The room was prepared for me, or any lonely Mare moving in. Either way, it solves a problem I could have found very embarrassing, without this solution. I had found the stairs to the upper floor. There is a bed room complete with a bed and a night stand. I even have a wardrobe, as barren as it looks, since there is no clothes inside of it right now. Aside from that, it is complete to the letter. Then I found a hidden storage under my bed. The first half is empty, while the other was containing various work clothes and a casual suit, comprised of a top and a skirt. At this point, I decided on resting for a moment after the effort of going home, exploring most of my home and all that. I simply slipped the quilt in towards the wall before I lie down, enjoying the softness of the mattress in my new bed. How ever they had managed to bring a bed to my home. Then I slipped the quilt back over my body and closed my eyes, just enjoying the moment of rest. A moment later I opened my eyes, pulled the quilt off of me and sat up. Then I focused on the diary I had been given. Apparently it contains an almanac as well in the back. I read the names of the days. “Rainbow, Flutter, Apple, Pink, Rarity,, Twilight and Spike” These looks like the Elements of Harmony, and the name of their friendly Dragon. How curious. I guess they had a reason behind it all. Naming the last day of the week after the Dragon makes it special. It stands out, as if it is the day we are supposed to rest. Then I noticed a Map over the Unity on the first page. I can see where every type of Pony lives, even if I couldn't go to most of them. I can't walk on clouds among the Pegasi or swim with the Sea Ponies. I can move freely among the Earth Ponies, and he Unicorns. We're both Earth bound Ponies. I guess I could go up the mountain to the Bats cave and stand by the side of the water and see the Sea Ponies. Apparently, I had arrived at a community even more complex than the one I came from. I know of both Unicorns and Pegasi, but the Bat Ponies, the Flutter Ponies and the Sea Ponies I know nothing about. Who and what are they. I can assume, from what I knew of the Pegasi, applying it to the other avian Ponies. I could hope they are still Ponies, just like myself, deep down. As to the Changelings. I had been told stories. They can fly like the Pegasi and weald Magic like the Unicorns. In this respect, they are like the Alicorns, only set aport far enough for us to trust them above the Alicorns, like Luna who became Nightmare Moon, her cult is what set us off on the Journy here in the first place. The Changelings would have been threatened by the cult, just as seriously as we are. Apparently, the rest of the pages are blank, with nothing but the lines on which to write. I chose to write an entry in the book, leaving the date blank. “Thanks, Diary. For being here with me. I have just arrived home. Now I can build myself a life here!” I wrote quietly. I slipped the book back in its place where I had found it. Then I turned my face towards the door and walked out of the bed room, closed the door behind me and walked down the stairs to the living room. First now I had time to examine it. Once downstairs, I had walked into the kitchen and poured myself a pitcher of cool water, then walked to the living room with a glass, pouring me some water and enjoyed it, while sitting in my sofa. While sitting down, my eyes wondered along the walls, finding the book case, with a sparse collection. I put the glass down, then walk around the table and up to the books. Looking closer, I find a map book, aside from a cook book and a selection of other useful books. Apparently I had not been given any literature for the sake of reading. Maybe they have a bookstore or a library? I guess it still is good to have a map of the city in which I live.