//------------------------------// // The Truth // Story: The Solar Steward // by kissfromarose2 //------------------------------// To Whomever seeks Truth I write this chronicle of our greatest weapon, so that in our darkest hour it may rise to protect us once more. The elements of harmony. Last used in the final days of the diarchy they were first discovered by the, then stateless, alicorns Celestia and Luna; under the direction of Princess Platinum, Chancellor Puddinghead and Commander Hurricane, in search of a way to stop the rogue centaur Tirek. They were first utilised in battle against the draconequus Discord, successfully encasing him in stone, where his madness could do no further harm, ending his brief but destructive reign of chaos. Following this event, the triarchy stepped down and the diarchy took its place. The next recorded use is against the tyrant Sombra, five years before the Night of the Nightmare. Our Princesses travelled alone to the frozen North, taking with them only the Elements of Harmony, against all counsel. Both returned, as did the elements, but, with the loss of the empire and the subsequent fractures in the once Harmonious diarchy, I can only assume the elements failed at this critical juncture, as they were only ever used once more, before disappearing entirely from record. That final, terrible, use was Nightmare Night when the Moon blotted out the Sun and the diarchy fell. Evidence is unclear of what exactly transpired on that last night. Much of the castle was destroyed and, that which remained, Princess Luna forbade anypony from investigating. Even the Nightmare itself is a mystery. Officially it was a vengeful spirit of some sort, escaped from Tartarus. But my lieutenant confirms Cerberus never left his post and I can think of no mere spirit who could bring both our Princesses so low. In addition remains the question of where Princess Luna was during the battle. Our sole remaining princess claims she was defeated and left unconscious by the Nightmare prior to the final battle, and only regained consciousness after it was over, and Princess Celestia had triumphed at the cost of her own life. Some witnesses, however, claim the Nightmare itself bore the mark of the Moon. Immediately following this Princess Luna moved court altogether away from the Everfree castle to Canterlot, leaving behind both the memories and the Elements behind. Now she forbids all mention of them, removing their influence from history, and any who speak their names from her presence. Why Princess Luna abandoned such powerful weapons as Magic, Loyalty Kindness, Honesty, Generosity, and Laughter I can only speculate. It is known neither sister used the elements alone, save for that fateful night. Perhaps Princess Luna could no longer draw on their power without her sister by her side. But that does not explain why she left them where our enemies could reach them, especially with the griffon's to the east looking hungrily at our borders. I do not wish to question my dimonarch, but there are too many inconsistencies for me to rest easy, and I have a duty to the truth as well as to my post. Princess Luna claims our lost Princess will return to us in a thousand years. But, if the rumoiurs of what truly happened that night are indeed true, I fear it will not be our Princess but a Nightmare that returns. I will leave this scroll in the hands of Honest Truth, the judge of this settlement, in the hope that he will keep it safe and one day discover the truth behind it. Captain Swift Spear Head of the Solar Guard First year of the Solar Stewardship May Celestia have mercy upon us all. “Spike…” said Twilight, looking up from the scroll with fearful eyes. “What’s going to happen at sunset?”