//------------------------------// // 128 - Trials // Story: Re:Harmony // by starcross7 //------------------------------// The last vision Twilight Sparkle had seen of her ancestor was just as heart-wrenching, if not more so than the others. Twilight Prime made her landing a spectacle. Her arrival devastated the castle Sunny had planned to build, the very same castle Twilight had been taken into after Applejack was captured and sent off to Rock Prison. The blizzard was as violent as ever, and hundreds of Windigoes surrounded Prime on her divine beck and call. Sunny, or rather Princess Celestia, stood before and stared down upon her creator and her mother. No words were exchanged, not even through magical telepathy, but their emotions were clear as snow. The next move would decide the victor, and it was likely that the mad goddess Twilight Prime would easily become one. At corner of Prime's eyes, the image of a bipedal creature in clothing and pointed ears appeared. The goddess's scowl turned to a smile, but just as immediately it turned to a frown. By then, it was too late. Seven sword-like black crystals sprung from the ground and surrounded Twilight Prime. It created a magical electric-like field that threw the goddess into screaming pain, and the Windigoes, relentless as they were, made a futile attempt to free their mistress. As a result, the bringers of cold and starvation disintegrated, while Sunny vaporized the stragglers with one golden shot from her horn. Luna dropped the illusion and joined with Sunny as they stood ready to fight back should Prime defeat the trap. The mistress of the trap, Dazzleglow, grunted painfully from all the effort to maintain the massive magic flow going into the seven crystals. Soon, Twilight Prime's body glowed white hot, and her light enveloped the last vision. When the light died down, seven orbs gathered around where the goddess had once stood. Six were white and were adorned with jewel-like symbols. However, the seventh was black as the night, and a crimson jewel stood in its very center. As the vision died down, Luna and Sunny embraced one another as they congratulated their success. However, they had to gallop off to Dazzleglow, who collapsed on the snow in a severely weakened state... Then everypony found themselves in the great dining hall of the Dream Fortress, shocked and yet awed at what they had just seen, even if they were, as claimed by Princess Luna, an approximation based on Twilight Prime’s recollection of her painful past. “You tricked her,” said Twilight. “Given the threat we faced, we had no other choice,” said Sunny. “Using Luna’s memory of Trista, we used an illusion spell to distract her long enough for Dazzleglow to use her Crystaltech device to split Twilight Prime’s being into the Seven Elements.” “I came at a great cost,” said Luna. “Dazzleglow perished shortly after her return to the Crystal Empire.” “Luna and I were weakened as well. My sister voluntarily sealed herself on the moon in order to recover, while I used the remainder of my magic to start the purification process of the Six Elements while I scattered them across the land. The Seventh Element, unfortunately, I could not hide sufficiently. It has a powerful dark will of its own. I sealed it deep within the mountains where Gaeopolis now stand, but too often it lured many ponies with its power. The last time I drove ponies off, the government Gaea mounted a military assault and captured me. I was forced to seal my own alicorn powers before I was imprisoned within Tatarus 01. “I wish I had been around to prevent the breakdown between the three tribes who were on the verge of unification. The world could have been a different place if earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi were living in harmony.” “Please do not place all the blame on yourself, dear sister,” said Luna. “It is our mother’s dark legacy that allowed all this to happen.” “Wow,” said Rarity with wide eyes. “I’m speechless.” “It’s almost hard to believe,” said Twilight. “My ancestor is Twilight Prime, and even she had ancestors that lived on our world a long time ago.” “But the story we just heard makes her everypony’s ancestor,” said Applejack. “In a sense, she did use her base DNA to produce the myriad of variations that we see in ponies today,” said Luna. “Come again?” “Let’s just say she created fertile pony clones in the distant past,” said Sunny. “But my family has always claim lineage from Twilight Prime,” said Twilight. “It would not behoove your ancestors to make such a claim to validate their authority over others. Of course, she has been known to induce pregnancies on mares who were infatuated with her on a whim.” “And yet,” said Luna, “it is uncanny that you look so much like her original form, aside from the colors, of course.” “I don’t know if I should feel honored or frightened,” said Twilight. “Twilight Prime was a god, even to you, Sunny. She killed countless creatures in the past, and yet she made the decision to recreate life on our world. What happened to make her want to destroy her own creation?” “We know not what happened to her during her absence,” replied Sunny. “Perhaps due to the events that was occurring at that time almost a thousand years ago, she deemed our world as unworthy. What she saw in us during that time reminded her of the strife that occurred on a galactic scale eons ago. Regardless, her mind and will still lingers in the Seventh Element, and she plans to use it to destroy the world through your friend, Trixie. Given all this information, are you all prepared?” “Prepared as always, Princesses!” cried Dash. “Wait!” Twilight cried. “This is too much information to digest, and I need time.” “We don’t need time! We got two dictators ready to blow up the world in any moment and we need time?” “I know it is urgent, Dash, but all that we've seen…” “It’s not 100% accurate, Sugarcube,” said Applejack. “Luna said it herself that it is a big guess as to what those 'humanoids' looked like or what really happened.” “Perhaps thrusting you six into the trials is a little too hasty,” said Sunny, “especially after what we revealed to you.” “I’ll say,” said Rarity. “You’ve given poor Fluttershy a terrible fright.” “In that case, Luna and I will give you time for a brief rest in your bedchambers.” “Twilight Prime may not be around,” said Luna, “but her will still lingers in the physical realm. One way or another, she will try to fulfill her promise of undoing her own creation. Please do not be long.” The six decided to gather together in Twilight and Applejack’s suite to rest their minds at the revelations of the origin of their world. At the same time, the Nyx maintenance crew performed repair work on the main doors that was ruined by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie’s unauthorized tampering of the Lunar Chariot. The ponies, Twilight included, got used to their flowing leather-like appearance, but they did appear somewhat adorable with their hats and overalls. While Twilight would prefer to muse over her thoughts by herself, she welcomed the company of her friends who are still trying to gather themselves along with a helping of cookies and milk. Though Rainbow Dash hovered around with crumbs in her mouth and with Pinkie Pie bouncing around, the mood was somber, if not quiet. Parthenogenesis, or rather the induced pregnancies of her ancestors, was a very small feat for Twilight Prime, who singlehoofedly restored life to a dead world. The ancient ruins and artifacts she found throughout the world explained everything. The ancestors of ponies were, in a sense, the original inhabitants of this world, but they shared it with slender bipedal creatures who had destroyed it several times over. The two alicorn sisters did answer much about Twilight Prime and the lingering threat she left behind. Still, Twilight had more questions about the nature of the Element of Creation. Why did it have a different oath than the ones given to her friends? “What I’m getting is this,” began Rarity. “Our common ancestor is from space, but her ancestors came from this world?” “For a moment, I thought we were Space Ponies,” said Dash. “That would have been awesome.” “SPACE PONIES!” cried Pinkie Pie as she leapt high in the air. “And the Before Times was awesomer than I expected! Big space battles, fearsome orcs, giant robots…” “Have you not watched the vision?” asked Rarity. “The Before Times was a terrible place! It pretty much traumatized Fluttershy, and bless her heart, she did not turn away when she witnessed those gruesome images. Believe me, it was probably good that Twilight Prime put those filthy creatures in their place.” “Many of them were innocent,” said Fluttershy. “Well, uh, I suppose Prime must have went overboard on her judgment.” “What gives her the right? She destroyed worlds simply because they exist.” “Havin’ eatin’ the Element of Creation in its original form, who’s there to question her?” asked Applejack. “Regardless of who she is, we wouldn’t be here if not for her.” “But now she wants to destroy our world because we were all mean to each other.” “Buck up, ‘Shy. We got the Five Elements now, and the Sixth is comin’ our way. That’s Six against the one Trixie has, and these Elements of Creation were not TP’s to begin with. We’ll put a stop to the war and stop Trixie before she even acts. Right, Twi?” “Am I really descended from a monster like her?” Twilight asked. “What are you implyin’?” “Twilight, you’re not a monster,” said Fluttershy. “But she can get pretty scary,” said Dash. “Like that one time I kissed her.” “Cut it out, Dash,” grumbled Applejack. “Anypony can look scary if they are mad,” said Rarity. “Twilight, you’re nothing like that mad devil Princess Celestia and Princess Luna described. Besides, your ancestors probably used the ‘Twilight’ title to scare other ponies away.” “Like it or not, we all are TP’s children.” “Albeit prodigal, if you may.” “Don’t worry, Twilight Purplesmart,” said Dash. “At least you’re not the ‘Twilight’ who’s gonna destroy the world.” “But that ‘Twilight’ has taken control of my best friend!” Twilight stammered. The outburst silenced everypony, and all eyes froze upon her. “Sorry girls,” said Twilight. “It was just so much to take in.” “You’re not alone in that,” said Applejack. “I can agree,” waved Dash. “Those visions were… How would I put it?” “Intense?” Pinkie suggested. “That’s the word! Thanks, Pinks!” “Truth be told,” started Twilight, “I am a little scared, and I know all of you are considering the challenges up ahead. So far, the Elements we possess hasn’t turned on us, and the Sixth might be the same way. However, I’m not sure how we’ll be able to save Trixie. Maybe the Seventh Element have taken over her mind already.” “Sugarcube, you know that’s not what we need to focus right now,” said Applejack. “I’m sure we’ll find a way to free Trixie.” “Who is this Trixie pony?” asked Rarity. “Trixie?” said Pinkie Pie. “She is actually Twilight’s best friend, who she grew up with in Unicornia like a sister, but she betrayed her by working with Chancellor Posey in a shady deal, and now she wears the Alicorn Amulet that makes her all crazy and greatly powerful.” “She’s the one who fired at your Crystal Empire after we defeated Blueblood for the first time,” added Applejack “I can sympathize,” said Rarity. “Your childhood friend eventually turns out to be your greatest enemy, except one of them wants to destroy the world instead of staging a coup d’état. Still, I hope that my beloved buffoon of a Duke will come around, and perhaps this Trixie character will do too. Twilight Sparkle, you have my support in saving your dear friend.” “And if she still needs a beatdown, lemme know!” added Dash. “Even if she is mean pony, she’s still Twilight’s friend,” said Fluttershy. “I think Trixie’s Seventh Element will allow her to take one or two hits.” “See, Twi?” said Applejack. “We all got your back, and I’m sure that once you get your Element, you’ll be able to turn Trixie back to normal.” “Thanks, everypony,” said Twilight. “I was a little hesitant considering our true origins of this world and the kind of enemy we have to face. All right girls, let’s do this!” Her friends let out a cheer before dashing out to summon a new Lunar Chariot. The five current Element Bearers with their golden necklaces, now polished and cleaned, climbed on board with Twilight taking the last seat. They took the path back to towards the rotunda from which the six had arrived at the moon less than a day ago. Twilight counted herself as nervous at the prospect of obtaining of the Sixth Element, and yet she felt energetically confident that her friends would be with her in doing so. The large entrance rotunda was now bright than ever, and unlike the rest of the Dream Fortress, it appeared sunnier and more colorful. The frescos now stood out, and marble columns appeared whiter. Sunny and Princess Luna stood in middle as they have stated to Twilight and her friends, and they were joined by a formation of Nyx in white lab coats. The Lunar Chariot smoothly halted before the two Heralds, and right as its passengers stepped off, their transportation disintegrated into points of light. “Have you fully utilized your brief rest?” asked Sunny. “You bet we did!” Dash cried. "So, how do we unlock the true power of our current Elements?" asked Twilight. "And how do I obtain mine?" "It's going to be a big bad we gotta fight?" asked Pinkie. "Do we fight the Nyx in a no holds barred royal rumble?" asked Dash. "Or do we fight you Sunny? I hope we get to fight Luna too." “I am certain fighting me will result in a draw, Rainbow Dash,” Sunny smiled half-cockily. “However, Luna and I will not be your opponents.” Sunny nodded to Luna, who then nodded back. The Herald of the Moon’s horn glowed briefly. Suddenly, the entire rotunda floor vanished beneath them. Everyone was freefalling, but not on the rate normal to that on earth. Rather, they were floating to a dark abyss below, and all Twilight could see a small point of light. They must be heading down to Tartarus 06, and the hints could not be any more obvious when the unicorn saw the “0” and the “6” pass by her during her descent. “This is safe, right?” asked Fluttershy. “I have turned off gravity controls in this area,” replied Luna, “and we will pass through a cushioning spell before we hit the bottom of Tartarus 06. That is where you six will undergo the Final Trials of the Sixth Element where you will need to defeat the Guardians’ challenges of its respective Element.” "When we split Twilight Prime’s being," said Sunny, "the sixth and most powerful Element could not be purified by any magic whatsoever. It has produced five Guardians that killed anypony who attempted to tamper with it.” “We believe that each of these Guardians are an aspect of Prime’s personality. I would not be surprised if a tiny portion of her still lingered in your Elements.” “Even now, that demon still dwells in our necklaces?” asked Rarity. “Do not be alarmed," said Sunny. "It is because you conquered the initial trial that you are now able wield a portion of its power. Unlocking the Sixth Element will also unlock the true potential of the existing five.” “Do you know what the Sixth Element does?” asked Twilight. “Luna and I are not certain, but we could only assume it is extremely powerful since it produced the five Guardians to defend it.” “These Guardians,” said Applejack. “Y’all have them sealed up with the last Element?” “As long as we do not tamper with it, they have not attacked us. For almost a thousand years, they have waited for the five Bearers to administer their Final Trials.” “We have arrived,” said Luna. It was sooner than expected. They thought it was long drop, but it turned out that the black crystal-like walls absorbed most of the light. Everyone landed softly and safely. The Nyx immediately scurried out of formation towards the sides where several makeshift trailers had been set up complete with computer equipment and a kitchenette. These trailers were dwarfed by the immense size of the subterranean rotunda in which five massive doors stood equidistant from one another at on the edges. These doors appeared to be made of what appeared to be either marble or platinum, and each of them had the abstract symbols of the Elements of Creation carved in their centers. The floors, though made of white marble, illuminated itself. The walls and ceiling however were lined with jagged black ice crystals. “Behind each door are the Sixth Element’s Guardians,” said Sunny. “The Guardian of Treachery, the Guardian of Avarice, The Guardian of Hatred, The Guardian of Fear, and The Guardian of Deceit. These Trials can be done in any order. In addition, we have provided a rest area should you need it.” “The Nyx and I will try to monitor your situation as best we can,” said Luna. “However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to rescue you once the Trials begin.” “We know not how exactly these Trials will be administered, as they are up to the discretion of the Guardians. They are powerful, perhaps much more powerful than Luna and me, but at the very least they were created to strictly obey their programming.” “It does makes me wonder why TP would go through the trouble of creating these Guardians if she does not want us to have the Elements in the first place,” said Applejack. “If she was conscious of doin’ so in the first place.” “That remains a mystery, even to me,” said Sunny, “but I have faith that your six will be able to use her power for good.” “Well, it hasn’t corrupted me so far.” “Me neither,” added Rarity. “So, Twi, who do you think should go first?” “You’re asking me?” asked Twilight. “I sort of figured that we should talk it over between ourselves.” “I wanna go first!” Dash cried. “Let’s go through that door with that huge lightning over there!”