Everypony present in the War Chamber aside from Dune Star, including Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, had absolutely no idea just who this ‘Anima’ was. Dune Star’s tone certainly implied a great threat and a great evil, but everypony needed more to go on.
“Excuse me Dune Star darling, but just who is this ‘Anima’ you speak of? You called him the God of Chaos, but I for one at least have never heard anything about him.” Rarity asked Dune Star, confused as to why Dune Star sighed and became visibly more upset at Rarity’s question.
“There’s a very good reason for that Rarity. Anima is the one being omitted from all of Equestria’s history. There are currently only seven ponies alive that remember anything about him at all, and only one pony that should even still be alive at this point in time. I am the only one that should have information of him if he were truly gone.” Dune Star replied, certain he was raising more questions than he was answering.
“What do ya mean omitted from Equestria’s history? How can ya just omit somepony who sounds this terrible?” Applejack spoke up, confused as to just how what Dune Star had explained could have ever happened.
“You can thank my mentor for that. Star Swirl the Bearded is the single greatest time magic sorcerer pony of all time. For all but me and the six others who share my life, he removed Anima’s existence from time itself. He cannot be written about or spoken about unless it is by one of the Timeless Seven.” Dune Star answered Applejack, hoping he was explaining everything as well as he could.
“Who are these Timeless Seven? I’ve never heard of them either. You said you are one of them, but who are the other six?” Twilight questioned Dune Star, absorbing all the knowledge she could so as to help everypony as best she could.
“The Timeless Seven are seven of the most well-known and forgotten ponies. I am the first. The other six are Commander Hurricane, Private Pansy, Smart Cookie, Chancellor Puddinghead, Princess Platinum and Clover the Clever. I trust I need not explain to everypony who they are.” Dune Star explained, unsurprised to see the shock on everypony’s faces.
Princess Cadance was the next one to speak up among all the ponies present in the War Chamber.
“B-But…they’re all dead. Aren’t they?” Cadance asked Dune Star, further shocked to see him shake his head at her.
“History would have you think so. But they do indeed still live. They currently inhabit the Desert of Fate alongside myself. Star Swirl the Bearded foresaw that they would be needed when Anima chose to return, and he placed them within a slowed state of sleep. They have only recently awoken due to the first signs of Anima’s return.” Dune Star spoke aloud, at last beginning to warrant responses out of everypony.
“I do not believe it. I choose not to. I refuse to believe that there are ponies still alive from the founding of Equestria who could outrank me and my Aunts in terms of rightful rulers.” Prince Blueblood spoke up for the first time, shocking everypony with just what he had chosen to focus on from Dune Star’s latest bit of information.
Dune Star walked around the table to face Prince Blueblood directly. Once in front of Blueblood, Dune Star closed his eyes for a moment and let loose a powerful spell. Blueblood instantly passed out afterwards and slipped into a long and quiet sleep in front of everypony.
“Funny how the blood dilutes eh Celestia?” Dune Star chuckled as he returned to his former position within the War Chamber.
“What did you do to him? Is he gonna be okay? Not that I really care though.” Shining Armor asked, clearly as pleased as everypony else that Blueblood could no longer rudely and terribly interrupt them today.
“I simply awakened the royal blood within him properly. He is currently in the process of reliving all his ancestors and relatives have. When he next awakens, he will be a proper pony of royal blood.” Dune Star explained, preparing himself to answer the next and sure to be on proper topic questions.
“To return to the urgent matter at hand. Can you continue the tale of Anima Master Dune Star?” Luna spoke up, encouraging all the other ponies focus to fully return to Dune Star again.
“Certainly Luna. Though it is better if I begin before he truly came to be. I will tell you all the tale of the First and Second Equestrian Ages. Do pay close attention and try not to interrupt too often. There will be no test or penalties, but it is better if I do not have to repeat myself when time is of the utmost essence here.” Dune Star replied, looking around the room to check everypony’s focus before diving into his tale.
***
“The First Equestrian age refers to a short stint of time shortly after the founding of Equestria. It began with the vast migration of the other members of the Earth Pony, Pegasus, and Unicorn tribes. The Six Leaders had gone to Equestria first as you all well know, but they also had to return in order to inform their tribes of the alliance and the new home they could inhabit together. Each tribe was not all too keen to join with the others even with their respective Leaders insists. They had not experienced what the Six had, and thus could not fully trust each other yet. It was then that the Unicorn King, Titanium Horn, came up with a suggestion.” Dune Star began, hoping he could encourage questions at the points that would help spurn his tale forward.
“You mean the father of Princess Platinum?” Rarity spoke up unsurprisingly. She had been the one who had represented Princess Platinum herself in the Hearth’s Warming Eve Pageant.
“Yes, the very same. Titanium Horn was a student of Star Swirl the Bearded as well. He knew that if anypony was the one to come up with a solution to their leader problem, it would be him. Titanium Horn also passed on the full rights of the Unicorn Throne to Princess Platinum after this suggestion before disappearing for the rest of his life. Many believe he disguised himself and lived a new few years with Princess Platinum’s unknown mother, who had always been suspected as being a commoner unicorn. In any case, it was agreed the Star Swirl the Bearded could help to select a leader.” Dune Star continued, hoping it would be Twilight who next questioned him.
“Why would everypony agree to let him decide though? I understand that he was a great sorcerer, but how could Star Swirl the Bearded have held such great influence?” Twilight asked Dune Star, surprised to find out just how much more Star Swirl the Bearded had been respected back in Equestria’s youth.
“Simple. Star Swirl the Bearded was the single oldest pony in Equestria at the time, near 607 years old even back then. He had witnessed various different tribes rules and seen various styles of leadership in his time. Star Swirl the Bearded could therefore select who would be best to rule over all the ponies from the current 3 leaders of the tribes. Most surprisingly though, once the Six Leaders consulted him, Star Swirl the Bearded stated that none of the current 3 leaders of their advisors was a proper ruler to rule over all 3 of the tribes.” Dune Star explained, feeling strange in regaling this tale to so many.
“Why in the hay would he say somethin like that? The Six Leaders had ruled well over their own tribes hadn’t they?” Applejack voiced her question, wondering why even a pony as why as Star Swirl the Bearded would say such a thing.
“You struck the issue yourself Applejack. Yes the Six leaders had led their respective tribes well. But none of them were well accustomed enough to the troubles and hopes of the other tribes to properly lead over all of them with a just rule. Star Swirl the Bearded knew this. That is why he came up with the alternative options of leadership for Equestria.” Dune Star paused, wanting to explain only when asked at this point.
“W-What were these three ideas? I-If you don’t mind saying…” Fluttershy whispered, still managing to be heard by Dune Star though.
“Not at all. Star Swirl the Bearded had three ideas in base concept for the ruling of Equestria. The first was to inspire Harmony amongst the citizens who had not been part of the first Hearth’s Warming Eve. To achieve this, Star Swirl the Bearded forged the Elements of Harmony as they once were before from the deepest sands of the Desert of Fate. He then bequeathed them to the Six Leaders respectively. Chancellor Puddinghead was Laughter, Clover the Clever was Magic, Princess Platinum was Generosity, Smart Cookie was Honesty, Private Pansy was Kindness, and Commander Hurricane was Loyalty. Another reason you six were especially chosen to represent them respectively.” Dune Star explained the first idea, content he could simply continue on.
“The Elements of Harmony were first used on the masses of Equestria, and peace between the tribes to an extent sprouted. Equestria was still in need of a sturdy leader for the tribes, but the tribes themselves were no longer ignorant or hateful of the others as they had once been. This allowed Star Swirl the Bearded to suggest his second idea for leadership. A pony born of all three tribes would best exude the qualities needed in a proper leader for Equestria. How to do such a concept though? Star Swirl the Bearded first attempted to create this pony born of all three tribes in the same manner as he created the Elements of Harmony. He forged the basic shape of the pony from the sands of the Desert of Fate, and then had the Six Leaders fill it with life energy from the Elements of Harmony. That is how I came to be.” Dune Star paused, certain that last comment would inspire a question or two.
“You? You’re the very first Alicorn? Oh my Celestia!” Pinkie nearly shouted as she realized just what Dune Star had said.
“Indeed. I was intended to rule over Equestria. That was not what fate decided my destiny to be though. My destiny lies in defending the flow of time within Equestria. I have the ability to inspire leadership and harmony in others due to the power of the Elements within me, but I do not possess these qualities myself. This left the Six Leaders and Star Swirl the Bearded baffled as to what to do next. I was born a pony that could unite the land, but I would not be able to. Star Swirl the Bearded next suggested that he combine the leadership aspects of each of the tribes leaders and advisors into two separate ponies and attempt to create proper leaders that way. Celestia was born from Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane, and Chancellor Puddinghead. Luna was born from Clover the Clever, Private Pansy, and Smart Cookie. Their base colors and magic are based on their unicorn mothers. Their height and flying abilities are based on their Pegasi mothers. And their intellect and age comes from their earth pony mothers. The powers of the Sun and Moon were instilled into them thanks to a special spell from Star Swirl the Bearded combined with the unifying power of the Elements. Unfortunately, even after all that, there still emerged a problem.” Dune Star explained, letting the large amount of history he had just revealed sink into everypony, especially Luna and Celestia.
“What was the problem?” Cadance spoke up, wondering why she had never had any problems despite she too was born an Alicorn.
“While I was shaped into near the same age I am now, Celestia and Luna did not have conduit forms as I did. Once the powers of the Sun and Moon settled in them, they were transformed into newborn foals. Again, there was the possibility of a leader without the chance. Celestia and Luna were destined to rule. Star Swirl the Bearded knew this much. But they must wait to take the throne it seems. In the meantime, until Celestia and Luna would be ready, Star Swirl the Bearded concocted his third and final idea for a leader of Equestria. A conduit was needed to make a leader of the proper age, as well as a will to rule. It was decided that a new creature should rule Equestria until the time for Celestia and Luna to rule would come. Star Swirl the Bearded decided to create a Draconequus and a Paramioe.” Dune Star paused yet again, hoping the term he had used would resonate somewhere amongst all the ponies present.
“Wait a minute….Discord said he was a Draconequus. I remember learning that in school way back when.” Shining Armor spoke up, disbelief clear on his features as all faces returned to Dune Star.
“You are not wrong. Discord is the Draconequus I speak of now. He was not always Discord, God of Mischief though. When he was created long ago, his name was Discan. He was a God of Mediation, going to all problems he heard of and taking it upon himself to dispel all chaos around him. Discan was given the head of a pony and the body of common creatures to rule over the realm of ponies and the common animals. As you all know though, Equestria is not merely inhabited by creatures of common birth.” Dune Star answered, hoping he could nudge the others into speaking up.
“Yeah. There’s all kinds a crazy magic things here. What did Star Swirl suggest for them?” Applejack asked Dune Star, now as entranced as the others in this tale.
“To rule over the magical creatures, another being was created. The opposite of Discan, composed entirely of magical creatures. The creature is what is known as a Paramioe. The Paramioe was named Famira and he was a God of Freedom, freeing all creatures in his magical rule from anger and such other feelings by taking them into and upon himself. Famira had the body and face of a dragon, the eyes of a Cockatrice which could be shielded from view with his additional snake eyelids, as well as two dragon claws. He also had a Manticores Claw, a Timber Wolf’s Claw, a Hydra’s Claw, and a Quaray Eel’s Claw though. He also possessed a Sea Serpents tail with a Windigo hoof and a Griffon Claw for feet. Famira possessed the wings of a Parasprite, sized properly for him, and a second set of wings what were those of a Phoenix. Famira also had the horns of a Golden Deer sprouted off of a set of Minotaur’s horns. While Famira’s appearance may sound gruesome to you, he was beloved by all of his subjects greatly.” Dune Star finished his description of Famira, almost shedding a tear as he remembered his friend.
“When does this ‘Anima’ you mentioned show up? Is he an enemy of Equestria that came to usurp Discan and Famira’s rule?” Celestia asked Dune Star, wondering why Dune Star was revealing so much history before telling them of them enemy.
“Anima has already appeared in my regale of Equestria’s history. Anima is what Famira became after years of his rule.” Dune Star stated blatantly, hating every word he said.
Everypony within the War Chamber was silent with shock for quite a long period of time. Eventually, it was Twilight who would speak up and ask the inevitable questions.
“How? And why?” Twilight asked Dune Star, not believing that a creature created by Star Swirl the Bearded for peace in Equestria could also be called its greatest enemy.
“Famira’s style of problem management within his ruled area was not the greatest of choices. Years of small minute problems relating to one particular aspect or another began to pile upon each other within Famira. The aspects of Anger, Greed, Hatred, Jealousy, Lies, and Betrayal were strongest. These aspects eventually compounded within Famira’s soul, emerging as something eventually christened the Elements of Chaos. These Elements of Chaos leaked through Famira’s soul, transforming him into the creature most feared in all of history. This was when the First Equestrian Age ended.” Dune Star stumbled over his words as the images of those days began to overtake his eyes and he found himself lost in his terrible memories.
***
Famira sat on his throne within the confines of the Jungle of Magic located near the edge of Equestria. Famira hated sitting around like this when such strong emotions bubbled within him. A short few days ago, Famira would have sat on the throne night and day to please all of his subjects. But Famira would no longer subjugate himself to the daily tortures his subjects put him through.
Famira stood from his throne just as one of his advisors, the Griffon known as Silver Claws, came around to have a few words with him about his weekly schedule.
“Lord Famira? May I ask where you are going?” Silver Claws spoke up, wondering why the Lord of Freedom was acting so strange today.
“You may not. Do not follow me if you value your life.” Famira called to Silver Claws as he took to the air with his wings and went towards the nearest source of new Chaos.
**
Within the hour, Famira landed outside the city of Roam, a place commonly called the second capital of Equestria. Famira looked about the city walls as the Elements of Chaos pulsated from their hidden position between his spines. Soon enough a pony came over to the edge of the nearby Guard Tower to call to Famira.
“Greetings Lord Famira. May I inquire as to what brings you here today? I am Strong Shield by the way.” The pony who was called Strong Shield asked Famira as the God of Freedom moved forward towards the gate to Roam.
“Open the gate.” Famira called out his order to the pony he did not care was named Strong Shield.
“I cannot do that without a reason for your visit. Even you are no exception Lord Famira.” Strong Shield called back, worried at what he thought he must have mistaken as malice behind Famira’s words.
Famira flew up the Guard Tower with speed that greatly surprised and worried Strong Shield. Famira was not known for being aggressive at all, let alone being as intimidating as he was now.
“I will say it once more. If you value your life or the lives of any special ponies or creatures within these walls, you will heed my order. Open. The. Gate. NOW.” Famira hissed at Strong Shield, towering over the already extremely large pony and openly flashing the red Cockatrice eyes he usually kept hidden.
“I-I’m sorry Lord Famira. I cannot do that.” Strong Shield whimpered back at Famira and quickly gulped as Famira smiled malevolantly back at him.
“You shouldn’t have said that at all.” Famira spit at Strong Shield, fully releasing his Cockatrice eyes on the pony.
Within seconds, Strong Shield was frozen in place as a stone statue, a look of absolute terror upon his face. Famira felt his body grow a ways, glad that embracing his Chaos would allow him to grow more powerful than he was already proving himself to be.
Famira returned to the bottom of the gate and set about letting the Windigo powers within him flow forth. Within a few short minutes, the entire gate was frozen solid. Famira released his Windigo influence and let his Hydra poison coat his claws as he set about tearing the gate apart to reach the city he could greatly create Chaos in.
**
“Who did all this?” Discan asked Strong Shield as he used his powers to separate the stone magic from the pony before him.
“L-L-Lord F-Famira. I-I-I tried to stop him. B-But I couldn’t. H-H-H w-wasn’t the lord Famira w-we’re supposed to know at all.” Strong Shield slowly explained, still shocked at what had transpired mere hours ago.
Discan looked up from Strong Shield to survey what was once the city of Roam. The city was demolished beyond any possible repair. Many ponies were frozen solid or turned to stone like Strong Shield had been. A lot more were being treated for sever bite, claw, and poison wounds. A few had already left Equestria permanently. Discan mentally kicked himself for not acting upon his gut feeling to visit Famira personally earlier in the day. By the time he had gone to meet him, only a disheveled and confused Silver Claws was there to greet him and direct Discan in the general direction Famira had went.
By the time Discan had caught sight of Roam, it was already far too late. The city had already been destroyed and Famira was long gone from its confines, no clues to his current whereabouts anywhere.
Star Swirl the Bearded and Dune Star approached Discan, both clearly tired from the long journey and the extent of the working they were doing to save any residents of Roam that they could.
“Do not blame yourself for this Discan. You may rule over the ponies, but there is no way to know that this might’ve happened today. Even I had no idea with my future glimpsing.” Star Swirl the Bearded told Discan, the wisdom of his words echoing strongly in Discan’s mind.
“I will find him. I will stop him. This cannot stand. I may not have been able to save Roam, but I can try to save the rest of Equestria from Famira.” Discan replied, looking towards the sky and hoping that some sort of exterior God might guide him.
“Please don’t Discan. You don’t know what he could do to you. If Famira can cause this much destruction on his own, then you have no chance of defeating him.” Dune Star quickly told his friend, hoping to calm him down slightly.
“How can I simply ignore this? This is my realm until Celestia and Luna are ready. I have to protect it. I don’t care if Famira’s always been stronger than me. I’ll find a way.” Discan bit back, his malice directed at Famira and not his friend and mentor.
“He has grown even stronger though Discan. And your power has weakened due to your feelings over Roam. You are the strongest of us all at the moment, and even you do not stand a chance against Famira as he is now. We must hide and wait. Celestia and Luna together with the Elements of Harmony can defeat him as long as he does not gain more power. I have already accelerated Luna and Celestia’s growth rate and stopped the Bearers own aging until another set can come. I can try to accelerate their growth a bit more and they can be ready within a year’s time.” Star Swirl told Discan, hoping to appeal to the reason he knew Discan had within him.
“A year?! You want me to wait a whole year to go after Famira?! Can you imagine what he could do in that time? He did all this to Roam in under a day! Equestria won’t last a month let alone a year if Famira’s left to his own devices! We can’t hide every pony and creature in Equestria from him for a year. He needs to be stopped now. And I will be the one to do it.” Discan yelled as he took to the air, solidifying now his need to find and defeat Famira.
“Discan! Wait! Don’t do it!” Dune Star shouted hopelessly after his friend, knowing it was futile as Discan was already gone on his pointless quest.
Star Swirl the Bearded put his hoof on Dune Star’s shoulder a moment later. Dune Star turned to look at his master to see grim determination on his face.
“Discan cannot be saved now. But perhaps now we can save a few others while he battles Famira. I would prefer if he was here to help, but we must still do what we can. Fly over Equestria and alert all the cities and towns that you can. Tell all the inhabitants to teleport to as hidden a place as they can with the help of any and all able unicorns. Help those that cannot otherwise. Tell all the Pegasi to carry as many ponies to as safe of places as they know, and then to either hide themselves or stay perpetually on the move. The same message to the earth ponies.” Star Swirl the Bearded explained his plan to his assistant, glad to see Dune Star nod and take flight a few moments later.
Star Swirl the Bearded looked towards the sky and uttered a prayer he hoped would soon become true.
“May Celestia save us all.” Star Swirl the Bearded whispered as he set about his own duties for protecting Equestria.
**
Famira walked through the edge of the Whisperwind Woods towards his next goal, the city of Las Pegasus. As Famira came to the edge of the Woods though, he sensed a quickly approaching being. One he was quite well acquainted with.
“I was wondering when you would find out about Roam and seek me out. You always were easy to predict Discan.” Famira called out to the being he knew now was directly behind him.
Discan stepped out from the shadows of the trees to confront Famira and demand an answer for his actions. As Discan looked at Famira though, he realized that his friend was no longer with him.
“Where is Famira? What have you done with him?” Discan demanded of the being once called Famira, encouraging a smile from the wicked God.
“What madness do you speak about Discan? I am Famira as I have always been before now.” Famira answered Discan, his smile growing ever larger as he did so.
“No. You are not Famira anymore. Famira is not a being of Chaos. Famira was a close friend and a benevolent ruler of Equestria. You are most certainly no longer worthy of being called Famira.” Discan replied to Famira, shocked as Famira began to laugh at his statement.
Famira’s wicked laughter echoed across the land, filling everypony who heard it with dread and fear. After a few more moments of laughter, Famira quieted to answer Discan’s statement properly.
“Perhaps you are right Discan. I no longer feel like Famira at least. That much is certainly true. Perhaps it is time I rechristened myself with a proper title. From now on, all will call be Anima, the God of Chaos and Tyrant of Equestria!” Anima told Discan, laughing his wicked chuckle again as he finished.
Discan tensed himself for what he knew must now come. Famira’s….no. Anima’s confirmation that he was no longer the friend Discan had once ruled with was enough to solidify his resolve for battle this day.
“If that is indeed the case, then I have no qualms about stopping you right here and now Anima. You will not rule Equestria whilst I remain here.” Discan challenged Anima, hearing the wicked laughter that frightened him stop abruptly at his words.
“I always knew that Discan. That is why I intend to remove you from Equestria much as I removed Famira!” Anima shouted as he charged at Discan, the Elements of Chaos pulsating greatly as Anima prepared to destroy the one who was both his friend and his brother.
**
Discan fought bravely against Anima for 11 days and 12 nights consecutively. Discan knew he must fight as long as he was able, granting his other friends the chance to try to defend some of Equestria from any future attacks by Anima. On the dawn of the 12th day of their battle though, Discan collapsed for a moment, worn beyond endurance from his long and difficult struggle.
Anima took advantage of this short chance to envelop Discan in the influence of the Elements of Chaos. Discan would not yield to their power easily, but Anima knew that time both created and healed all wounds. Anima sealed Discan within stone with the eyes of a Cockatrice and left the portion of the Elements of Chaos’ power to warp him into a being that would once again stand by him in his rule.
“Farewell old friend. When I next see you, you shall be Discord, God of Mischief. I am not foolish enough to give you power to equal or surpass mine. Do not attempt to fight me with your new powers when you awaken. If you do so, next time you will not remain in any form after facing my wrath.” Anima spoke to the statue of Discan, knowing full well that Discan could hear every word he spoke.
Anima turned towards Las Pegasus again and decided to take to the air to let true Chaos envelop him. Destroying Discan had granted Anima a power such as he never experienced before, even in destroying Roam. When Anima returned to the ground again, he towered above even the largest of all Dragons and Hydra’s. Anima again set his pace towards Las Pegasus, marking it as the first of the remaining cities he must crush to rule properly.
***
“And that was the beginning of Anima’s Reign of Chaos. Anima had crushed all of Equestria within six months of the defeat and imprisonment of Discan. Thanks to Discan’s brave sacrifice in battle, many ponies and creatures had been able to hide and save themselves from Anima’s terrible destruction.” Dune Star slowly spoke, wishing he had no reason to remember any of this at all.
Everypony within the War Chambers remained silent, even Prince Blueblood, who had just recently awakened from Dune Star’s spell. Dune Star saw fit to continue his tale upon hearing the silence.
“Anima’s influence spread throughout Equestria, transforming the once beautiful land into a land stained in blood and war. The Elements of Chaos spread amongst all the creatures and caused many inner conflicts. Anima fed on the Chaos he created and grew ever larger and more powerful as the years of the Second Equestrian passed. The Age of Anima was a terrible one indeed.” Dune Star explained, seeing all the images of those years flash before his eyes as he did.
“Star Swirl the Bearded had tried his best to further age Celestia and Luna for battle, but had been unable to do so due to his dwindling health, magic, and life. I stepped up to his position in order to keep up Luna and Celestia’s accelerated aging and to prevent the Six Leaders from aging. I was not yet fully ready though, only being able to hold the spells in place and do no more than that.” Dune Star hurriedly said, hoping that everypony would not hate him for his lack of involvement.
Everypony still remained silent though, not wanting to make Dune Star linger any longer on this horrible tale than he absolutely had to so as to inform them all.
“It was then that the Six Leaders formed an idea all their own. Star Swirl the Bearded had theorized that an Alicorn could better wield the Elements of Harmony better than any one particular other kind of pony. The Six leaders also knew that the Elements of Harmony possessed the power to create Alicorns. Each of the Six Leaders bombarded themselves with the powers of the Elements of Harmony and became Alicorns themselves.” Dune Star voiced his memories to the group at large.
Cadance spoke up next from the group, clearly baffled by the true origins of the species she personally belonged to.
“The Elements of Harmony can create an Alicorn out of an already existing pony? I know that you and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were shaped from existing ponies memories and infused with the power of the Elements, but I had no idea they could reproduce that effect on other ponies.” Cadance asked Dune Star, hoping that her question was an appropriate one.
“It is rare indeed, but it can happen. It took a year and a half for each of the Six Leaders to fully become Alicorns, meaning a total of nine years to transform six ponies. Their links to the Elements are mostly likely what helped attribute to their accelerated transformations. It would take far longer for an un-linked pony to become an Alicorn. The Alicorn Gene can also be passed down through inheritance, which is how you came to be an Alicorn Cadance.” Dune Star explained, his years of research paying off greatly at the moment.
Celestia was the one who next asked a question, as curious as worried to how the Second Equestria Age proceeded forward from the Six Leader’s idea.
“What occurred next? I’m afraid that neither I nor Luna possess memories of any of this, despite the fact that you say we were there.” Celestia questioned Dune Star, hoping that the end of his tale was near for his sake.
“Once the last of the Six Leaders was transformed into an Alicorn and they had become accustomed to their new abilities, the Six Leaders took to the Battlegrounds against Anima himself. My master Star Swirl the Bearded attempted to stop them, but age had slowed him greatly. He requested that I take him to their location as quickly as I could. It was 6 days and 6 nights before we were able to reach the area that was once the First Canterlot. By then, each of the Six Leaders were as tired as we were from their battles. Anima had grown even stronger than when he defeated the rest of Equestria, and towered beyond all imagining of giants now. Anima was mildly hurt due to the newfound power of the Six Leaders, but not enough to warrant defeat.” Dune Star began, pausing to allow the knowledge to sink in with the other ponies present.
“What did you do then to defeat him? Y-You did defeat Anima right?” Rainbow Dash chided in, hoping she wasn’t causing any unnecessary pain by asking.
“In a way, yes. We did defeat Anima that day. But in a far larger way, we did not defeat him. My mentor, Star Swirl the Bearded unleashed the two spells I told you of earlier at this point in battle. Star Swirl the Bearded cast Anima out of the flow of time itself, hoping to strand him there for many a year. Then, once Anima was gone, Star Swirl the Bearded informed the Six Leaders of what they must do upon Anima’s return. My master sealed them in time, removing the Alicorn influence from them for a time and sealing it within them whilst they slept to further strengthen it. My master then bequeathed the last of his power and knowledge to me and passed away. I raised Celestia and Luna through the end of the Second Equestrian Age until the beginning of the Second Reign of Chaos. It was then that I released them from the Desert of Fate, removed their memories of before then, replaced them with better ones, and stayed within the Desert of Fate to fulfil my duties to Star Swirl the Bearded and the Six Leaders. I believe you all know the rest from there on.” Dune Star finished, as surprised as happy that he had finished his tale.
Everypony certainly did now the proper flow of history in Equestria from that point in time onwards. Celestia and Luna had wielded the Elements of Harmony themselves and stopped Discord’s Reign. They had then ruled Equestria together in peace until the Nightmare Moon incidents. Afterwards, all was very well known by near every single pony present in the room.
Luna was the first to speak up from the gathered group this time, having felt firsthand the destructive urge within a being of evil and wanting to do her absolute best to prevent another being from carrying out those urges.
“What do we do now then to prepare ourselves for the upcoming battle?” Luna spoke aloud, wanting to do her best in stopping an enemy she had been born beside long ago.
***