//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Tree of Sorrow // Story: The Fall of the Tree // by Slean Stoneheart //------------------------------// The Princess goes out into the Everfree forest every cycle of the full moon to check up on the tree of harmony without her sister Celestia noticing her movements through out the night. Years have passed without any signs of the second tree sprouting, so Luna decided to check up on the tree less often until she was checking the tree once per year. After around 6,000 years of repeating the same task Luna was starting to wonder why was she given such a task and why is was so important that the opposite tree should sprout in the first place. "Sister!" Princess Celestia called out to Luna. "Yes, Celestia." Luna replied. "I know that you have been sneaking out of the castle for the past 50 odd years at the same time on the same day. I would like to know where have been going for these years." Celestia asked. "It is hard to explain sister." Luna announced "Okay then, no need for details just the basics" Celestia reinsured her sister hoping to enchounange her sister of telling her the story. "So you really want to know where I've been going every year. Well ... unfortunately I have been doing this for the past 6,000 years." Luna started to explain. "Keep going i am listening." Celestia spoke when Luna was gathering thoughts. All of this all started when StarSwirl approached me asking me to flow him. So i did without any heassations, we walked for a bit in silence until he said. "You know about my studies of the magic on the elements of harmony right?" "Yes." I replied. "Well until a couple of days ago my studies on the elements were going it usual pace (slow) until all of a sudden all of the elements starting to muck up on each other so I started walking around and found this ..." StarSwirl stopped and pointed at a strange tree in the middle of a group of the other trees. "What is it?" I asked "To be honest i have no idea but i also noticed that tree has 6 gems on it." StarSwirl said with a bit of a concerted tone in his voice. "How long has this tree been here?" I asked looking him straight into his eyes. "Not even 4 days and yet it is as tall as the rest of the trees around here ... wow that is odd" StarSwirl added last minute. "W-w-what is that?" i asked trying to hold my emotions and tears back. "What every magic is coming from that tree is countering one of the elements of harmony and that one is laughter ..." StarSwirl stopped to think for a bit. "So, w-what d-does t-that mean?" i asked sobbing and curled up in a ball on the ground. "Luna just by you standing near the tree you are filled with great depression so we need to get away from this tree as fast as possible." StarSwirl announced. StarSwirl picked me up with his magic and started to run back so that we are a safe distance from the tree. "Are you okay Luna you look like a mess?" StarSwirl asked with a concerned tone in his voice and trying to gain back his breath. "Y-yes I am okay for now." I said to bring up his hopes "What was that just happened" I asked still laying on the grass. "I have no clue however it had the opposite affects to the elements of harmony ... maybe until we both know what we have here let's call it the element of sorrow?" StarSwirl announced. I nodded my head in agreement. The very next day we went to the same location that the strange black tree that looked like it survived a fire was gone. "You see what I was telling you yesterday on the way here?"StarSwirl said in a panic. "Yes" I said in reply to his question. "Where is the tree?" We both said together. "Okay, Luna, I'd like to ask you something." StarSwirl asked. "Anything StarSwirl." I responded without know what he was going to ask me. "I would like you every full moon I would like you to come to this very location to see if the tree comes again." StarSwirl requested. "After feeling what ever that was yesterday I would gladly accept your offer." I stated to him. "Good." StarSwirl responded Around 10 cycles of the full moon have passed and no sight of that strange tree. On the 11th cycle of the full moon a bit after StarSwirl's dissaperence I checked the location and the tree of harmony that we know of today was there. The tree has not reappeared in years I'd stopped checking that very location as frequently as I use to. "And that is why you see me sneak out every year Celestia." "Can you please allow me a day at least you try to progress all what you have just told me?" Celestia asked Luna. "With pleasure , take as long as you need sister." Luna said like she was getting something off her chest. "Thanks Luna." Celestia responded A couple of days have passed and Princess Celestia has just approached her sister Luna. "Luna, I have been thinking about that story that you've told me days ago, at the moment I am having trouble believing such a story however I'm going have to believe you for now." Celestia explained. "Okay, at least you've header my reasoning." Luna responded with a sound of relief "However I do have just one question?" Celestia asked. "Sure anything ask away." Luna replied "Um, how do i put this ... If you have been doing this for 6,000 years so far how come you have never told me until today?" Celestia asked "Well after that day with me going into deep desperation we both promised each other not to tell anyone until we think that the tree of sorrow wouldn't again." Luna replied answering Celestia's question. "Okay." Celestia replied knowing a bit more information on the matter. When princess Celetia left the room princess Luna emotion and facial expression changed in an instant. *Oh Celestia I'm sorry you only know half of the story. Please elements of Harmony don't find a pony as your host in the next 4,000 years coming because if the elements do those 6 ponies are going to know about through the pain and torment of their opposite sides and if the elements fail these tests rest in peace if you can get peace in the after life* Luna said in her head and head off to her room.