Twilight couldn't comprehend what was happening, why was Dark blitz the pony that wanted her dead hugging her? Her mind was racing while Dark Blitz just held the fellow alicorn failing to notice her discomfort. Twilight then heard Discord yell,
“Oh get on with it, Seedy, you're confusing her! It's written right there all over her face.”
Blitz rolled her eyes and released Twilight before she could speak Twilight backed far away from her, the confusion plastered on her face. Blitz giggled knowing why she had backed away, a warm smile started to spread across her mouth as she started explaining herself,
“Twilight, you're right Dark Blitz was never my name. It is actually Harmony Seed. I’m the one who planted the Tree of Harmony many centuries ago. Similarly to how Discord is the Spirit of Disharmony and Chaos, I’m his opposite the spirit of Harmony and Order.”
Twilight’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open, she was baffled by this but quickly regained her composer, asking angrily;
“Well if that's true why did you want to kill me? Why did you send Equestria into chaos? Why would you ever try to kill the Tree of Harmony? A tree that you supposedly planted in the first place! What was the point of all this? If you’re just like Discord then why are you, his opposite causing chaos?! This just doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever.”
Harmony Seed looked at her with a blank face, as a smile slowly bloomed across her lips. After taking a moment to think, she closed her eyes and starts explaining
“To simply make sure my tree, neigh my soul made the right choice... In choosing the heir of Harmony, for you see Twilight I’m quite ancient just like a certain Draconequus. In fact, you could say we are siblings in a sense.”
Discord’s laughter began interrupting Harmony Seed and as he yelled,
“Yeah! Whatever you say sis! Haha”
Twilight ignored Discord and instead of looking at Harmony Seed her anger shifted into curiosity,
“I’m afraid I don't follow… What are you trying to say? I’m pretty much lost by no--”
Harmony Seed put her hoof up indicating that she needed the alicorn to settle down to explain further.
“Twilight please settle down and listen as I tell you a very important story.”
- - - - -
For you see when this world had just been created, it was younger than even when Luna and Celestia were born. There was a God and Goddess who governed the world. Now you may question this, but please understand that in those times logic was very peculiar. Discord and I reigned over Equestria, not to sound like I'm boasting, we were both very important to the land. Depending on what we chose to do with our magic, we could make life harder or easier for ponies. Ponies back then never took charge if their world instead they allowed godly beings to make those decisions. Twilight, those days by now are quite long and forgotten for all but us two. Our brothers and sisters no longer exist we two are the very last because this world can't function without us. Harmony and Chaos these two traits became our chains to this world.
When we were both much younger, we couldn't directly interfere with the ponies lives. We could make subtle changes by spreading our magic in ways most would mistake for natural occurrences. For instance, bringing rain to a town in drought among other things. However, Discord couldn't resist the temptation to personally interfere with their livelihood. With each chaotic plan, I had to push back with my own magic to keep balance. Soon we descended upon Equestria from our heavenly realm. In Discord’s eyes, this allowed ruling the land to become much easier. While for me it was to maintain the balance like we were supposed to… You may have seen some of his mischiefs in the oast, but compared to then he is much tamer… I have heard and seen so many horrible things that normal ponies couldn't even fathom…
- - - - -
Harmony Seed finished with tears welling up in her eyes with a very shaky voice to boot. Twilight could see Discord look away in surprisingly deep regret their jobs as Gods must have required great sacrifice. But her thoughts began to wander to something else, Why is she telling me all of this now? Discord's reaction proves that she is telling the truth at least. What is her plan? Twilight stopped with this train of thought as the other pony wiped her tears away then continued.
“Eventually, Celestia and Luna were born around the time my mental fortitude had reached its limits. I was so tired of fighting against Discord I fell into what you call a depression. I only yearned to die… And abandon this world like so many others had chosen to. But, I chose to do something that really makes you question my sense of sanity and order. I believed that one day I would try to destroy myself slowly from the inside out. I concocted a crazy borderline insane plan to create a small seed…”
Twilight’s eyes widened as she yelled out,
“The Tree of Harmony! It's the seed, isn't it? But what kind of plan was this? Planting a tree to keep the entire world in balance seems quite crazy.”
Harmony Seed nodded in agreement and continued on with her story:
“The seed I created grew into a magnificent crystalline tree nearly the moment I planted it, due to being constructed from my magic. Only this came at a terrible price I had to give this a base. I split my soul in half to give my tree an understanding of what harmony truly is. In other words, I am the Tree of Harmony and I nearly risked losing all of myself.”
Twilight was clearly stunned and blurred out,
“What that’s insane using your soul to make something is forbidden magic? And only half what were you thinking back then!?”
Harmony looked confused at the outburst but just smiled and pressed on,
“Please do remember I’m a goddess, magic like that is actually quite normal for us. I noticed that my tree only held five main branches. With six gemstones full of magic that would continue to grow stronger like fruits on an apple tree. Strangely enough, carved into its truck were a sun and moon symbols. Instead of my cutie mark in the center, there was a six-pointed star with the Element of pure magic imbued inside. At the time, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I had no clue retaining to what your cutie mark would foresee. I do now.”
The purple alicorn didn't understand what she meant or why the Tree of Harmony wanted her. Harmony Seed continues once again,
“My tree was showing me two ponies who would use the gems first only that wouldn't last. With the sun higher than the Moon one would outshine the other leading to only temporary balance. But, the pony who has the star cutie mark would become my heir to harmony. I couldn't just die like all the others, ponies counted on harmony. This side needed to stay in Equestria with or without me ruling it. I only placed half of myself in the tree while I planned to watch over the world a bit longer. But, my tree managed to foresee a future pony who would allow me my freedom. That very special pony is you Twilight you have proven yourself worthy of it. By showing that alone you could spread the very powerful harmony or magic of friendship. Those elements are one and the same essentially…”
Twilight’s jaw fell limp as she gasped in shock,
“W… wha… what… what are you talking about?! Me replacing you that is impossible I'm not immortal or anything like that. An-and you tried to kill me an hour ago and even attempted to kill the tree with plunder vines. Wouldn't both your halves perish from that?!”
Before Harmony Seed said anything Discord’s voice rang out around them,
“Oh my dear Twilight, you always seem to have the same punchline, you're so funny… You need things to be explained for you then why do you think my sister Harmony Seed brought you here in the first place? She's going to hand over the reins to you, in other words, you're going to become the new Spirit of Harmony. Seedy will finally rest in peace while you take her place. Isn't that wonderful you have been upgraded from Princess to a Goddess not even Celestia has that title! She’s only a demigoddess. Besides, she was planning this for a very long time… Even if the plunder vines killed her tree the magic in it would just return to her with the other half of her soul.”
Harmony Seed looked down at Twilight and spoke in a sweet tone;
“While Discord may have put it more bluntly than I would have cared for. He is correct, you will be taking my place, my powers and my magic. I will finally fall into my internal rest among the others, but instead of joining them I'll become the complete Tree of Harmony. I have put much work into Equestria so I would like to rest here admiring my efforts, “
her tone shifts to one filled with remorse,
“ I'm truly sorry for harboring such killing intent toward you in that cruel test. I had to play the villain in this story for my plan to work out, I understand those actions can't be forgiven… This was all to make sure you were the right pony to replace me and spread harmony across Equestria. If that had failed then like Discord said my soul half within the tree and the magic in the tree would have returned to me.”
Twilight spoke, panic-laced in every word,
“But I can't do that! It would be like me indirectly killing you, this isn't right it is all wrong. It's… it's… it's ridiculous how do you know my cutie mark is even the right one, huh?!”
She clearly ignored the apology as paranoia overtook her senses, she couldn't accept being forced to kill somepony else. Her mind raced with how her mentor would react to this, the imaginary look of disappointment and disgust moved through her soul. Discord’s voice broke through those thoughts as he spoke in a soothing voice; which was rare for him,
“Twilight please try to calm down this was going to happen eventually… Even if Harmony Seed had to wait another thousand years, she has been fading bit by bit. Slowly joining the tree as we speak ever since your friends first used the elements. Only one reason kept her from ending it all year ago and that was because she just couldn't. Her position would never allow herself to die knowing full well there would be no harmony to balance out my chaos. Regrettably, she gave up on this world so many years ago that she failed as the Spirit of Harmony and Order.”
Twilight's eyes dart to Harmony Seed to see if what he said was true. She was becoming partially transparent, the alicorn felt sadness well up in her core. Realization hit her that she had killed this Goddess a pony older than even her mentor without even realizing it. The wisdom and knowledge about spreading Harmony were fading because of her.
The slightly incorporeal alicorn embrace her smaller heir wrapping her wings around her for additional comfort. Twilight confided in this embrace continuing to cry her heart out. Harmony Seed spoke in a tender motherly voice,
“You didn't kill me, I choose to start this oh so long ago. My physical body will become one with my cherished tree and my consciousness will slowly slip into peaceful slumber. I'm no longer in any pain thanks to you yet I’ve caused you so much pain. Please know Twilight that no matter what form I take on as long as you take on my magic I'll live on in you… I would say don't cry, but ponies shouldn’t keep these feelings to fester. I can only offer you my condolences as immortality will soon feel like an unwanted curse. I want you to understand even if your friends pass on you can still meet them again. A body may die but you can't kill a soul they will be reborn in different forms.
Equestria needs you more than it needs me. I stopped spreading true harmony and allowed for false peace to set in as a soon to be the previous spirit this is the immortal mistake that I must bear even in slumber. You will do far greater than I because everypony I have seen with a star cutie mark. You are the only one who has proven themselves no others have even come close to looking like the Element of Magic in my eyes. No-one and I mean no one has been as understanding of emotions and friendship as you are. Besides, I failed long ago to defeat Discord’s chaos which through you indirectly managed to contain in some aspects. While I wanted nothing more than to escape this infernal eternal life I have. In my folly, you have spread harmony in ways I could have never dreamed of. You have saved Luna from her jealousy who was a fallen elements bearer. Reformed my brother into a better God allowing for balance to become more stable than ever. You ascended into a Princess through creating friendship magic. A feat that not even Starswirl the Bearded could accomplish…
I know you will become a great spirit after all this was all set in motion when you ignited the spark. It has all been apart of your destiny Twilight”
She continued to sob into the fading spirit's chest but pulled away to look up at her. Speaking through the sobs,
“Destiny is too cruel then… This is wrong in so many ways, Harmony Seed, if destiny meant for us to meant only to force me to accept your death. Then… it's probably the worst meeting I have ever been a part of aside from the first time I meet Pinkie Pie… hehe, She just ran away to plan a party I had no clue about while you managed to at least talk to me… I would rather become your friend and help you with this all. But, if you wish to die… then I-I'm ready to receive your magic, your role, and mistakes as a spirit. I want to look back to the time I knew Harmony Seed as a friend and not just the previous Spirit of Harmony. Right now were two alicorns who are able to understand each other until one finally gets to rest. Not the Princess of Friendship and the Spirit of Harmony.
Even if I lose my friends, even if I have to befriend them all over again: I wouldn't have it any other way I have to accept this… No, I choose to accept this. I'm not your replacement, nor a pony who was forced into this by something I had no control over… I want to show you this isn't just something as unpredictable as Destiny. I'll take over temporary until you decide when to come back… For now, just rest because you have definitely earned a vacation!”
Harmony Seed was surprised by how the next spirit put this but nevertheless hugs her.She whispers in the smaller alicorns ear,
“You've grown so much. When Celestia gave you your wings, making you an alicorn you didn't talk back to her. You accepted your destiny, but this time you choose to prove this is more than just that. Most would choose to take this over permanently yet you choose to do the opposite. Such an odd thing to say for somepony who has had their whole life mapped out for them until a special trip to Ponyville pushed the gears of destiny into motion. Maybe you're choosing this because of our new understanding of each other or another reason… Regardless, Twilight, as you can see while we've been talking to each other my magic has been transferring to you… I'll let you in on a little secret, haven't you ever wonder why we battled at the Tree of Harmony? I needed it's help to use my magic, the tree is a part of me.
The last time I used magic without help is when our desti… paths crossed when I set everything into motion. I will admit that you have been receiving my magic ever since the sonic rainboom, but haven't noticed its effects. Some of it is still sleeping inside of you, and you'll feel the full brunt when I disappear from sight.”
Twilight understood what she meant by this as tears continue to fall. She sat there letting Harmony Seed hold her tightly in this warm embrace. They waited as the taller one continue to lose color in her mane, tail, and coat. Discord just waited on the sidelines he secretly wants to say goodbye for now but can’t bring himself to ruin the moment. Right before she completely vanishes Harmony spoke a final message in a kind loving voice,
“Thank you, again Twilight. If what you say is true then I look forward to meeting you again someday… And Discord please go easy on her she is new to being a spirit, I would appreciate it greatly…”
As her form vanishes and her voice echoes through the Astral Plane, Twilight felt a warm feeling embrace her body. The magic begins to filly every vein and artery as the warmth continues to spread. She grows a few feet taller and her wings gained a rainbow color on the tips. Harmony's necklace appears on her neck just as it had looked when she owned it. Now only she and Discord remained in the starry blue plane of existence, Twilight stood up with tears still falling. She walks over to Discord then pressed her head against his chest. She softly spoke five words,
“Let us return home… Discord.”