//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: EOH: Backstory // Story: The Lost Secret of Twilight // by Dark Rose 777 //------------------------------// ". . . And the elements of harmony? Elements? Where have I heard that before?" Tucking the book in her saddlebags, the little filly raced to the castle, ignoring anyone and anything that got in her way. The Princess would know, of that she sure. The Princess knew everything! Twilight darted through the halls, evading guards and servants alike as she did so. Arriving at the throne room, the girl screeched to stop, her flying feet ripping the velvety fluff from the red carpet that lined the halls. Twilight looked at the damage she'd caused to the thousand bit rug. She shrugged with indifference. Her question held much more importance that an old rug. Besides, the servants would fix it. They always did. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and raised a fist to knock on the twin doors that towered above. She slammed her fist against the marble twice, wincing as her efforts were barely audible. She hoped the Princess had heard her. Otherwise, there no seeing the her. 20 seconds passed, and Twilight took a step backwards. The massive doors swung inward, guards straining to keep them open. Warm, golden, sparkling magic engulfed the little girl and swept her inside, right as the guards' strength gave out. "Thank you," Princess Celestia nodded at the guards. "Twilight, this is a surprise. What is it?" The Princess rose and walked to meet her little protégé' halfway. Twilight dashed up to her, coming to a stop about five feet away. "What are the Elements of Harmony?" came the breathless response. Celestia started in surprise, her eyes wide. Twilight took that as an invitation. She scrambled pas the princess and jumped on the throne and settled down to hear the answer. She was sure there was going to be a story involved. There always was. Celestia looked at her little charge and smiled. She turned and joined her, scooting Twilight over to the side.. "Why do you want to know?" "Because I read about them in this book!" Twilight replied, eagerly holding up spoken book. Celestia eyed the book and paused. According to the title, it was a guide to the Elements. Only one person had written that book, and copies were incredibly rare. "Where did you get that book, Twilight?" Celestia's tone touched on wary, and the guards standing by entrance looked her with concern, spears tightening in their grip. "From the library! It's written by the best author ever!" Twilight cheered, her magic spazzing in her excitement. Twilight looked at the cover. The Elements of Harmony: a guide on how to weld Them, by Starswirl the Bearded the Great Twilight looked back at her mentor, a happy smile on her face. Celestia looked her student. Such eagerness shown in those eyes. Eagerness to prove the impossible. It was a harmless question. And her answer would harmless, right? There was no way her student, so young and loving of knowledge, would go frolicking off on useless adventure to find six objects of legend that didn't even exist! So many bright minds had lost themselves to this legend. Including the author. Starswirl was so enthralled with these fabled objects, he'd lost his mind when he wrote that book. Celestia shook her head. She had to do something before Twilight- "Princess, are you alright?" came the little voice. Too late. Celestia sighed, and forced a smile on her face. "I'm fine. Let's see, the Elements of Harmony were six objects of unimaginable power. Each held a force of nature, and whoever bears them was only to use them for good, lest they be banished from the world. It is also said that the Elements were sentient, and could tell the difference between right and wrong." "Wow." Twilight gazed at her mentor in awe. Celestia smiled again. "In order for the power to be welded, the Elements need hosts for manifestation. However, no such hosts worthy have ever been found." "What can they do?" "They?" "Yes! What can the elements do?" "Well, according to legend, one controls the sky, one over the waters, forests, ground, spells, and so on." "But that's only five," Twilight interjected, frowning. "You said there were six!" Celestia chuckled. "So I did. The sixth element not only had the power of the previous five, but it had the power of life and death. The Elements could create, destroy, banish, and redeem." "WOW!" "Wow indeed. But Twilight, do you believe any of I've said is real?" "Um. . . Should I?" "No." "But you always say that every legend has a kernel of truth to them?" "Yes, but this one has no more evidence of existance than book about colorful ponies learning lessons and going on adventures together. So please, don't believe everything you read in the library. Can you do that?" "Yes, Princess." Twilight looked dejected, but Celestia knew that the cold, hard truth was the best option right now. She refused to let Twilight subject herself to the same fate of so many others. "But why would Starswirl write a book about something that doesn't exist?" Twilight asked. "We may never know the answer to that, my student." Twilight frowned. Then a question pricked at her mind "The Elements don't exsist, right?" Celestia gazed down at her student. What is on your mind, little one? "Yes," she answered slowly. "Because something like that is impossible?" She asked again. "I think so. I know this might surprise you, little one, but not even I know everting. When I heard tales of these powerful jewels, I grew lost in the lore and went out countless times in search of them, but i was fruitless. When I quit looking for them, so many others took my place, and many never returned. Starswirl was one of them." "Is that why he disappeared?" "Yes, Twilight." "But that doesn't make any sense! Why write a book on something that's considered impossible and then go out searching for it?" Silence. Then. . . "He wrote it because he believed in the impossible," the princess finally answered. "And i believe, he wrote it as he traveled in search of them. There are so many things we will never know, little one."