//------------------------------//
// Alicorns - The Mare of Harmony: Part 1 
// Story: The Alicorn Book 
// by Nova Star Sparkle 
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* Chapter Three - Part 11:1 *





A few seconds later and having skimmed the text in her mind enough, Twilight went into reading the entry aloud to Luna and Celestia likewise. Both the night-blue and snow-white alicorn moved their heads nearer to Twilight as to also gaze sideways into the book laying at the tips of Twilight´s hooves.





The Legend of the Primoridal Alicorn´s


„As far as is known from the written tale of the alicorns, there were 4 of them who were vitally important for the emerge of the universe. For each of them had fundamental tasks, without which everything would otherwise have changed or would not have come into being at all. The alicorn of light-live with her light-based powers; the alicorn of night-live, with her darkness-based powers [Important Note: not to be mistaken with corrupted darkness; referring here to nocturnal life and it's energies – alicorns are generally pure and immune to corruption]; the alicorn of feelings with emotionally based powers; and the alicorn of peace, commonly referred as harmony, with harmonic based powers.
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The last of the four is also the alicorn which was the originating prime soul of the 6 basic key-aspects of harmony: known as sorcery, bravery, healing, hope, strength and beauty [Update Note: These are the old names for the aspects. They were renamed hundreds of years afterwards their creation and are since called magic, allegiance, kindness, laughter, honesty and generosity.] The last alicorn-mare was also known for her incredible wisdom, loyalty and calmness. Nothing could faze her, as she knew that harmony would prevail in the very end.
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As mentioned before in an earlier article, the alicorns initiated the big bang with freely unleashing all their power at once. For that, however, an equal distribution of all ever existing alicorn-magic and some preceding safety/precautionary measures were necessary. Otherwise, the start for a balanced, safe universe would have been massively hampered already from the start.
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For that sole reason. When the ´time´ [Note by Luna: time didn´t exist by then Tia, you fluffy cake obsessed – sometimes pain in the arse but still dearly loved by your ´younger´ sister; fellow deity. Stop referring to it as such!] of the big bang came, the alicorn of peace/harmony used part of her power to extract the main aspects of harmony from herself and form pure, divine and incorruptible essences from them. Known to all ponies and creatures as the elements of harmony ever since. The elements of harmony are the greatest and most powerful purification artifacts ever created. Originating from the soul of an alicorn to pure and mighty to be affected by corruption and alternation – be it space, time, mind, soul, power or reality. Afterwards she dispersed most of her left harmonic mana to her fellows, giving them equal amounts for the upcoming task.
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Until now, the six aspects of her are assumed to still be present in normal proportions for an alicorn - namely, the general base level that each alicorn possesses, regardless of its task. The essences were also specially enchanted by the mare to ensure that they would travel the shortest route to the first alicorn to appear in the timeline and grant them their near-infinite powers. Her intended purpose was for her to ensure that the galaxy she was going to create with her fellows was equipped with the basic aspects necessary for a truly fruitful and peaceful world. Even though she might not be the first alicorn to be known to exist anywhere in the universe, she had considered it. After thousands of years of peaceful existence passed within the kingdom of Equestria, her plan and endeavor can be considered a complete success by everyone.
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She was also well aware that the essences would most likely eventually manifest into physical embodiments – ponies - when the time was appropriate and her appearance in the timeline was getting closer and closer. It is not known by any facts to us alicorn’s, whether she will withdraw the aspects altogether once she finally ascends, for she never revealed all of her plans to even us - her trusted fellows. However, due to her specific harmonic nature we rather assume that the essences will remain in their specific pony form and may only form a strong bond with their ´true master´ once she joins our royal ranks. We don't recall much of her, but the harmony alicorn was by remaining knowledge of us three very powerful and had knowledge far beyond even our universal understanding. Yet she would however never consider to brute force her freely given aspects back to herself as that simply clashes with her natural peaceful nature. She is harmony and peace in it´s truest forms. Tranquility in it's living form and forcing beings into actions they don´t freely intend from their will was her only personally non-forgivable crime.

Epilogue:
//Any further knowledge could not be gathered so far by us. If new findings become available, they will be published in an updated version of this book by us - the alicorn’s.//



Once Twilight had read the entry and epilogue and thus everything of interest from Celestia, Luna and Cadance’s book, she shut it without a word for the time being while staring intensive at the cover. Luna in particular noticed immediately that something was weighing heavily emotionally on the young mare's mind. Not only because she again could feel a slight increase in Twilight's alicorn-magic aura around the lavender mare, as had been the case when Twilight had forced her full grip on magic. Though it was nowhere near as dire or unsettling as before, and there would be no repeat of what had happened previously, it was still clearly tangible in the air. Luna could feel how the increased sensation of magical concentration brushed along her horn and tickled it along it’s fine primal channeling fibers around it’s conical shape. She suspected the same was true for her sister Celestia also. A short glance to the white mare and seeing her knowing look confirmed Luna’s suspicion.

By all means however, Luna didn't get to ask Twilight about what was wrong, for the other alicorn mare looked up from the cover of the book at that very moment. And with that to Luna's muzzle just opening for her question and Celestia's friendly eyes. In the young alicorn mare's eyes a mixture of glee, high interest to learn new knowledge but also a spark of... sorrow?!

An emotion the other two wouldn't have expected to see in Twilight´s face after such knowledge was unfolded before her. The first two emotions fitted, for Twilight was always a very cunning and eager mare when it came to new information but why the sudden spark of sorrow in Twilight´s eyes? That just didn't fit at all to the youngest of alicorn’s. A very upbeat and friendly mare...oh! And that was when it finally dawned on Luna.

C'mon Twilight, really? We were on such good track, you're far too intelligent to fail to notice such a trivial detail. Although that may be exactly why you're failing to notice it. I too can remember all too well that in the early years of being an alicorn we had a hard time paying attention to the tiniest of things. No matter how crazy it may sound that one would even be able to overlook such tribal things in the first place, Luna pondered.

Sighing inwardly to avoid any unintended reactions, Luna darted to her sister and indicated with a nudge with her muzzle that she intended to take care of the minor problem. After all, they had managed almost entirely to convince Twilight of herself and her massive capabilities. They wouldn't stop at 90% now. All or nothing, was the only acceptable motto here. Celestia blinked to her sister in wordless understanding and made herself more comfortable on her pillow to simply listen for the time being.

"Hey Twilight!," Luna spoke in an affable manner, first of all to get back the young alicorn's full attention. Twilight perked up her ears in surprise, having let them droop somewhat in the interim.

"Yes?" was the somewhat somber reply. Twilight was visibly struggling to keep her issue and emotions in check. Her princess mask rather good for her young age, at least to common ponies. But nowhere inscrutable for someone with thousands of years of experience. Though, just as Luna suspected, an issue without a 'realistic' cause.

Luna had to gather herself for a moment so that only her intended kindness for Twilight was audible in her voice and not her own disappointment in herself. She would do her best to refrain from blaming Twilight for being mistaken. After all, she had no way of really knowing. Being an alicorn wasn’t something you learned on a single day. Truly understanding it could take the entire life expectancy of a pony, maybe even longer. Luna was sure not even she was already aware of everything. Same for Celestia.

"Oh, come on, Twilight. There's no need to be downhearted at all," Luna said and encouragingly stuck out her hoof with its underside towards Twilight to get the younger mare to talk. "But let's start at the very beginning. Why don't you tell me first exactly what the supposed problem is. That way we can all work on it together and have it solved in no time."

Twilight blushed a little at first her face turning pink, somehow ashamed of what she was about to say. Luna also felt there was no reason for that either. She herself could remember many situations in her life in which she had been ashamed for no reason of what she had thought and wanted to say.

"Well...," Twilight began carefully, still keeping her voice quieter than normal. "'This entire entry in the book is quite interesting. Very intriguing and mind-blowing in fact. Still, it saddens me a little. Or rather, it scares me, about what I've just read and learned." Twilight shuffled her hooves around on the pillow she was lying on. “For as I see it, then, only three of the four most important alicorns are already back among Equus. While the fourth, the 'alicorn of peace/harmony' as it was referred to in the book. The last that is missing, seems to have played an immensely vital role, and apparently still does. Isn't that right?" Twilight faced Luna directly, suspecting that she was her current charge for answers. Twilight still remembered that Celestia had revealed to her shortly after her alicorn-ascension that for things that focused heavily on magic, she was to turn to Luna. Both sisters were well versed in the magical arts, especially after thousands of years, but Luna had been foaled a unicorn and naturally was more familiar with it.

Luna nodded. "Yes, you are right. Let’s summertime again. The alicorn of harmony you referred to has created the elements from the six fundamental aspects of harmony shortly before the big bang. In the past known to us as sorcery, bravery, healing, hope, strength and beauty, as you have just read. Although they are now known as magic, allegiance, kindness, laughter, honesty and generosity after thousands of years of existence among our ponies. She did it by willingly extracting the appropriate parts of herself out of her soul and temporarily stored them in special magically created gems that were also unleashed with the big bang. She also had the wise foresight to divert a large part of her entire mana to all the other alicorns in order to create an equilibrium in terms of available power. I do have a very good guess as to what you mean by your so-called fear Twilight. Would nevertheless still like to hear it from you personally first so that we don't start off with any grievances here."

Luna tapped her hoof down onto the pillow, thinking and then spoke some more.

Luna then held up her hoof to stall Twilight for another second. "Nevertheless, I can assure you in advance that you are worrying far too much – and also for no reason. However I still understand that, as I said, it will be very difficult for you for some time to accept all that as it is and that's only natural. Our existence as an alicorn is and always will be a glaring topic to accept and you are just damn young for an alicorn considering your current skills and knowledge. You have a very high IQ, which means that it is still very easy for you to overlook solutions that should actually be so simple and logical. You are occasionally going into far too much detail than would be necessary. It was no different for my sister, Cadence and me when we were your age. Still, that will come with age, you will certainly get a lot better at paying attention to even the smallest things around you," Luna gently beckoned to Twilight. She then continued without giving Twilight time for an answer of her own. Twilight for her part had been aware that Luna was still not finished with speaking and dutifully remained silent. Even if the lavender alicorn almost burst from being finally able to voice her thoughts. Her wings twitching impatiently at her sides and sparking some of its strange magic along her primary’s.

"I guess in about 50 years or so, you'll be able to look back and just shake your head that you ‘worried’ like you do now." Luna sought to be extremely kind and compassionate with her voice, yet determined and direct on the subject.

Getting her wings silent from twitching at her sides and still red-faced somewhat, Twilight finally had the chance to pass her mind. "Like I said, I'm still rather embarrassed. Still I will say what I think. I'm just very worried about what it might mean for my friends and me if at some point said harmonic mare shows up here in Equestria. As you have already confirmed, the element essences originate from her very being – her soul. And as you remember we had talked before about my friends and I representing the essences in their basic aspects very much as a physical embodiment. Each of us is deeply linked to the very foundation of our individual aspects.” Twilight’s voice rose an octave higher as she was taken more and more by her thoughts. “Heck it almost is entirely impossible for AJ to lie or Pinkie not giggle, for example. Only if it truly is necessary."

Twilight wheeled her hoof around in the air in search of finding the right words. "Well, wouldn't that imply, secretly, that the links between the essences and us would eventually be severed completely?” Twilight held up her hoof to add more. “Further, that the alicorn of harmony will take them back into her soul when she herself is ready to show herself - or ascend, as the case may be? That I myself don't have to worry about what will happen to me when the connection to the elements is cut off is clear, I guess. In the meantime you have strengthened my confidence in my existence as an alicorn and the fact that nothing can harm me so quickly rather good. But what does that mean for the rest of my friends if they are the physical embodiment of the elemental essences? None of them is immortal or even close as invulnerable as us alicorn’s." Twilight still held her hoof raised to indicate that she was not finished yet. Her gaze somewhat unsure but determined to Luna and Celestia.

"Still, before answering that question. I'd more than love to meet the alicorn of harmony, no matter how it all turns out in the end. She must have foreseen it all and from the sound of her being, even had a solution for the part with the elemental essences. Though I can't imagine what solution she might have envisaged - because there doesn't seem to be one."

Twilight arched her back slightly to uncramp her recently stiffened muscles as she regarded both older alicorns with another friendly grin. But her expression seemed partly feigned and failed to escape either of the mares. It was clear to both that Twilight was profoundly in her thoughts as she spoke nonetheless, going over scenarios and possible courses of events faster than any mortal would manage.

"I just have to thank her for that great sacrifice she made for all of us and Equestria. It was utterly noble and honorable of her and I can't get around meeting such a thoughtful, calm and wise being like her in person one day. Even though she probably knew in advance that she would regain her powers in the long run anyway. I seriously doubt I would have had anywhere near the courage to do such a deed." Twilight fell silent after she had made her statement and her question, awaiting an answer from either Luna or Celestia. Her expression slowly changed from her posed friendly and thus in fact rather downcast expression, to a solemn. She seemed to slowly push her discomfort aside and come to terms with the idea, allowing her usual curiosity to re-emerge for meeting another highly skilled being like herself.

Twilight's latest utterance provided Luna with exactly the idea she required, and the night-blue alicorn smiled most delightedly to herself. Her joy also being slightly evident in her external facial features. The dark blue mare rustling her wings softly, not noticing it herself.

"I beg you Twilight. Stop pretending to be something inferior to what you truly are. You alone have accomplished many things in the last few years that no one would have thought imaginable. Besides becoming an alicorn I mean. Also then we mustn't forget your friends, with whom you've accomplished many more improbable-sounding things in additional." Luna then cleared her throat, winking at Twilight at the same time. "Let me make this quick and untethered. Twilight, as a matter of fact, I'm VERY sure you would have done the same thing."

"But, mmmmph" Twilight attempted to raise an objection but was abruptly silenced by Luna's magic shoving a pink-blue glazed star shaped cookie into her maw. At least trying to seem offended, Twilight began delightfully chew on the sweet while aligning her ears in the direction of the slanderous dark-blue princess.

"Besides, I wouldn't necessarily consider it a 'sacrifice', that would sound a bit too dramatic and devastating. It's not as if these actions have actually weakened her in any way or completely stripped the essences from her. The alicorn of harmony itself will always possess the ordinary amount - for an alicorn, of essences within her. Nothing has and will change in that regard. Furthermore, I can allay your fears and tell that no harm will come to your friends either. As the last part of the entry in the book has already indicated, the alicorn of harmony would never forcibly reclaim a part freely given by her. Not even if that part is a fragment of her very essence. It simply is not within the way of her peaceful and harmonious nature to dare to do such a thing. I mean, after all, that's what her title entails, isn't it?"

Luna prompted a five second dramatic break in which she wiggled her eyebrows to the two other goddesses before continuing. "Still, for the last one, we can and will be extremely happy to arrange things. Right away, even, if you feel like in the mood. There is, probably surprising for you, a way to get in touch with her face to face."

Now it was Twilight's turn to be taken aback.

"What really? It's actually possible to get in touch with an alicorn that doesn't even exist as a physical incarnation among us yet? That's AMAZING!" shouted Twilight with a huge grin and her wings flaring wide as she jumped to her hooves from her cushion. In doing so, she unintentionally triggered a 'slight' (at least considered for her standard) magical surge from her magic, momentarily electrifying and tingling the fur of all three of them, causing it to stand on end in several places. The sheer force unfortunately also crumbled the last of the at least partly intact protection spells around Celestia’s chambers. However, these spells had hardly been of any use before and new ones would have had to replace them anyway. So it wasn't a significant loss.

"Oops! Sorry." Twilight lowered her ears down in embarrassment as the magic from her horn died down and she sunk back to her pillow. A small flick with Twilight’s horn grasped her wild ambient alicorn-mana floating aimlessly around and dutifully guided it back to the tip of her horn.

"Happens!" teased Luna while using some of her own magic to smooth the protruding tufts of her fur back to her flanks. As she shifted her gaze back to Twilight from her chest, her eyes also roamed over her older sister's fur. With a small sly smile, she realized that Celestia had been hit even harder than she had by Twilight’s outburst of magic. The snow-white alicorn had at least a quarter of her entire fur standing on end and her chest fluff was fluffed up nicely to snuggle into. However Celestia would surely deal with it herself in a moment, even if it was quite befitting her older sister according to Luna's liking.

"As I can plainly see, I assume your interest is more than peaked for a meeting? Luna grinned with a mischievous smirk.

Twilight nodded to her, still slightly sheepish about her magic having briefly eluded her grasp yet again, before neatly folding her hooves back under her chest. "Good! Best not let us wait a moment longer than necessary, then. Now close your eyes, please dearest. We will escort you to the location in which you will be able to converse with our mysterious alicorn. Oh and good work with collecting your wild mana back into your core so fast. A very quick and wise thought."

Visibly puzzled and blushing yet again a bit more red from the praise,  but confident of them both, Twilight arose from her soft, pure white and sun-embroidered velvet cushion. She firmly squeezed her eyes shut until all she could see in front of her was pitch black. But even with her eyes completely closed, she was not blind per se and her awareness was not noticeably impaired. Thanks to her noticeably enhanced alicorn senses, she retained a clear perception of the entire room and the events around her.

Therefore it was not hard at all for Twilight to identify which of the two elders it was that laid her wing on her back to guide her safely to that secret location. The place where, for the first time ever, she would meet an alicorn, until recently completely unknown to her and seemingly incredibly powerful, kind of all-knowing and collected in all its forms.

She had often been reading and napping under Celestia's wing back when she was still the wise alicorn's apprentice. She knew perfectly how the feathers of Celestia´s wing felt and instantly noticed the specific way it rested on top of her own wings. Especially those winter nights when it had been very cold outside and even the fire of the flaming fireplace in Celestia's chambers could not equal the comforting and reassuring warmth of a caring wing wrapped around her. A wing that was part of a pony that had as much guiding care in store for her as her biological mother, and Twilight also saw Celestia as a second mother. Even if she adored Velvet Sparkle so much more - understandable, given that she was the same mare who had given birth to her in hours of agony and would always be her one true mother. A unicorn mare who loved Twilight like no one else in the world and her well-being was the highest good to her. Just as the young lavender alicorn herself felt for her true mother.

The snow-white alicorn, nevertheless, had always offered her unending support, affection and understanding and no matter how often she had thought to deceive her former mentor... Her usual hyperactive brain had always just made up these situations and in reality she had never failed Celestia. On the contrary, she had usually even surpassed her old mentors high expectations brilliantly. For the most part, however, she had soon fallen asleep under Celestia's wing on these nights, knowing that she was in the safest place in the whole world.

It was this very wing that now guided her through the room, even though Twilight could detect Luna's wing not far away on the other side of her flank. Always ready to nudge her if she should drift off track. Something that was quite virtually impossible for Twilight to happen as apart from Celestia’s wing keeping her straight her ears and nose alone gave her better orientation as the common pony had with all it’s sight and senses combined.

After several steps, Twilight's pace slowed for one moment, puzzled her ears flicked, before she caught herself and resumed her former pace. It had not escaped her attention that the pair weren’t leading her in the direction of the main door of Celestia's chambers or the balcony doors. On the contrary, they were heading in the exact opposite direction. After a moment's thought, and with a detailed mental map of the entire castle before her imaginary eye, it dawned on Twilight. They were leading her directly to Celestia's bathroom. But why? Surely there wouldn't be a hidden, secret entrance that nobody but the two of them knew about until now - Right? Honestly, tonight anything seemed possible. Hell, she wouldn't be at all surprised if there was a secret room under the shower in Celestia's bathroom. Alternatively, maybe a vault that contained the most powerful and dangerous artefacts in all of Equestria. Though Twilight well remembered that this highly secure room resided buried deep within Canterhorn and was protected with hundreds of the most powerful spells ever created – obviously fulled by alicorn magic and nothing less than that. There surely wouldn’t be another one beneath Celestia’s bath, why have two? So no protective vault containing extremely mighty or dangerous items beneath Tia´s shower. But there still could be a portal anchor or ritual hidden somewhere to another realm like the plane I was in when I became an alicorn. Magic is the prime power in Equestria and not even I know so far anything that deals with mana. Even if it is basically my entire life and I have studied it for years now, Twilight pondered.

Celestia had, of course, shown her that very room a few years before and also led her around in it. While inside the vault, the eldest alicorn thoroughly had described each and every artefact to her young student that took in the information like a sponge. Twilight still had the almost 170 pages of notes on the individual objects neatly tucked away in her private castle library she took. Yet not without protection. Twilight would never lose, destroy or carelessly allow such important and, to some pony’s highly dangerous and tempting documents to linger around. She was no dummy, thanks for asking!

Meanwhile, while Twilight had been lost in her own mind, the three princesses had reached the bathroom. Not two seconds later Twilight felt Celestia's wing pressing a little more firmly against her back and onto both her wings while Luna's pressed kindly and lightly against the fluff of her chest. Whereto in response to the signals, Twilight paused in her current location and patiently waited with her eyes still firmly closed.

"You are welcome to open your eyes again now," Luna prompted the younger alicorn from her right. Twilight recognized that by both the direction from which the voice came and by Luna's magical presence, which she perceived quite clearly even with her eyes still shut beside her flank. It was virtually impossible not to notice the sheer magical power of an alicorn even from a hundred meters away. All despite whether she was the alicorn of magic or extraordinarily adept at magic anyway. Additionally, their auras were all unique and carried sparks of what they were deeply embodying with their essence. Making mixing them up as unlikely as overseeing them.

As Twilight opened her deep purple eyes as instructed by Luna, her gaze wandered slowly over her immediate surroundings.

As she had already assumed, the three alicorns were now in Celestia's bathroom. As was to be expected, the bathroom was very luxuriously furnished, which was understandable since it belonged to an Equestrian princess. It even reminded Twilight a lot of her own bathroom in her castle in Ponyville. Apart from the differing and much brighter color scheme here, inspired by Celestia's coat and mane just like hers, it resembled her own perfectly in almost every single detail.

The walls were made from pure, smooth, honed white marble and all along them were an almost uncountable number of golden flourishes. A good number of them echoed Celestia's cutie mark, but most of them followed a curved pattern throughout the bathroom. The floor itself was made from tiles of mahogany, carefully polished and worked to sheer perfection and glamour.

More precisely to their location, they stood in front of the much larger of the two mirrors inside the bathroom. She was in the middle, Luna by her left and Celestia on her right. The mirror was a full-body mirror, large enough for all three mares to stand side by side and still leave room for at least one more pony. The somewhat smaller mirror hung on the wall to Twilight's immediate left above a double washbasin. These were also made of pure white marble and each had a gold jeweled faucet with two diamond-topped nobs for cold and hot water beside it.

Directly behind her lay the grand double door through which she had trotted not a minute before. And finally, on the right side of the bathroom was the aforementioned rain shower. Big enough for at least four ponies or one or two alicorns, depending on how closely they were standing together. Oh yes, and not to forget was the gigantic bathtub next to it. Almost three times the size of the rain shower. Embedded into the floor with some stairs to descend and just like all the other equipment in the bathroom made of marble, gold and decorated with precious jewels. The inlet and outlet formed a small waterfall, the cascade being set high enough for a full-grown alicorn to sit on the step below and allow the water to pelt down on it’s coat. Twilight had made use of that feature more than once since getting her castle and could only recommend it to others. It was just so incredibly relaxing and released any lingering tension and worry from the muscles, thoughts and coat.

At first thought, Twilight couldn't make much sense of the situation. She was definitely missing something, she could feel it. But just what - time to let her mind wander and show what her brain and smarts were truly capable of. In clear voice, Twilight enumerated aloud the things she was seeing. Maybe it would help her find the missing piece faster.

"All right. So we're all standing in Celestia's bathroom, in front of this enormous mirror where we can all see each other. However, that doesn't help much in general though," Twilight began. "There are no other ponies here apart from the three of us, and with the aid of a quick scan of your entire bathroom, Celestia, I was able to rule out the possibility of any stairs or secret rooms hiding under your shower. The mirrors also came up negative when I tested for an invisible portal or teleportation anchor. So that can't be it either."

"A truly splendid idea Twilight, but as you have already noticed yourself, that is not the reason for which we have led you here to my bathroom." Twilight nodded in understanding and was about to ponder further, skillfully ignoring the two grinning princesses at her sides.

But then it suddenly dawned on her and even though it seemed so so impossible, she couldn't think of any other ideas. Luna had said she would be introducing me to the alicorn of harmony, which is why we are standing here in the bathroom in the first place. And the only ones here are the three of us. It can't be Luna and Celestia, they've already been mentioned as the first two of the four key alicorns. Cadance is almost certainly the third, plus she's not here. We don’t have any hidden rooms or magical anchors inside Tia’s bath either, ruling out the possibility of traveling to any other location. Yet that leaves only one remaining possibility. But really? Could I seriously be that blind?

Saying nothing, Twilight once again broke a record for blushing. Then she flopped down on her rear quarters with a groan and tried in vain to hide her embarrassingly crimson face from the two older alicorns with her wings and front hooves.

The other two mares in the bath subsequently started to laugh good-naturedly. How could they not? Twilight tried to hide her embarrassment fruitlessly like a little filly that had just been caught stealing sweets from the cookie-jar. It was simply adorable. After a few seconds, their laughter also infected Twilight.

Rounds of laughter later, they gathered themselves again.

"Okay, that's a little more than embarrassing. No backtalk!", Twilight admonished them both. Mostly Luna though, as she was about to make a cheeky comment as far as Twilight was aware.

Quickly shutting her muzzle tightly and averting her eyes from Twilight's, Luna fell silent. Though she was still smirking. Several seconds later, the older princess turned back to the mirror.

Luna then bowed her body while extending her right wing towards Twilight´s reflection with still a mocking smile on her lips. "Princess Twilight Amicitia Aurora Sparkle, may I formally introduce you to Lady Harmony? The one that created the elemental essences from her soul. Sacrificed most of her mana to strengthen ours prior to the big bang and knew that eventually the elements would become self-aware and their separate entities somewhere in the future. Even if she had no way of having said knowledge in the first place. Also the fourth prime alicorn goddess of Equus/Equestria and mistress of both peace and harmony - as well as your humble self."

Twilight just rolled her eyes about the last part of Luna´s obvious mocking and stuck out her tongue to the night-princesses’ reflection. Then like she had done many times today shook her head wild in denial. "There is no way – absolutely NO way, that I am supposed to be this serene alicorn we just talked about. The way she is pictured in your book are all things I clearly am not.”

Twilight magically crafted fingers suspended in the air in front of her as she enumerated each item in turn. „Level headed; composed; aware of things she shouldn´t be; harmonic and peaceful beyond any mortal comprehension or some other things I could name you."

"You seriously think we are joking?," Luna´s eyes lingered on Twilight´s in the reflection of their shared reflection, her voice underlined with disbelief. The other mare’s eyes burning with sudden vigor and a fire Twilight hadn’t seen today so far. “I highly pardon such thoughts dear, for we would never dare to voice such a nasty joke. Especially talking about you, that´s far beneath the close relationship we all share. And to the part of being harmonic and peaceful beyond mortal comprehension…well it´s rather neat then that alicorn´s aren´t mortal beings in any way to begin with. Wouldn´t you agree sister?" Luna´s head jerked some degrees to the side to face Celestia´s reflection in the mirror for the third mare hadn´t said anything so far in their conversation.

Celestia just giggled and then raised her own voice to add more to her sisters statement. "Twilight, I fully agree with my sister and even more. Just addressing the one fact of you not being capable of knowing things you shouldn´t unlike the alicorn of harmony. Your quite wrong, for each of us does indeed remember many things we had no right to be aware of. Your native ability as an alicorn to command all magic at your will without ever having learned it; or the sole ability to extract, forge, heal and strengthen magic-cores just some of them. Also given your age of mere twenty and not even grown to be a fully matured alicorn there is still a long way for you to undergo. Also, as pointed out, you have to consider that we have not yet regained the majority of our abilities, knowledge and capabilities as pre-universal entities. I would even say my sister, Cadance, you and me are still far from the first percent of our true knowledge. For why should we not have known of everything that there is in the universe, when all that there was was us? You can hardly argue with that logic."

"Besides, you can't deny that a friendship with you comes so incredibly easy that it can almost be taken for granted. Every pony that dealt with you ended up more in tune with themselves and others than before they got to know you. Some even bonded back with long lost friends and family members they deemed unworthy or broke apart years ago," Luna interposed. "To me, that sounds very much like the alicorn of harmony and peace on top of your embodiment of friendship. And then I would also like to point out that there is probably no living being that doesn't enjoy knowing you in some way.

"How on earth was it possible for me to miss that? I manage to draw elusive conclusions from almost zero information, but fail at something so obvious right before my snout. Ouch!" Twilight sighed as she hung her head and ears in shame.

Nodding amiably, Luna began again." Heads up Twilight. As my sister pointed out, at your young age as an alicorn, you're still relatively inexperienced - at least in actual life experience - and just overthink certain things. Therefore, like here, you simply skimmed over the fact that was right in front of your snout. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, we've all been through it hundreds of times in our long lives. Nowadays it´s unlikely to happen to my sister and me but even we, with 15 millennia’s alive could still oversee simple things that we technically shouldn´t.”

Luna extended her wing and rested it onto the tips of Twilight’s furlongs. A warm and comforting smile on her lips for Twilight.

“Never worry! There will be many more instances where you might oversee things that should be clearly obvious or shouldn´t evaluate your notice in the first place but still do. We could call it our little ´knowledge curse of the alicorn´s´, that our perception is sometimes simply to fine to see the small things in life. But please, don´t rack your brain about it. After some years you will grow into it and become better and better in not letting it happen.” Luna’s hoof pulled away and she rested it back beside her other. “I'd say give it another decade and the chances will be one in millions that the same thing can happen to you again as it just did."

Luna´s head now tilted to her left side as her ears flicked. “So, after all we have said and you newly learned – what do you say?"

Celestia and Luna gave Twilight a friendly prompting look over their reflections of the mirror. Both silently awaiting the lavender alicorn's response with their breaths held.

Twilight coughed and lifted her eyes upwards for a moment to think. "Well, I really can't say much about what it truly means to be the alicorn of harmony and peace so far. How should I? I didn't even knew five minutes ago that I also embody all the harmony and peace of Equestria? But as you know me, expect my very detailed report and analysis on it in a few years.”

Luna giggled, “Well, as long as it doesn’t splash into my cereal one morning, I think I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll give it my best shot, but I can’t promise anything,” Twilight quipped back with a mischievous grin on her muzzle. Luna’s idea was sounding tempting.

“But I still confide in you enough that you are telling me the truth, even if it sounds still too crazy to really believe. Cause the book, after all, had almost no further information about any special abilities, perks or the like beyond what my role entails." Now Twilight sighed deeply, her head sinking down a little as she exhaled and her ears flopping down the sides of her skull. "Except that all my worries, especially those concerning my friends, were once again completely unfounded," jested Twilight as she picked herself up straight again. "But regardless of what may come my way in the future and what ups and downs I may have to traverse. I am nevertheless very happy to take on the task, I have a hunch that the title of harmony alicorn has a lot more to offer than just being ´a title´,” Twilight quoted with her hooves in the air. “Leaving aside the fact that, from an aesthetic point of view, I've always owned it anyway.” Twilight nodded her head to both other mare´s. “Plus, I have you three and I'm sure you'll be just as supportive helping me come to terms with every occurring problem when I need help as I will be for you."

Both older alicorn's approved without words and merely a blink Twilight's trust in them, it needed no words for that.

“Before we continue I have one more question for you dear Twilight,” Luna addressed the younger mare then. Twilight for her part rotated her ears back to Luna and waited.

“Let´s just speak purely theoretical about the worries confounding your friends for one second. The elemental essences were or better are still parts of your soul. Absorbing and rebinding them with your soul is probably your most basic right. They are part of your deepest self after all and their entire power is solely your´s. In fact no other creature, not even an alicorn, could absorb bits of their powers for you took great care to forge them in such a way only your very DNA is compatible with them. They reject ever attempt of others and don’t do so lightly either.”

“You might not know it, but the ravine that surrounds our old castle in the Everfree Forest is not a natural formation. Merely the cave in which stands your Tree of Harmony pre-existed before we found the elements. We built the castle on top only years later before you ask. You told us we were free to utilize the elements in your absence at any time we would need them. We were skeptical, however you assured us that we would not be able to do any damage to them whatever we tried. Nevertheless, we wanted to preserve them even better and took it upon ourselves to bind them to our essences for an indefinite period of time. We wanted to prevent them from falling to creatures they were not meant for. Inevitably, after your ascension, they would be tethered back to you anyway, so we didn’t see any harm done in it.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “I don’t think I need to mention what transpired when we sought to bind them to us, I suppose that’s self-explanatory.”

Celestia uttered an amused snort as she remembered back to that day. Now that had been quite the event. Good thing no other pony had been around at the time. The unintended flight from the center of the Everfree Forest to the Dragonlands was something she still felt physically even after all this time. Well, at least as much as an alicorn with its invulnerable body was able to feel.

Twilight´s eyes went wide hearing that, for she obviously hadn´t thought of something like that to even be remotely possible. Yet then again she was and had always been an alicorn – a very powerful one and particularly more so in magic, she really shouldn't be surprised.

The mirth persisted for a few more seconds before Luna reverted to her serious demeanor. “But that aside, now I have a question for you. Would you ever consider doing that? Taking the elements back into your being would mean you get all that back what you gave, completing your essence as alicorn of harmony fully and for all eternity to come. It would grant you significantly more power over all other five key aspects of harmony and set you far above any other of us three alicorns in said. It however would also mean that the physical aspects of what the elements have become would also forever fade into oblivion. The cognitive self-aware potential that are your friends. Considering also that fact, what is your answer to that?"

Twilight didn't waste a second giving her answer. Her voice was so full of energy in what she thought was the right thing that it nearly cracked to sound like a squeak. "I would never do it. Never even consider searching for a way to absorb the elements back into my soul while still have my friends around with their full cognitive self. Even if there would be only a minimal chance of one to a billion for it going wrong in any way, it still is too much of a risk to be worth it. As my previous self as the alicorn of harmony I gave the aspects freely with the knowledge that they would become their separate entities in the future and that's how it will stay. No arguments! Friends like these five are worth much more than any power the universe can offer me."

"That's exactly what I thought you would say, Twilight,” Luna smiled knowingly. The dark-blue alicorn hadn´t expected anything other as an answer from Twilight for she may perhaps not remember much from how Twilight had been as the alicorn-essence of harmony so many years ago. But she still did remember that Twilight too had been an incredible alicorn essence and had never done things imprudent. Or with at least ten re-calculations of what her actions would unfold in any imaginable time and space ever becoming reality. Finally, Twilight also already did a lot of philanthropy on her own without knowing it in Equestria. Her gracious actions and willingness to keep her doors always open to her subjects for help, just like any of them, were further indications that she was a natural worthy fit for the role as alicorn of peace.

While Twilight had been talking  Luna had used her magic to fetch the plate of cookies from the next room, now levitating it beside her flanks in a steady mild glow of her magic. She took four more cookies for herself and also offered the plate to Twilight and Celestia. Both alicorn mare´s however friendly declined the sweets for the time being. As Luna levitated the plate back to Celestia’s quarters and lowered it back in the middle between their pillows Twilight simultaneously fired up her horn in a bright light. In a puff of magic their three cups and the steaming tea cattle materialized in front of Twilight. She skillfully pureed herself and Luna some fresh tea after which she passed the cup on to her fellow companion. Celestia's cup, clinking softly against hers, was also refilled once the last sip from it had been taken by the white mare.

Watching for a few seconds how the steam lazily rose from her tea Luna raised her eyes back up to look into the mirror, smirking. “Having checked that off, let’s get back to the topic at hoof. Well, it's not quite true that there isn't more information to share. To be honest, the book has already been revised and updated many times in the past to compensate for the new knowledge we gained.” Luna tapped her furlong against her chin. “Fourteen times if I'm not mistaken. The last time being shortly after Cadance became an alicorn, almost 300 years ago, as I'm sure you know for rather obvious reasons. To date, as said I have another fact that is worth sharing and contributing to our book. You're welcome to do that yourself in the next copy anytime you like. It is, after all, ‘the book of all the alicorns’ that holds our commonly known past, heritage and abilities. As you are also an alicorn, it is only fair and natural for you to add your contribution."

“It’s your inherited birthright too,” Celestia kindly added.

"Don't worry, I already thought of that and I already know exactly what I will add," Twilight countered with a mischievous grin to Celestia. "But now I'm intrigued what you could possibly tell me." Twilight's ears were perked up with intense anticipation to Luna. The moon princess, however, nosed the attention from herself to Celestia.

Celestia let out a soft laugh at Twilight's eagerness. The teenage alicorn reminding her of herself in so very many ways. She had been no different when she was the same age. While also a little like her sister Luna, the latter had been more concerned with practical knowledge in physical and magical uses, such as combat and defense, unlike her. Luna and she supplemented each other and formed a formidable team, even if Twilight and Cadance were not taken into account. With the two other alicorn mares their teamwork was improved enormously and was the reason Equestria was as gorgeous, safe and wealthy as it stood.

Her sister had always been the more 'tactless' one and she the more ´solicitous´ of the two. Not implying that Luna lacked any kindness or affection for her subjects, or that she herself lacked assertiveness, but it could be seen that way: They were the opposites of a single coin. Just as the sun was known first for giving an almost endless warmth, the moon was known for appearing cold. Opposites; simple words that broke down such complex things as two celestial objects, the sun and the moon, into something straightforward to understand. Both were far far more than that single thing however and so also their guardians.

Luna was known as the ´warrior princess´, always putting the safety of her beloved subjects first and not shying away from unapologetically putting injustice in its place with her own hooves. She herself, on the other side, was known as the 'bureaucracy princess'. First and foremost concerned with all that had to be done juridical in Equestria to effect exactly the same. It was why most of their aid-seeking ponies would gather outside Canterlot castle during the day and come to her solar court rather than Luna´s lunar court. Not because they didn’t trust Luna in being able to help them with their problems or out of fear. Luna could be as warm and almost as kind as her sister if she wanted too. Celestia simply had always found the greater pleasure of them both in the 'tedious' work of handling paperwork. And was… well, a little less hot-tempered than Luna. Alicorn’s did strive for safety and peace and were extremely good at spreading it, yes. But they still remained independent emotional beings with a hearth.

Twilight however... well Celestia knew the young mare more than half her life now and felt she could be right in the middle of Luna and her. Twilight loved books, charts and bureaucracy as much as she did, maybe even more but was also actively committed to improving Equestria with her actions as Luna was. Twilight - not the young mare, but the time between sunrise and sunset lay exactly between day and night, inevitably linked the two. It just made sense for someone named after the phenomena of something so truly beautiful to have qualities of both night and day in equilibrium.

"First of all, let me tell you that I envy you a little bit. Not in the bad or evil sense, but probably as affected by it as you yourself have looked up to me all these years. As someone whose skills you yourself were eager to match. I guess we can check that off as successful now, Queen of Magic" Celestia chuckled but continued unabated. She just raised her voice a little louder to tune over Twilight´s own soft laughs.

"I ´envy´ you simply for the reason that you are not only extremely good at friendship or harmony, whichever you would like to call it. Rather, you truly embody them in every sense of the word. Much more so than the rest of your friends - even though they already display five of the six aspects in their purest and highest form. Your devotion and care for others, however, far surpasses anything even an alicorn might normally display. You truly are the queen of all peaceful and harmonic bonds."

Grinning mischievously, Twilight likewise turned to Celestia via the mirror.

“Still not acknowledging the title of Queen of anything.”

Her next sentence was amplified to every word. “Not! – A! – Chance!, Tia!”

Celestia said nothing and Twilight continued.

"So far, that sounds quite promising, but not really all that special, considering that we are all alicorns and what we can do.” Twilight shrugged her shoulders. “Well, apart from the fact that it's a damn important position and task that requires a lot of responsibility not to be neglected. Still, most of it, however, is probably prompted by me impersonating one of the elemental essences and is therefore just a natural aspect of who I am as the alicorn of harmony. Yet there is more that you know and could tell me I suspect?"

Twilight's ears were once again pricked up expectantly and her head tilted in question.

"You are absolutely right about that,” Celestia chuckled again to the cute way of the younger alicorn’s inclined head. “For the interesting part comes now. As the alicorn of harmony, you acquired at least one more extremely powerful ability. Your body emits an additional aura on top of all the others you are already wielding as an alicorn. One that no one else of us possesses but you. And let me tell you, the effects, when eventually fully developed, are definitely something to behold."

Luna once again intervened in the conversation between the two alicorn mare´s causing Celestia to fall silent.

"So far, you probably haven't discovered the aura. As no one except someone with far more abnormally heightened senses - like us alicorns, could even notice that aura currently. The effects on ponies are still far too small to have any noticeable effect. One would have to be extremely precise and meticulous to be able to detect the effects at this stage. Again, that will probably change in the next few years, as you still grow into most of your abilities. It was no different for us. It shouldn't actually take much longer for you to unleash and expose all of your full powers thinking about it. While the exact point in time you will have to determine for yourself I can still give you a hint.”

“It has, from the moment of our ascension so far occurred after about three to four years. Now if you calculate, it should be rather obvious what I meant… Neither way, presently you most likely still think the effects are intuitive emotions, to others, for example."

Twilight's pupils had almost doubled in size by now. They also sparkled quite a bit more than they normally did from the attunement with her stars.

"To get to the point after we've talked around it for so long. There is indeed a clear reason why the fourth alicorn is explicitly described in the book as both the alicorn of harmony and peace at the same time. For one thing, the aura allows you to make friends with everyone and everything with no real problems - whereby it seems that this effect is rather an additional extension of the perk 'alicorn of friendship' than of anything else. Conversely, you are also already known to many of our subjects as the Princess of Hearts, which you may be aware of. It may not be a legal - or officially recognized title in Equestria, but it's still quite a nice gesture from all our ponies I guess." Luna smiled.

"And before you ask. No, it's completely independent of Cadance and her duties. She is and always will be the alicorn and princess of love and sentiments. It's just that many have spoken of your kindness and helpfulness as nearly unrealistic and at times even divine. Fitting I believe. Which is why most of our ponies have taken you to the core of their hearts. A lot of them say that there is something about you that makes it simply impossible for them not to like you. Even more than the other three of us combined like a few stated – which is rather impressive to hear. I guess you can be rather proud of that."

"Again, I can verify all that, since it is roughly possible to guess to what extent your effect will increase. Though not fully still to a remarkable extend. For even we cannot tell you what unique abilities we, just like you, are capable of developing. You have to find it out yourself. But what is nonetheless certain is the fact that even totally wild animals and plants that wouldn't usually listen to anybody - let's take the Everfree Forest as the best example - act highly cooperative and placidly in your immediate vicinity."

"Wait, wait!," cut off Twilight Luna's flurry of words. "'Everfree's animals and plants'? Your joking! That's the most dangerous spot in all of Equestria, simply for the fact that pretty much everything in that forest is very hostile. There's no way they'll let me alter their behavior. The Everfree is the only place in Equestria that can’t be controlled."

Luna agreed, at least partly. Twilight was correct in one regard. The Everfree Forest was still a greater danger to anyone who entered it. Albeit even that had improved considerably in the last few centuries. It had been almost a decade since the last casualty, and the only injuries were minor to moderate, caused by careless hikers who strayed too far from the main paths into the thicket of the forest. Mostly tripping and hurting themselves in the process and not even being attacked by wild creatures in the first place.”

Yet provided one stayed on the paths and did not try to hurt or nick the young of any forest dwellers, the Everfree Forest was quite safe. However, all that was of course only as long as ponies didn't act completely like blithering idiots and explicitly challenge the flora and fauna of the forest to attack. It still was an uncontained and wild growing forest at it’s hearth.

"Technically, yes, you're right. The forest is a place that is often warned about, and you should definitely still think twice about entering it. However, do you really think an alicorn like us, with the powers we hold wouldn’t be able to erase even the Everfree if we intended too?

Twilight seemed slightly unsure. She hadn’t see it that way so far. Luna was right.

“So I guess the Everfree is a too critical part in the local weather and ecological system in Equestria then?” Twilight had a hint of questioning in her voice. She was sure to be right but still better be safe than sorry.

“It sure is. The pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies would eventually manage to stabilize even the lack of the Everfree. But the actual benefit of up keeping the Everfree and it’s eco system and merely containing it at it’s borders is the far easier solution,” Twilight got confirmed. 

“Sure an alicorn could affect all that with a single flick of it’s horn more safely and easy than all of them combined. But we are here to guide them the right path. Not to save them from any minor threat and hardship they face. Our ponies would never have learned to care for themselves if we had done that.”

“Well… there is no way to argue to that, so… let’s check that off and move back to what you’ve just intended to say?” – “Sorry for interrupting,” Twilight hastily added.

“None taken and with pleasure.”

“I'm sure you'll have noticed that together with your friends you've never had any very serious problems from the first time you ever visit the Everfree. With, let’s say, for instance, timberwulfs, manticores, cockatrice or any of the forest's plants apart from minor deals from the latest. That's because you were accompanying them."

Luna´s gaze became thoughtful and her next words were spoken with great care. "Now I don't want to imply that your friends would have had serious problems otherwise and that they would have been in huge danger to enter the Everfree Forest without you. But still, all the local animals have stayed away because in a way they have been intuitively influenced in the good sense by you and know that if they were to attack and hurt your friends, they would fall into your disgrace. Whether you actively or unconsciously showed that if it ever came to it, they know."

Luna's ears tipped back a little in embarrassment. "However, that's the best I’m able to explain it to you, sorry. You'll have to look into it yourself and do some research for more information. That might work best if you were to actively test your skills and document the results and… argh, what am I talking about? You out of all of us probably know best how to experiment successfully, pardon me. We can only bargain with theories here, seeing as we've never had the chance to investigate this very thing personally."

By now Twilight's ears were not quite so perked up either, and as Celestia noticed it she regarded the younger alicorn curiously with a questioning look. Twilight’s behavior was again rather unusual to what either of them had expected. Technically there was still no reason for Twilight being anything other than upbeat. But as far as Celestia was aware and remembered, the alicorn-essence of harmony had said her corporal self would be torn left and right with her emotions for the first years of it’s ascend. Another thing the mare shouldn’t have been aware of, but it made sense. Being as calm, composed and peaceful as she once had been was probably something that had to be developed and re-learned and wasn’t a gift received from the very first day. So to help as best as she could Celestia’s eyes showed now the usual motherly care she always had for Twilight and her muzzle was adorned with a gentle smile.

Seeing Celestia gazing at her made Twilight speak up. "'Most intriguing but also more than confusing. It sounds like a form of mind control at first glance to me," Twilight said, mildly thrilled and somewhat unsure now. She had never been much of a fan of mind control, or anything comparable. Who even thought of mind-control in the good sense? In fact, she would even call it a high aversion to repulsion making her feel sick inside to the core at the thought of even attempt of using something so abject.

It was also clearly evident in her physical reaction as she unconsciously folded her ears completely down and the fur on her neck began to stand on end while her wings began to gently fan out from her body. Her tail also stirred back and forth restlessly behind, brushing against Luna's and Celestia's rear legs.

Rapidly shaking her hoof vigorously aside now that she knew the source of Twilight’s worry, Celestia reflected her younger, lavender fellow's anxiety.

"No! No! I can assure you with confidence and a clear conscience that it is certainly not. We even are entirely unable to project mind-controlling effects as these are considered the darker forces of magic –“

“But aren’t I all forms of magic as the alicorn of it?,” Twilight began but Luna interjected. “Don’t think any further Twilight!”

“Yes, you are the master of magic and can channel and guide it like no one else. But while the divine, lighter, common, darker and corruptive magic’s are all well within your range of control you personally remain still an alicorn. Your abilities allow you to channel only the alicorn-level divine, down to common categorized forces of magic like any alicorn for your spell crafts.” 

“Anything below is magic completely denied to us, though that’s just fine with me. Evil, corrupted, or generally foul magic is just… sickening,” said Luna, as she shook her body and ruffled her feathers to get rid of her shivers. “Only you alone may restrain and disperse it nonetheless being the alicorn of magic. I personally don’t know how that may feel, but already I truly don’t envy you having that portion of your charge. I know foul magic can’t physically affect us but it surely won’t be the nicest of feeling one could sense.

“While I fully agree with my younger sister, I wasn’t finished. Far from it even with the amount of important bits yet to come.”

“Then let’s not waste any more time dear sister. I for my part won’t stand any further in your way.”

“- but just as every alicorn has a high influence on, let's call it ordinary animals and plants. In the same way, thanks to your peaceful, harmonious aura, you also have an equivalent effect on hostile plants and animals with at least signs of genuine intelligence." Finished, Celestia scratched her chin briefly and continued with her thoughts afterwards.

"Hm, on second thought, you might even be able to do Equestria a huge favor with your passive ability. With your help, the Everfree Forest could actually become a much safer place, even if still not completely harmless. It still remains the Everfree Forest after all. By speaking to the inhabitants of the forest as well as the ponies who want to enter it and convincing them that mutual respect will benefit both sides massively in the future it could work."

Twilight considered it for a moment. "Yes, I suppose I will tackle that at a later time. Could genuinely be a seriously sound idea in the long run."

Following the statement, all three mares wordlessly remained standing in front of the large full body mirror for a short while, mired in their own thoughts. Then Twilight indicated with a sideways movement of her head backwards whether they ought to go back to their cushions. Those were, in the end, much more comfortable to talk on than Celestia's bathroom, even if the latter was gorgeously and impressively furnished. Luna and Celestia wordlessly complied with the friendly request of one lavender pone, whereupon the three alicorns trotted at a leisurely pace back to the main room of Celestia's bedroom.

Once everyone had settled back on their respective pillows, again Celestia began to converse. At least she intended to, yet Twilight beat her to it with a question.

"But isn't all that a bit too many titles for a singular pony? I mean, I alone am supposed to represent magic, stars, friendship, harmony and peace in one pony? While I'm not overlooking the fact that I'm in fact an alicorn, it all seems like pie in the sky to me..."

Her ears perked in surprise as she heard both Celestia's and Luna's good-natured chuckles. "Oh Twilight, as humble as ever. I can very well see what you mean. I guess we need to ramble on a bit more, so let me explain." Luna began by taking another indulgent sip from her teacup.

"You have to view it like that dear Twilight. Given the immense amount of powers, abilities and authority that is held by the species of alicorns. We, as those very beings in consideration of logical reasoning, common sense and sanity. Just by the virtue of our nature as a being that is truly essential, eternal and impossible to get rid of, have no right to be permitted to exist at all in the slightest. You can twist, bend and turn around that key factor any way you like, but you will always end up with exactly the same answer: From a realistic or scientific point of view, an alicorn simply can't exist in this universe, or in any universe for that matter. Our physique, functionality and abilities are too...uhh... well extraordinary to permit that to happen. Yet we do still walk the soil of Equestria without issue. As much as it sounds like some bad joke from a foal, it's still the truth. You get what I mean by that?" Twilight in response nodded.

"Good!", Luna felt satisfied. "Apart from the four of us, no one will ever fully understand why we are and why it is possible for an alicorn to exist as it does. I mean look at it. Transcending any logic towards being overpowered, truly immortal, and pure from the very core of our souls, all striving for true peace. A mortal mind simply fails to grasp exactly these deepest thoughts behind it and will always wonder as to why. Not even our fellow immortals in the Council of Immortals can comprehend those inmost concepts - and believe me when I say that we have tried long and hard enough to achieve it. Unfortunately, as sad as it is, it is vital to actually be an alicorn to fully comprehend why an alicorn is an alicorn."

"However, let's get back to what you had just brought up." Luna was chuckling into her hoof seeing as she was already mentally tuning in to her now ensuing pun. Twilight first raised her eyebrow appraisingly, however quickly came to understand the other princess' delight as she began to talk, emphasizing certain words explicitly. Delight that soon had her grinning as well.

“A FRIENDSHIP is something truly MAGICAL that shines brighter than the most luminous STAR. Moreover, the state of such a powerful bond is one that describes a HARMONIC interaction with another that facilitates the highest state of PEACEFUL coexistence to begin with. It only seems logical to me, thus, that a single alicorn should collectively possess these five titles - which is what you're doing."

Twilight still chuckled silently then rested her hoof against her chin, deep in thought, hoping to find something, anything, with which she could counter Luna. But sooner or later the lavender alicorn had to admit surrender and bowed her head in defeat. "I just can't find anything to object to. The facts you have placed are far too logical for that."

"Don't be embarrassed Twilight," Luna soothed Twilight with a flourish. "I would have been truly surprised if even you had found anything. You can't alter what you're simple at the core, and therefore you also can't disprove it."

Twilight shrugged affirmatively and turned to something she knew she could influence and disprove. Namely that her cinnamon star biscuits were much better than Celestia's walnut sun biscuits and Luna's chocolate moons.


~~~ End of Chapter Three - Part 11:1 ~~~