//------------------------------// // Bonus Chapter: The Preamble of Time // Story: The Legend of Equestria: Majora's Mask // by xombiekilla //------------------------------// ☪ In the vast reaches of the universe, the cosmos held the first primordial light. From this light, The Star of Creation came division, and the first Pleroma split into two halves: order and chaos. This split created a resulting power that led to the formation of the world we know today. Before there was Equestria, before Termina, there was Arcadia—a land in its prime, innocent and pure. The two brothers, Sol and Majora, emerged from this division and were the first beings of creation. They represented the dichotomy of order and chaos, the beginning of thought, and the juxtaposition of energy. Although the same energy once bound them, they were now their own entities capable of their thoughts, emotions, desires, and fears. However, this world was empty and plain, with no abundance of life. Sol created balance to rectify this, which gave birth to two entities: Time and Life. Without life, time had no meaning, and without time, life would have no stability. Once time came to be, it gave birth to Kronos, a life form whose job was to maintain the balance of Arcadia's time management. Life then spread throughout the land as the abstract entity, Gaia Everfree, creating lush vegetation, serene skies, and calming waters. Gaia Everfree created The Four Giants and gave them purpose; in exchange, they swore an oath to order to serve as protectors of life. The first civilization was established once life began with spirits, which were the initial light coming from the primordial energy that Sol and Majora once unified as. These spirits became the first generation of ancients, shaping the land into their first form of society, building cities, castles, and entire nations. Life finally asserted its lasting form into seasons, which required celestial bodies to work with time. Thus, light and darkness were established from life, which maintained the balance and passing of time - the natural order of things. "Majora!!! Come back here, you cantankerous chimera!" Sol bellowed as Majora giggled and flew away from the enraged sun god. The chaotic creature hid behind a wide pillar, snickering like a child pulling a prank. "When I find you, you'll get a stern scolding!" "Yeah... if you find me, brother," Majora mused to himself. Then he saw his brother's face peering over the pillar he had chosen to hide behind, "Oh, poo. I guess you found me, bro, hehe." "That was very juvenile, I'll have you know, Majora. Berry paint in my mane, seriously?" The angry sun god had purple berry paint that Majora dumped from a stone bucket onto him. "What? I think purple looks quite nice on you, brother. Or maybe I should have chosen red instead? Hmm... what do you think?" "Enough of this, Majora! I will wash out my mane; no more pranks for the rest of today, okay?" Sol turned around to go into one of the chiseled stone houses that ran steaming bath water into it as Majora huffed angrily. "No more pranks for the rest of today... really? Doesn't he know that pranks are what I live for?" Majora then flew over to a tall evergreen tree in a clearing that sat atop a grassy hill. He enjoyed resting under it to think and pass the time. When he arrived at his tree, Kronos, the being of pure energy, approached him and knew that something had gone down. "Let me guess; you angered Sol again, didn't you?" he questioned Majora, who shrugged. "Hey, don't blame me; my brother has the sense of humor of tree bark. He wouldn't know a quality prank if it bit him on his arrogant behind." "Be that as it may, Majora, I wish you found a more constructive means of getting your boredom out of your system. One day, he'll become too angry to deal with, even for you, my friend." Kronos admonished his chimeric friend as Majora yawned from boredom. "I doubt he'll go that far, Kronos; besides, why would he do that if he knows that he needs me as much as I do him to keep reality stable?" "You know just as well as I do that he can be quite temperamental. You don't need to try very hard to make Sol angry." "Exactly, my time-keeping comrade. That's what makes it so much fun for me to do," Majora said mirthfully as he drifted around Kronos casually. "I love his reactions—seriously, that's the most amusement I get around this dull place," Majora scoffed as he all but cursed his predicament. He knew things could always be worse for him, but he also knew that he had things off pretty well for himself. "Just please don't do anything you'll regret; something tells me that Sol won't take your pranks forever." "So what, Kronos? If I can't prank him, I could always prank the other residents of Arcadia," Majora said as he pointed to the nearest settlement to his clearing. "I would severely advise against you doing that, Majora. That will make your brother very mad at you, you know." "Like the usual mad he gets or the madder kind of mad? What's the difference?" Majora shrugged as he mulled over Kronos's words of wisdom and plotted what to do next. Kronos then flew away to leave Majora to his solace. Majora was bored again; this would not do for the master of chaos and mischief. Sol walked out of the bathhouse, feeling refreshed and relieved. He sighed and said to himself, "It's a good thing that berry paint wasn't permanent. Perhaps I was too hard on him. I'll be sure to talk it out with him calmly." As he looked around, he saw Kronos wandering in Arcadia Square, so he greeted him, "Kronos! Good to see you, my friend. How's your day going?" "It's going well, like a spring breeze on a warm afternoon. By the way, I talked to Majora," Kronos replied. "How did it go?" Sol asked. "As well as you'd expect, an exercise in futility," Kronos said with a sigh. "I worry about him; he's my brother, and I love him. I want him to be the best he can be for himself, not to torment me or anyone else," Sol said. "You know what's in his nature, Sol. Trying to tell him to stop would be like trying to tell the wind to stop blowing; It's not up to you or me to dictate someone else's nature—we simply do what we're meant to do, nothing more," Kronos stated. "Yes, I understand your point, Kronos, but what if his pranks become more serious and harmful? I cannot just stand by while he uses Arcadia as his oyster." "Hmm... he did mention pulling pranks on Arcadia to me." "He better not do such a thing, Kronos. I-I... he needs to start thinking logically for once in his carefree life. If he does something as bad as that, I will have no choice but to take action against it." Sol said, trying to keep his anger in check. "I hope for his own sake that he doesn't. You have given him many chances already. How many times has he pranked you so far?" Kronos asked. "More times than I care to count," Sol lightly gritted his sharp teeth and huffed as his mane began flickering with solar energy. "He is like a pampered child and nothing more—always thinking of himself and no one else." "He doesn't have any friends, you know. He's usually alone when he isn't talking to me or hassling you." "I know, Kronos... I know. But he must willingly seek friendship; it won't fall in his lap. I choose not to have any because I'm too busy keeping reality in balance." Sol briefly lamented before continuing, "I know what's best for us, Kronos; he'll eventually need to come around and be more responsible; he knows that and so do I." "Well, in lieu of this conversation, Sol, I have a theory; what if Majora is incapable of comprehending orderly behavior?" Kronos's concerns were understandable. "What do you mean, my friend?" Sol asked Kronos. "I mean, what if he cannot understand the need for order and instead continues to create chaos? That is more your area of expertise, after all, Sol." "That is precisely what I'm afraid of, Kronos. If we let him continue, his childish pranks may become more severe. I fear that I only encourage him by allowing him to do what he does best: spreading chaos and disorder." "Although you refer to him as your brother, you treat him like a monster. Why is that, my friend?" Kronos asked Sol sadly, "Perhaps Majora needs a positive influence in his life. Have you tried that yet?" "I have tried everything I can think of, Kronos. You cannot change who and what Majora is; no one can. However, one day, he must realize that his actions have consequences." "I hope you can reach him, Sol, and that things improve for both of you and for Arcadia," Kronos said as he said his goodbyes to Sol, who nodded respectfully as they parted ways. "Oh, you can't pretend that's not funny, right? Look at him; I turned his garments into polka-dots," Majora said, giggling at the prank he pulled. Majora's delight was quite frankly irritating to the other Arcadians, who glared at him with disdain. The one being pranked was panicking, as that was his family's robe, passed down by generations of ancients. "MAJORA!!! Stop right where you are! I must have words with you," Sol stepped towards his chimeric brother, angry and ready to confront him. "What is the meaning of this? You know they are off-limits. Our job is to protect them; the ancients are the light." "Why? What's so enlightening about them, Brother? They need to learn to lighten up; nobody appreciates what I'm doing. I knew you'd be too stale, so I decided to change pace," Majora replied. "Revert his robes to normal... NOW!" Sol ordered through gritted teeth. "Oh, fine. I'll do it only because you told me to," Majora snapped his talon to change Ancient's robe to its former color. "There? Are you happy now?" "I want you to understand, Majora, that targeting those under our protection is a serious taboo. Our responsibility is to maintain balance, not to create terror and dismay among the people," Sol advised his brother. "Blah, you're always so one-note, brother. Order this, protect that," Majora mocked Sol, much to his chagrin. "But what about creatures like us? Don't you think we should have been given a choice like they were, to choose how we live our lives? They get to do whatever they want, while divines like you, Kronos, and I are bound by our duty to serve unwillingly." "That's just the way it is, Majora; that's our purpose; it's what we're meant to do," Sol replied. "What? To be slaves to an endless generation of individuals who don't care about us or what we've sacrificed to improve their lives? How is that fair, Sol?" Majora raised his voice, his anger increasing towards his brother. "Life isn't fair, Majora," Sol snapped back. "I would know, being condemned to solace with the knowledge that I can't intervene with ancient affairs. I can only step in when necessary. Do you think that's easy?" "Why can't we have fun? Why do we have to be told what to do? I'm not just an ancient; I'm a God, Sol, and so are you and Kronos. We should be the ones being served, not them." "It doesn't work like that, and you know it," Sol scolded further, "We cannot change what we are, Majora. Now you must promise me that you'll never do this again. Prank only me if you have to, but leave the other Arcadians alone. I cannot continue to let your antics slide and harm the innocent. That is where I will draw my line." "Pah, you're always so serious about everything, Sol." "I must be to be good at my job. Do we have an accord, Majora?" "Yes, brother... we do," Majora spoke through gritted teeth, and Sol took that as much good confirmation as he'd get from his chimeric brother. "Good. See to it that we never have this conversation again, Majora. I love you, brother, and I only want what's best for everyone." "Yeah, sure, whatever you say. I'll be at my evergreen tree; nobody had better bother me for a while." The dejected chimera of chaos flew over to his tree to sulk for a while as Kronos approached Sol again to speak to him. "Well, that could have gone better," the time deity said to Sol. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Kronos. Majora is inconsolable, and we can do nothing for one who's destined to be chaotic." "Hmm... So, you're going to take all of his pranks? Are you sure you'd be able to handle that?" "Better that than to put the other ancients at risk." "But, Sol, my friend, your anger..." "I know, Kronos. But I have no choice; if I don't take this, they will, which I cannot allow." "But what if he honors his agreement with you?" "He won't... I know him." Sol somberly composed himself. "I'm merely delaying the inevitable here; I know that day will come when I must stop him and show my brother no quarter." "As you will then, Sol. I'm sorry things couldn't be better for him; I tried to help him - to at least listen when nobody else would." "I know you did, Kronos. You're a wonderful servant to the cosmos; we couldn't have asked for a better deity of time than you." "I appreciate your kind words, but I'm doing my job, nothing more, Sol." "And your job is maintained nicely. So then, Kronos, I'll soon be retiring to my meditation for the night. What will you do?" "I'm not sure. I could watch the stars before I turn in. Sleep doesn't apply to us, but it is peaceful." "As you are then, my friend, I'll see you later." Sol bade his friend farewell as they both parted ways. The next cycle had begun, and Majora had a great time playing pranks on Sol. He painted Sol's mane with berry paint, sometimes in different colors, tarred and feathered his body, misplaced his ancient furniture, and then levitated him up and down to make him feel queasy. Sol's anger was boiling over like a cauldron, and he could not control it. "You must be enjoying this, right, brother?" Majora asked, almost mockingly. "Yes, Majora, I love being tormented for no particular reason; please, keep doing it," Sol responded bitterly as his anger increased. "Okay then, if you say so, brother. Just let me know when this plan of yours finally backfires." Sol could only look at his brother with growing disgust. He then remembered Kronos' concern about his anger getting out of control and understood why he was worried. Sol was at his breaking point, having had enough of Majora's constant pranks. He didn't know what would happen but knew it wouldn't be good. His eyes filled with intense fury as he finally said, "Enough, Majora!" Majora was almost shocked. "Oh... he looks angrier than usual now. Is this your usual anger, or is it a step above the level of anger?" Pearly-white fire billowed around Sol's hooves as he addressed his brother, "What do you think, Majora?" Majora hoped his brother could be reasoned with: "Maybe you should tune your rage down... just a bit before Arcadia becomes a scarred wasteland." Sol's anger was overwhelming, and he could not be consoled as he methodically approached his brother. "You just couldn't help yourself, could you, brother? When you were told to stop, that was too much to ask for; now I'm being told to stop?" Majora tried to move away from his enraged brother, but the white-hot flames stung his skin every time they touched him. "Yes, I understand what you're saying now, brother, really I do." Sol used his white magic to make his horn shimmer a brilliant solar hue. Vibrant magic could be seen and felt all around them, as his anger was too much to quell. "No, Majora. I do not think so. I do not think you do. But soon you will." He radiated pure light from his horn and then created an extended transparent blade on it. With a flick of his chin, his new weapon sliced at Majora, cleanly taking off his left bear arm. The blood rose like energy while the chimera shrieked in shock and pain. Frantically, he grabbed his severed arm as he tried to back away from his brother. "Aaaeeiii... brother?! This time, you have gone too far!" "I understand what must be done now; your actions and intentions threaten Arcadia, brother; you have nearly risked our safety. Your existence is needed for balance to be maintained, but you... you shall trouble the innocent no longer!" Another slash and his griffon arm holding onto his severed bear arm was cleanly cut off as he recoiled in pain and felt genuine terror for the first time in his existence. "Gah?! Please, brother, I'll change this time, I swear it." Slash after slash: his arms, legs, torso, mismatched wings, tail, then finally, his goat-like head remained as all of his pieces fell to the grassy terrain; each body part was enveloped in Sol's magic as Majora saw each piece of his body get molded like potters clay into the shape that one would assert to be a mask. His flesh turned into wood, and his head flattened out while the rest of his body was reformed into a misshapen visage of pure chaos. Sol spoke as he tried to catch his breath, "This is the only way I can keep Arcadia safe from your chaos, brother. It didn't have to be this way, but you pushed me too far. Rather than destroy you, I offer you mercy. My job is to keep them safe, and that's precisely what I will do. I'm sorry, brother." Majora found himself trapped inside a wooden mask that bore a faint resemblance to his former self. The mask was the only thing surrounding him, as he was engulfed in an impenetrable darkness. He could feel the weight of his confinement pressing down on him, with no visible way to break free from his prison. Sol had taken him to an ancient temple that had been crafted by the residents of Arcadia, and there he placed the mask on a pedestal. With a heavy heart and a sense of regret, Sol left his brother to his solitude, knowing that there was no way to bring him back to the world of the living. In his solace, he felt loneliness, dissonance, and betrayal, as the only thing he could feel was outrage at his new predicament. He felt his heart lurch with that pain; "I-I do not understand, why brother? This is not mercy; this is a prison." He was condemned in that state, inevitably resigning to his contempt. "Hate... hate... I hate this so much... and I hate you, brother... so much..." His lasting thoughts and his desire for destruction, turmoil, and revenge were all Majora had left now to keep him company; "There will come a day in which I will be released, and when that day comes, I shall consume everything!" "Sol?! What have you done to Majora? You cannot begin to imagine what could happen now," Kronos said in complete shock at his brother's severe reaction. "I did what was best for Arcadia, Kronos; disorder would only destroy us all. I didn't want to go that far, but Majora demonstrated his complete disregard for empathy or any redeeming qualities that a divine god must possess." "But to condemn him to such a horrible fate, Sol? There's no telling the kind of irreversible damage you just caused to his psyche." "What's done is done, Kronos; there is no bringing him back now. Even if I did, the risk of his rage would be far too much for Arcadia to bear." Time progressed, but the ancient civilization ironically stagnated due to the lack of creativity that only chaos could provide. Age eventually caught up to Sol, and he felt his time had come. With his last power, he divided his body into two energies, Day and Night, to carry on his divine order and maintain balance when he was gone. "Majora... I am sorry, brother; I wish you could understand that your power is too destructive for this world to bear." After one last melancholy glance at Majora's Temple and then at the cosmos, he felt his body split into two as his spirit drifted back into the universe where it initially came from, back to eternal peace.