The strange characters and letters contorted and twisted into legible writing as Luna magically deciphered it. Her horn faintly glowed as she began to immerse herself into the text, relaxing herself as she prepared to discover whatever secret Celestia had reserved for Twilight Sparkle. She sighed softly and began to read.
A few hours had gone by, and Luna was fluttering past pages quickly, her horn glowing and deciphering the code with each turn of the paper. She had taken notes on every important detail she could find, though even her powerful body and mind were succumbing to the stress it had taken. The psychological torment of losing her sister and her closest friends, as well as the recurring nightmares that plagued her in the rare opportunities of sleep, were eating away at her soul. It was only through her sheer determination and willpower that she remained committed to uncovering these ancient secrets.
Biggs had fallen asleep, Wedge taking over watch. He patrolled the windows one at a time, his dark armor and wings allowing him to camouflage himself with the library's furniture as he kept his Guard's lance at his hoof. He sighed, knowing the torture his Princess must be going through, and silently vowed to stay true and faithful to her.
Luna, Wedge thought to himself. I promise we will find a way. I just hope you don't destroy yourself first...
In the hours past, Wedge's guard duty was over, and woke Biggs up from his slumber, much to his dismay.
"Wedge? Ugh, five more minutes." Biggs harmlessly flailed a hoof at his brother and rolled onto his side, attempting to go back to sleep.
"C'mon Biggs, I've been up for hours!" Wedge went to the side that Biggs was facing and nudged him a bit, Biggs only rolling and turning his back to him again, both of them getting into a quiet argument.
"Be still!" The Princess finally shouted. "Wedge Darklighter, you may rest. You have performed your task. Biggs Darklighter, it is now your turn to take up watch. I am nearly finished. Grant me just a small amount of time so I may figure this out."
Biggs nodded and hopped immediately at Luna's command, grasping his own lance and heading to the window, Wedge smirking and plopping down on the floor, immediately drifting off to sleep.
Several hours had passed, and the dawn had began to encroach on Luna's night sky. She had finally finished her notes off, sighing and giving them a quick read to get her goals straight.
Thousands of years ago, an ancient race of pony existed with control over the Earth, the Sky, and the Cosmos. These deities were known as the Alicorns. Born with both wings and horns, the Alicorns were the common ancestor of all three modern races of ponies. Vastly powerful, the Alicorns molded and shaped the world as it is today and filled it with the life that dwells today, under the guidance of the royal family, the King Nighthawk and Queen Lightbringer.
The royal family presided over the lives of the Alicorns and the wildlife in the ancient city of Canterlot for many millenia, their powerful magic stretching out into the stars and beyond. It seemed like the peaceful rule would never end, until one day.
The Alicorn's magic had grown too great, and began to inversely effect the world they inhabited. In many places, the earth cracked and split open, volcanic eruptions coming to a catastrophic rate. The weather was unmanageable, even for the most powerful of Alicorns. Tidal waves and blizzards had wiped out many of the villages. Even the raw magical currents flowing through the world were slowly weakening.
In this apocalyptic world, the Alicorns realized that they were the cause of this problem. Too much power had existed, and they had upsetted the natural balance of the world. And so, King Nighthawk and Queen Lightbringer devised a plan to restore harmony to their world. All Alicorns gathered in the ancient Canterlot and agreed to give up their power. The remnants of the race ensured that life would continue in the world and that their legacy would not be forgotten.
To restore harmony to the world, the Elements of Harmony were crafted. Six crystal spheres containing the Alicorn's spirits of Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, and Magic. These six Elements contained all of the power the Alicorns had as their race began to vanish.
In order to ensure that not only order, but life would continue, the King and Queen created three final relics; these were the Runes of Power. Each one embodied the power of Earth, Sky, and Cosmos. In their final moments, the last remaining Alicorns that did not sacrifice themselves to the Elements constructed three temples, each in separate, distant realms. The Temple of Earth, the Temple of the Sky, and the Temple of the Cosmos each housed their respective Rune. These Temples were the final constructs of the Alicorns.
The Runes of Power and the Elements of Harmony were used to create the three races of pony seen today; Earth ponies from the Earth Rune, Pegasi from the Sky Rune, and Unicorns from the Cosmos Rune. These small new races were a great distance apart. In their final moments, Nighthawk and Lightbringer gave their strength to their daughters, Celestia and Luna, and faded away with the rest of their race. The two were the new Princesses of the universe, and the last Alicorns.
Luna had forgotten their past and their parents. She had no recollection of the Age of Alicorns, nor of the Runes of Power. Luna took a deep breath in and let out a soft cry in sorrow, the further-intensified pain of not knowing her own origins finally pushing her over the edge.
Wedge awoke to the sound of Luna's quiet sobs, both brothers slowly trotting toward her and sat beside her, doing their best to comfort her and keep protocol simultaneously. They would both hug her were she not their superior.
"Sirs Darklighter," Luna had caught her breath to say. "Thank you. I owe you a great deal."
"Think nothing of it, Your Majesty," Biggs said gladly. "We will follow you until we meet our ends."
Luna nodded sorrowfully. "I would hope that day does not come in the near future... But I believe I know what to do now."
Biggs and Wedge's ears perked, listening attentively to the Princess' instructions, both with their royal lances in hand. Wherever Luna was about to lead them, they would follow gladly.
"We must seek out the three Temples of the Runes. Only with their power can we restore the Elements of Harmony, and stop Celestia. The text that I have read will shed light onto the locations of these temples, and what we must do to enlist their power. Alone, I cannot stand up to my Sister, but with the Runes of Power and the Elements of Harmony, I may be able to stop her."
"Your Majesty," both brothers said, Biggs continuing the sentence. "You won't have to fight the Princess alone."
"No," Luna shook her head quickly. "I will not have you two thrown into danger like that. Even I am not a decent match for her. I need you two to carry out what I ask of you, as you have always done. This is a battle for me, and me alone. I have gladly accepted your aid, and shall continue to, but when the time comes, I must face up to Celestia on my own."
Biggs and Wedge nodded, proud to see that their Princess was becoming more confident and headstrong. "We believe in you," both said.
Luna smiled and drew her midnight blue cloak onto her back, the book of Runes levitating into her black satchel. "We've no time to waste. Let us march onward."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" both brothers called in joyful affirmation, tapping the end of their lances upon the ground. Luna approached the door, and opened it into the morning of Ponyville, the sunlight bathing all of Equestria as the Princess prepared for her long, dangerous journey.