This account is based on facts that can be derived from archaeological clues. This account covers the Elements of Harmony, a group of mysterious and powerful artifacts that have been used to save or protect civilization (mainly but not limited to pony kind) from ruin. The Elements have a long history, and until quite recently we have had almost no knowledge of what happened (concerning the Elements or otherwise) before somewhere around a millennia and a half ago, when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna overthrew the tyrant Discord and formed the Equestrian Diarchy, which we have since prospered under.
Thanks to a new initiative by her Royal Majesty, Princess Luna, grants to Equestrian historians and archaeologists have increased dramatically, allowing for much more study than was ever possible before. What has been discovered about our past is shocking to say the least, and with that I must again assure you that everything I say here is absolutely true.
This account should logically begin with the origin of the Elements of Harmony, of course, but unfortunately our findings on that leave much to be desired. As such that particular chapter of their history will be skipped, as I can put no definite knowledge to paper about it.
Their initial discovery took place around 3,500 years ago, well before Celestia, Luna, or even Discord ever set foot upon Equestria, but long after the first pony did. After their initial discovery and use, they were lost to pony kind until 2,000 years later, when the Princesses of Equestria ended Discord’s reign over Equestria. They were then lost again for another 500 years, when Princess Celestia banished Nightmare Moon and ended her reign of terror. They were then lost again (it seems to be a specialty of the Elements quite frankly) until when a thousand years later a group of ponies discovered them (yet again) to defeat Nightmare Moon a second time. They have since been kept under lock and key by Princess Celestia, although there is no doubt in my mind they will disappear again, despite the Princess’s, or anyone’s, best efforts. It is simply what they do best.
Now as stated above, the world 3,500 years ago was dramatically different than it was today. This is not speaking from a technological standpoint (our advances have not changed the world as much as we would like to think, and we actually are not that far ahead of where were in that era), but from a more cultural, political, and social sense. You see, at that time in our history, race meant far less than it does today. While today most ponies have never met a griffon, or don’t even know what a changeling is, or would look upon a bat pony as a pariah, that was simply not the case back then. Even alicorns were common. Yes, alicorns. We consider them today as only royalty, but the truth is back then they were just another type of pony, albeit a less common type of pony. All of these races intermingled freely, and no widespread racial hate existed. Interestingly enough, the word ‘pony’ was actually not a part of common speech back then. A pegasus of that time would consider himself as different from a unicorn as he was from a changeling or a griffon. It is important to note that the geographical unity of these races that we can see today would not emerge fro quite some time, at this time all races lived as one people. While each race appeared to each have their own governments (resembling the old pony clans that existed before The Great Pony Migration and dissolved shortly after), they seemed to be dominated by a government where each race selected a representative who sat at a Grand Council, that made decisions for all of Equestria (at this time, all of the aforementioned races inhabited Equestria, and Equestria was considered to cover lands that today we do not count as a part of it). Economically Equestria flourished, its wealth rivaling or possibly even surpassing that of our own in the present day. Equestria suffered no constant threats or enemies like it does today (which certainly helped contribute to their wealth). Instead there was an overriding sense of unity in this prosperous land, and all was well.
One of the biggest sources of knowledge from this era is an intense habit of almost manic record-keeping and journal-using. The Council decided that all official reports in any branch of the government should always be written, and this documentation has allowed for easier historical study. Likewise, keeping a journal was a common practice, and many of them still exist today, as they were buried with the owner in their tombs. Some have disintegrated, but many remain, an invaluable asset in studying a time so distant (it is probable that the journals had some sort of magical longevity, given the immense amount of time they survived).
The beginnings take place in a small town called Baltimare. While this is known for being one of Equestria's largest cities in the present era, in that day it was a small, backwater agricultural town that was hardly bigger than many other towns that we see today. Baltimare itself sits on the east coast of Equestria, located around Horseshoe Bay (named for its resemblance to a horseshoe, if you couldn't tell).
I shall begin by introducing each of the original bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and writing about typical life for them, simply because documenting their friendship and character is vital to the story. Then I shall describe the events leading up to their discovery, and the catastrophe that followed.
After that, the narrative will briefly cover on some attempts to discover the Elements of Harmony during Draconequus rule, all of which were futile.
After that, the discovery of the Elements by the Princesses is described, and then the banishment of Nightmare Moon.
And to wrap up the story of the Elements of Harmony, I will narrate some of the current bearers’ exploits, and the various dangers they have used the Elements to overcome.
In conclusion I will summarize everything we have learned about the Elements of Harmony throughout this study, in plain and simple terms. All known powers, requirements, and effects that they possess.
And consider this my warning: this is not a tale of joy, happiness, nor is it a fairytale to be told to children. The Elements of Harmony, most ironically, have brought more danger and disunity onto Equestria than any outside threat- were it not for them, life today would be very different- and possibly for the better. Many have died as a direct result of the Elements of Harmony, and countless thousands as a more indirect result. This is not altered from the original story in any way, and contains not only camaraderie, friendship, and peace, but more often than not, death, violence, and destruction. You have been warned.