The foundation of one world is built on the ruins of another. Long ago, before Equestria and the surrounding nations, and before the existence of the diverse creatures that call those places home, the world was very different. It was a world dominated by a single, sapient species that made its living through ingenuity, exploration, and innovation. It was a world in which magic was considered myth, and had no discernible presence in day-to-day life.
These people, throughout history, had faced much hardship, competing for limited resources. Hindered by a lack of understanding and harmony, they fought over these resources, time and again, for centuries. Eventually, the various nations of this world found themselves thriving in a technological golden age, and as they continued to ascend to greater heights, they gradually became unified. Finally, they had forged a lasting peace.
To commemorate this achievement, the best and brightest minds that this world had to offer came together from all over the globe in one momentous effort: an attempt to uncover the next stage of their evolution. An attempt to attain true perfection. However, no earthly thing can be perfect, and though it is unclear what, exactly, became of this arrogant endeavor, the world was quickly plunged into chaos. A great war, unlike any that had come before it, consumed all nations. During this time of strife, a mysterious plague crept across the lands, causing everyone that it touched to wither and die.
It was at this time that two creatures of myth, sisters, who had been content to observe these people for the entirety of their history, decided that they could no longer sit idly by. Using their own unique magical abilities, the siblings delved into the very fabric of reality and obtained the metaphysical blueprint for the concept of peace, manifesting it into physical form. By unleashing the power of this newly forged tool upon the world, they brought about a great change.
The lands were broken down and rearranged, and the taint of the strange plague was washed away completely. This world's people were changed as well, reformed into images of the beasts they had tamed and the myths they had created, as a means of escaping the plague's lingering effects. The ruins of this old civilization were buried deep beneath newly formed continents and newly molded oceans. All traces of the old world were sealed away, and their memory vanished. This civilization was given a second chance, a clean slate.
In the ages that followed, the inhabitants of this new world still explored, expanded, evolved, and invented, but the mysterious force of nature known as magic was commonplace, no longer existing as myth. This world would still have its fair share of hardships to endure, but the sisters hoped that history would not repeat itself. Unfortunately, the capacity for destruction, and the driving force behind it, the energy, still exists in this world, buried though it may have been. Energy can be neither created nor destroyed, merely changed, and some things in this world refuse to change.
***
Twilight Sparkle yawned deeply. "Let's see, now," she said. Using her magic, she levitated a quill inches above a stack of blank sheets of paper. She was sitting at her desk in the Ponyville library, where she lived, focused now on a task she had put off for quite some time.
"Addendum to Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide, by Twilight Sparkle'," she said as she began to write. "In recent years, far more information has become available regarding the fabled Elements of Harmony. I have decided to submit the knowledge that I have attained about them to the general public."
"The sixth Element, which was unknown until recently, is the Element of Magic. This was made apparent the moment the Elements were truly activated." She proceeded to recount the events surrounding the return of Nightmare Moon, her adventures with her friends in the Everfree Forest, the activation of the Elements of Harmony, and their use against both Nightmare Moon.
"The Elements of Harmony are, indeed, fueled by the friendships shared amongst those who wield them, but there is more to it than that. It is about friendships that are based on more than similarities in personality or overlapping interests. Indeed, the ponies who currently wield the Elements of Harmony are all vastly different from one another."
She continued writing about the encounter with Discord, and how the alterations he had made to each of their personalities prevented the Elements from working. How it wasn't until she was able to remind each of her friends who they truly were that they were able to defeat him.
"However, this does not mean that simply setting our differences aside is enough. True harmony, as I have come to understand it, is based upon finding common ground with those who are different. It is based upon a celebration of the things that make each of us unique, on compromise, and on the willingness to learn new things from one another. It is based upon a true, unconditional love and respect for one's fellow ponies."
Twilight set the quill down on her desk. "Not bad for a first draft!" The library's front door swung open.
"Howdy, Twilight!" Applejack said loudly. "Was wonderin' if I could have a moment of your time."
"Of course! What's up, Applejack?" Twilight asked, turning her attention away from her work.
"We just finished harvestin' the latest crop of Zap Apples back at the farm. Got a letter from Princess Cadence herself this mornin'!" She reached into her saddle bag and produced the letter. "She ordered several dozen crates of 'em, on behalf of the Crystal Empire."
"Well, I did sort of talk them up the last time she and I spoke," Twilight replied with a blush.
"Then I got you to thank for advertisin'!" Applejack smiled widely. "Anyway, I'm handlin' the delivery personally, hoppin' a train tomorrow mornin'. Cadence wanted you to come, too!"
"A trip to the Crystal Empire? Without having to stop an ancient evil dictator or charm the Equestria Games Inspector? Sounds great!" Twilight replied. "Spike can watch the library for a few days."
"Then it's settled," Applejack said, "tomorrow we leave for the Crystal Empire!"
Twilight smiled and called out, "Spike! Did you hear that!"
"Yeah, yeah..." the baby dragon replied as he waddled down the stairs. "You get to go to the Crystal Empire again, and I'm not invited, again."
"Shucks, I'm awful sorry, Spike," Applejack said. "If it's any consolation, Cadence didn't invite none of the others, neither."
"Look, it's fine." Spike waved his hand dismissively. "Bring me back a souvenir, maybe a few gems, and we'll call it even."
***
"I can't remember the last time you weren't late for our weekly get-together," Fluttershy said, noting Rarity's atypical punctuality as she joined her in the waiting room of the spa.
Rarity had visible bags beneath her eyes. She sighed loudly and said, "Yes, well, I usually have to tear myself away from my work. But, this morning I couldn't wait to get away from the shop for a few hours."
Fluttershy frowned. "Is something the matter?" Rarity shrugged as they entered the sauna.
"I've just been rather on edge these past few days," she replied, as they seated themselves on the wooden bench within the heated chamber. "With the Gala coming up, I've been working myself to the bone trying to meet all of my dress orders. I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep in two days!"
"It sounds like you really needed this, then," Fluttershy said with a nod.
Rarity stretched out across the sauna's bench, her stiff joints popping one by one. "More than you know, darling. My exhaustion started to get the better of me last night. I think I may have had a slight breakdown."
Fluttershy held her hoof to her mouth, eyes widened in concern. "Breakdown?"
"I was overcome with the absolute worst sensation of paranoia," Rarity said, "and I kept feeling as though I were being watched. I know that I wasn't, of course, because I couldn't stop looking out my windows."
"Goodness!" Fluttershy said. "Well, I think you should take the day off and get some rest after we're done here."
"I wish I could, but this is about the only distraction I can afford today," Rarity replied, shifting in her seat.
Fluttershy lowered her brow and narrowed her gaze at her friend. "Your work will suffer if you aren't at your best, Rarity."
"I suppose you're right, as usual." Rarity smiled. "I need to rest for a few hours in order to be more productive later!" Fluttershy nodded. The rest of the visit was spent catching Rarity up on all the latest gossip she had missed.
***
"Mornin' Pinks," Rainbow Dash said as she entered Sugarcube Corner.
Pinkie Pie smiled widely from behind the counter. "Hiya, Dashie!" She said. "You're up really early. What'll it be today?"
"Nothing right now, I'm actually here to invite you on a trip," Rainbow Dash replied.
Pinkie placed her hooves on the counter and leaned in. "A trip?"
Rainbow Dash rested her elbow on the surface and nodded. "Yeah, I'm leaving tonight for Las Pegasus, gonna spend a few days there."
"I've always wanted to go there!" Pinkie exclaimed, hopping a few inches off of the ground.
Rainbow raised her hoof and said, "There's a catch, though."
Pinkie tilted her head. "Hm?"
"We'll be spending the trip with Gilda."
Pinkie frowned. "I dunno, Dashie, she was a total meanie when she was here."
"I know," Rainbow said with a sigh, "but she sent me this really long letter, see? She actually wrote it to both of us." She placed a piece of paper on the countertop and slid it toward Pinkie. Pinkie Pie silently read the hastily scribbled apology letter:
"To Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie,
A lot's changed in the last couple years. You look back at the griffon you used to be, things you did, you start to realize how badly you messed up. Dash, I'm sorry I walked out on you like that. I'm sorry I was mean to your friends. I'm sorry I tried to make you choose between me and them. And Pinkie, I'm sorry for all the things I said to you. I'm sorry I didn't give you and your friends a chance, and I'm sorry I bailed on that awesome party you threw for me. If you can forgive me, I'd like to make it up to both of you. A trip to Las Pegasus. We'll see the sights, we'll hit up the casinos, eat at some awesome restaurants, stay at a nice hotel, all on me (I got myself a new job that pays great). Totally up to you, but I hope you give me a chance.
Looking forward to it,
-G"
"Wow," Pinkie said as she read the message over a second time. A warm little smile crept across her face.
"I guess she's had a lot of time to think about it." Rainbow Dash smiled too. "She wants to make things right with us, so why not give her a chance?"
"Well, when you put it that way," Pinkie said, carefully tapping her hoof against her chin, "Viva Las Pegasus!"
They bumped hooves. "Right on!" Rainbow said.
And so the two agreed to pack their bags and head out that afternoon. Twilight and Applejack prepared for their own trip, as well. Rarity took Fluttershy's advice and spent the rest of the day getting some much needed rest. Fluttershy tended to her animal friends at her cottage on the edge of the Everfree Forest. Periodically, she felt compelled to set her gaze upon the tree-line, and she would shudder whenever she did.
***
A lone traveler cautiously made his way through the Everfree Forest under the cover of darkness. It was an unusually calm night, given the dangers that such a place normally presented, and he was able to make it to the old castle ruins ahead of schedule and without incident. Clarion Call entered the chamber where the Elements of Harmony had once been hidden away, within the ancient Castle of the Two Sisters. He lowered his hood, his horn ignited, and a sterile white aura illuminated the dark room.
He lowered his head and pointed his horn at the floor, a beam of energy extending from the magical appendage and hitting the stone, forming a large mass of light. It hovered inches from the ground. He repeated this process two times more, erecting these manifestations so that they faced one another, and him. As their forms began to stabilize, they adapted the properties of windows, and in each panel, a silhouetted appeared.
"Communication established," Clarion said. "Verify your identities."
From one of the windows, a feminine voice responded. "Must we do this every time? You already know who we are."
"The protocol was decided a long time ago. When discussing sensitive material, you can't be too careful," another, masculine voice replied.
"And we have this argument every time we have one of these little chats," said the third participant, in a very gruff voice, "so can y'all just skip it so we can get down to business?"
"For pony's sake!" Clarion shouted. He was beginning to sweat. "Would you idiots just identify yourselves already? I mean seriously, those windows I made for you don't just sit there, y'know? I have to actively maintain them, and it's a pain in the butt, so quit it!"
"Your lack of respect never ceases to amuse me," the second voice said. "Very well, let's all identify ourselves for the glorified telephone operator."
"Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, making contact from the Great Hive."
"J'aggerdov, King of the Griffons, making contact from the Griffon Kingdom."
"Mahugpin, Alpha Male of the Diamond Dogs, makin' contact from the Big Deep!"
"And I'm Clarion Call, your moderator for another edition of 'Let's Take Over Equestria', a show with an admittedly small viewership, but one that everypony will be talking about soon enough!"
"Makin' contact from?" Mahugpin said.
"Oh yeah, heh." He grinned. "Making contact from the Everfree Forest."
"And you're positive that nobody followed you?" J'aggerdov asked.
"C'mon," Clarion said, rolling his eyes, "how long have we known each other, Jagged Beak? Give me some credit, here!"
"Call me that one more time, and when next we meet, I'm going to maul you."
Clarion smirked. "Right, sorry, Jaggerdov.
"I cannot help but notice that our fourth is not here," Chrysalis said.
"Yeah, he's off taking care of some other junk," Clarion replied. "Spent the last couple of nights checking up on our targets one last time."
"Fine by me," Mahugpin said. "Guy creeps me out anyway."
"Those eyes of his do tend to make one feel uneasy, don't they? Especially in the dark," J'aggerdov said.
"And that smile of his, those teeth..." Chrysalis shuddered.
"Guys!" Clarion shouted, laughing softly. "I'm friggin' exhausted over here! Can we move this along?!"
"I suppose we can overlook his absence," J'aggerdov said. "After bringing the three of us together and coming up with our wonderful plan, I'd say he's earned a little personal time."
"Fantastic," Clarion said. He then turned his attention to Chrysalis' window. "How are things on your end, Queenie?"
"My spies are moving into position," Chrysalis said. "The targets will be acquired tomorrow."
Clarion Call turned to Mahugpin's window. "Big Dog?"
"I got a pack of our outcasts who had set up shop in Equestria to help out with our catch. They ain't too bright, but they'll get it done."
The unicorn swiveled his head dramatically toward the final window. "Jaggerdov?"
"Regarding my targets, one of our exiles was recently reacquired and repurposed to that particular task. She'll have them in custody by the end of the day tomorrow."
"Good news all around!" Clarion said with a wave of his hoof. "Whelp, I'm gonna shut down this meeting of the talking heads and go pass out. Have a good night!" Before any of the three could respond, the windows vanished, and the room grew dark.
"I totally know you're here, by the way," he said. "I get why you didn't wanna talk this time, it's a good idea to see what they say about you behind your back, but please, if you're planning to just sneak up behind me or something, don't, okay? Your face still freaks me out if I don't see you coming. No offense!"
"Sounds like everything's on schedule," a deep voice said in reply. It reverberated through the stone chamber, its source marked by a pair of glowing, featureless eyes floating high above the ground, the rough outline of a tall, bipedal figure behind them.
"Looks like it," Clarion said. The glowing eyes dimly illuminated a newly formed grin, filled with an array of misshapen and unaligned teeth.
The unicorn grimaced and said, "They're probably gonna turn on each other once the dust settles and it's time to divvy up the country. You know that, right boss?"
"It doesn't matter."
Clarion Call shrugged. "If you say so. You ready to jump?"
"Yes."
"Then off we go!" Clarion declared as his horn flared up again. The room was illuminated a final time, and then it was empty.