//------------------------------//
// Memories (Prt.2) Ch.20 
// Story: A Time Before 
// by Blue Turtle 
//------------------------------//

	Levier quickly walked quickly down the hallway. The had stopped setting again; Luna began to worry. The brief days of slight cool only gave up so much water.
This is one of those times I really wish Ventus was still alive... Levier thought with a huff.
Luna yawned and stepped out of bed. It had taken about three weeks for her to recover. The dull pain eventually went away after she began to eat and drink again. She shuddered remembering her own screams hurt her hears. She shook her head and looked out the window, hoping the sun had traveled west. But sadly it had not moved an inch. She frowned and stretched, her joints snapping awake. She quickly cleaned herself up and walked to meet with Levier. Soon Wind Song, Nebula, Lily and Spark Shower would meet up with them. Luna walked a few feet behind Levier, the brown and green kirin had a stoic face, no emotion. Luna held her determined gaze. As they walked, ponies bowed respectfully, Luna glanced at them but made sure she kept a good few feet behind Levier. If she got lost or ended up too far behind she may not be allowed into the archives. Dark secrets hid down there as well as cursed objects. Beings trapped within various items and statues were kept there. If Luna got lost down there she may end up doing even more harm than she'd done already. Levier knew this as well; seeing as she'd helped lock up the evil beings down there herself. She knew the names of countless beasts and demons, all vanquished by the power of Harmony. However the Elements of Harmony could only do so much; if a pony was too far gone then they could only seal the pony in stone. That's why Discord had been turned into stone but also why they had to seal Ventus in Tartarus. She let out a deep sigh and glanced behind herself. Luna kept up with her well enough.
"Luna don't touch anything while we're down there. Don't even get close to the statues." Levier said. Though she was worried ti did not show in her voice. The small blue alicorn nodded. She had a pretty good idea why not to. As they walked towards the catacombs Luna felt less and less confident the elements of Harmony could help her sister.At least without hurting her. What would Celestia be like hen she came back anyways? Would she be afraid? Would she be dead? After all it's not like she had eaten or anything. Everything burnt down around her after all. Luna didn't want to think that way but she did regardless. Levier knew Luna's mind wandered but did nothing to stop it. Luna would have to think on her own if she was to help her sister rule the country. Would Celestia be mad? What is the Elem ants didn't help her? Would she come back with a provenance from her stone prison? What is the Elements only weakened her and she attacked them? None of the had any fighting experience so they'd be utterly helpless. But Luna shook her head. No. The Elements could save her. She would be with her again. Celestia would be back. Levier stood in front of the large doors leading to the catacombs. A green aura surrounded it and the doors creaked open. Dust and heavy air fell out into the quiet room. The nervous atmosphere was broken by the sound of four ponies trotting towards them.
"So... we're really gonna go in there huh?" Lily said. For once she didn't seem as confident as she had been.
Wind Song looked like a deer whilst it was being hunted; Wide eyed in terror and extremely anxious. Nebula was clearly anxious. She paced around. Levier stood and looked towards them. Immediately they all stood up straight. She let out a sigh and began to speak.
"Do not wander off to anything while we're gone. Stay right behind me." Levier said. Her commanding tone said all it needed to; Don't wander off.
"Yes Ma'am" The four said in unison. Levier turned back and walked into the murky darkness. All five ponies followed behind her as the doors shut the last bits of light dispersed.
"Hey um... Levier uh we can't see..." Spark Shower let out slowly. Unbeknownst to him though the kirin had nodded and soon the torches along the wall had lit up. They walked further and further down, passing several doors along the way. Eventually they reached ground zero as it was called. It was a large corridor of hallways, room, and shelves and statues. They were all careful to not touch or disturb anything. Nebula had her guesses.
"So this is where they keep the cursed objects? Why would the Elements of Harmony be where so many evil beings could get them?" Nebula said. It seemed stupid to leave such powerful objects there. (It showed in her face)
"Ah you see the Elements of Harmony are not something just anypony can use. Only when the bearers of the Elements are in perfect harmony then they can be used. Let's say... All of the sudden Wind Song hated you guys. Then you couldn't use them." Levier explained. The icy tone had left her voice which made them feel a bit better. Wind Song's face blushed bright red.
"I-I would never do that!" She stuttered.
Levier chuckled.
"Hypothetically my dear." Levier said calmly.
"Oh..." Wind Song hung her bright red face as they walked but it slowly lifted up as the hallways they went through got smaller and smaller until they had to walk in single-file.
"It also helps that hallways are so small most of the evil creatures here couldn't squeeze through." Levier said brightly. Nebula blinked.
"Mmkay. I guess that makes sense..." Nebula was still a little unsure but her doubts were cast aside as the hallway opened up again to a giant door. The dark room held only and over turned table strangely enough.  On the large door was magic script.



When the Lever is pulled
And the Breeze sings it's songs,
The Stars move as they please,
And the Shower of Lighting comes,
Three elements have come,
When the flowers bloom,
and the Sun casts it's shadow upon the land,
And the Moon shuns it's darkness away
We shall rejoice,
For the elements have returned.




"Pretty.. cryptic..." Lily said. Nebula bit her lip.
"GOSH DANG IT KING NEBULIS AND QUEEN GALAXIA WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO CRYPTIC!" Nebula said. She walked over to the over turned table, stood it back up and over flipped it over. Spark Shower blinked. Nebula huffed while Levier face hoofed as Luna called it. Levier attempted to open the door but no such luck. Spark Shower ran and tried to kick it open but soon he just slid down the wall.
"What is made out of anyways?" Lily asked. Levier blinked and looked at Luna.
"Maybe only the Element of Magic can open it." Levier said as she looked directly into Luna's eyes. Luna nodded and her horn lit up. The blue aura formed around the door and attempted to pull it open. It started to move ever so slowly forwards. Beads of sweat formed on her face with all the effort it took to open the large door. The door opened, though it was surprising, cool air came out. The hot muggy air of the hallways had disappeared in an instant. With that the six slowly made their way into the room. Luna had a much better time closing it then opening the large door. Pedestals in the room held blue flames that gave off a calm yet eerie light. The circular room held more carvings in the walls. Telling the story of the days the Elements were used. In the center was an odd looking pedestal with long arms  holding up stone spheres. Each held the imprint of a gem on it. The arms held all the stone circles so they could be seen. They turned and twisted around one another is a chaotic manner. The alabaster walls often held golden ancient texts along the elegant support beams. Even the floor held and elaborate design. The five ponies were amazed at how well the room was for how long no pony checked on it. The kirin however smiled at them. But she looked longingly at the stone spheres.
"Those are the Elements of Harmony? Shouldn't they be less... heavy?" Nebula said as she lightly touched one. The ancient stone was smooth like a rock form a beach. But it held no magic in it. She barely felt anything coming form it.
"As of right now the Elements lie dormant. They will awakened by the spark of Friendship." Levier said, recalling Galaxia's words to her.
"What does that even mean?!" Lily asked impatiently. Levier ignored her completely and went straight towards Luna who was reading the walls with Spark Shower.
"Luna. I have one question." Levier asked.
"L-Like what?" Luna said as Levier peered into her eyes.
"What do you feel when you're around your friends?" Levier asked calmly.
"Didn't you already ask me this? I said I felt happy and excited..." Luna said then caught herself when the four looked at her.
"Now then. The largest sphere in the middle. I want you to put that feeling in it." Levier said as she pushed her towards it. Luna was scooted across the ground unwillingly.
"Wait what?" Luna tried to say form the green kirin impatiently nudged her upwards. Luna sighed knowing Levier wouldn't give her a break nor listen to her so she might as well go along it it. Not like pouring emotion into a stone circle would do anything right? Luna's horn lit up and she poured her will into it.  She could feel there was something in the stone sphere but not exactly what. Even in it's dormant state it felt powerful. She was surprised Nebula hadn't sensed it. The stone sphere rose up and spun around, getting faster and faster. Levier stood her ground even as the the sphere glowed brightly while the five ponies stayed low to the ground. In a flash of bright light it was over. Spark Shower blinked and glanced around. The room was fine, not even a scratch Nebula jumped and quickly looked around.
"Uh Wind Song since when were you wearing a necklace?" Lily asked as she rose to her hooves.
"I have a necklace?" Wind Song said confused. She looked down and saw some of the golden necklace. It wrapped around her neck loosely. IN the center of the necklace was a gem. It was in fact her cutie mark. The crystal balloon shimmered in the blue fire's light. Soon they examined their necklaces. Spark Shower's needle and thread, Nebula's scroll, Lily's was the candle's flame instead, but Luna did not actually have a necklace. It was a tiara, with a silver crest at the top. Luna blinked and looked up at it.
"Whoa..." Luna said. Wind Song hovered over her and tapped it. The silver crest glimmered at the crystal balloon, which glimmered itself a bit. Levier sighed in relief and looked proudly at the ponies.
"I suggest we head out. Celestia... or rather Radiant could be on the move as we speak." Levier said calmly.
Luna nodded quickly and with that the bearers ran out of the catacombs as quickly as they could. Levier however stood alone, behind in the chamber. her expression quickly faded into a somber, tired look.
"I can't keep fighting forever... but they need me..." Levier said to herself, she glanced at a statue of an alicorn. The large alicorn stood tall and proud. Most artists painted him as tall and proud, which he was, but Levier knew the humble, clumsier side of him. The one she'd met so many eons ago.


"Galaxia! Someone's crying over there!" A small dark colt said as he ran towards the forest. It dark purple mane did not flow like it would one day. No at this time he looked like a regular pony. Like many of the others actually. But the truth was he didn't remember who he was in the first place. Nebulis only knew his name and that his friend was Galaxia, a pegasus. Galaxia flew over. She had her own case of amnesia. Neither of them remembered who even made the stars. Or the sun and moon. The creamy colored pegasus hovered onto the ground. Her purple eyes stared into Nebulis. Though he was her friend he often got the two wanderers into to trouble.
"Nebulis I hate to break it to you but the pony herds are to the east this time of year. And the pegasi live in the mountains. Did you learn nothing from the unicorns?" Galaxia said, face hoofing as her youngest daughter would call it later on.
"I know.. but we gotta see who!" Nebulis said to the stubborn filly. Galaxia huffed.
"Fine but if it's a manticore I'm leaving you behind." Galaxia said. )Truth be told she wouldn't if there was) But they did not find a manticore, no something worse. A dead kirin. The earth kirin more perhaps. Under it's hoof was a smaller one. The large kirin's body was pale green was numerous other markings. It had antlers like a deer and looked a lot like one in fact. Except for it's tail which was more like a lion. The smaller kirin quivered under it's dead mother.
"Don't eat me..." It whispered. Nebulis stared at it. Not sure what to do.
"It's ok. We won't eat you. See? We're ponies juts like you!" Galaxia said, extending her wing. The small kirin did te same. It wobbly to up onto it's long legs.
"What are you doing out here anyways?" The small kirin asked.
"We're not sure really... we just woke up..." Nebulis said slowly. The kirin blinked.
"I guess I might as well join you two. Safety in numbers?" The kirin said in a shaky tone. Galaxia smiled brightly.
"Ok. I'm Galaxia and this is Nebulis!" Galaxia said, pulling Nebulis close to her. The lanky colt blushed brightly.
"I'm Levier." The kirin said, extending it's hoof. Galaxia and Nebulis shook it.
"I say we go find some fruit. I'm starving." Nebulis said. His stomach grumbled, agreeing with him. Galaxia giggled.
"Alright then." Levier smiled at them. She already liked the two wanderers...

As they walked away from the forest's entrance the  older kirin's body rose up. It became a part of the earth; Transforming onto a large proud tree. But with the young ones long gone they did not notice. But the kirin spirit left the world. Not sad that it had died but happy for it's daughter.



Levier sighed and touched the cold statue's hoof. The ancient stone felt so different from her friend. But she knew very well that the statue had not been what had become of her friend. No. Her friend had been sitting in Tartarus, waiting for the love of his life to carry him back into the world. Galaxia's own statue was just across from him. It was amazing to think at one time she didn't know who they were. Alicorns were such powerful beings she was surprised in all the years she'd known them  she never once knew they were alicorns. But she supposed in her young mind it never once clicked. Just across was the statue of Galaxia. The lean alicorn stood in a more open and comforting stance.  Levier could imagine it was a way of signifying Galaxia was like a mother to all. In truth she was.


Nebulis and Galaxia
Bearers of Magic
Givers of Life
Protects of Harmony
Sages of Truth
Creators of Stars


The list went on with names that had been given to them over the eons. In truth those names all fit them well. But to her.. to her they were more. They were her friends. She remember how happy she was to see them.. and how much she cared for them. But also how she failed to protect them. Nebulis was hurt. And she didn't do anything. Galaxia was frightened and once again she didn't do anything. She promised to protect their children and now one was going off to face the other! Despicable. Levier felt the warmth drip down her face and fall onto the cold floor. But she couldn't help but feel she was forgiven. How? because she was their friend. They knew she loved them and cared for them. It wasn't all her fault. It never was.


"Sometimes things happen and we cannot control them. However I am not saying we should ignore them. No. We must face them and try our hardest to prevent terrible events from happening. And we do fail and when we are afraid we must know that simply it happens. It is not some much as looking past things, more embracing them, and knowing that we will try again."