Elements Of Discord

by Riften

The Element Of War Pt. 1

Time had passed. Equestria had recently recovered from the removal of its previous tyrant Discord. That day had marked a special occasion, It had been one year since the celestial sisters began rule over all of the land. It was also the day the calendar we are familiar with came into existence. The year was 1 A.D (1 After Discord). Under the sisters rule all of Equestria prospered, trouble with foreign species had all but ended. The conflict that had started under Discords rule, The Great Pony Griffon War, had come to an abrupt end. Peace reigned between the two lands and cultures began to merge, soon trade blossomed and an alliance quickly rose between the two country's. The day the treaty was signed by both Celestia and Luna along with the ruler of the griffon kingdom, High King Storm Wing, marked the 50th. year since the new rulers took over. It had been fifty years since Equestria had faced its last real threat. However the times of peace and prosperity were about to come to an end, for the first day of the 51st. year marked the rise of War.

Legends say that in ancient times there were four all powerful beings. They were the Four Horses of the Apocalypse. Among them was Famine, Plague, War, and Death. Each one of them ruled over parts of the known world. None of which could interfere with the events of the others. The one that was supposed to reside over Equestria was War. Long ago back when he still ruled the land was nothing more than a desolate wasteland. Fire ruled the land and anyponys that managed to survive on the surface were in constant war with eachother. The land remained that way for century's until finally one day it is speculated that the Celestial rulers, the ancient parents of our princess today, stepped down from the heavens and put an end to all four of monsters. However War was a stubborn one and was never truly was defeated like the rest of his brethren. Instead every few hundred years he would attempt to rise again, each time being struck back down by new celestial protectors. Every time he rose again his power lessened. Until some time around 500 B.D when all noticeable activity went dead. Some say that his power simply died off, others relate the close proximity between his fall and the rise of Discord, and other say that he is just waiting, lying dormant waiting for an opportunity to rise again. The latter claim was correct. On the first day of the new year a massive power was released, for over the past 500 years War had sat dormant regaining his power. However this time when he attacked he was faced with two competitively young rulers. It seemed all hope was lost, the two princesses were overpowered War had once again controlled the land. The princesses did not take this defeat lightly, they had exiled themselves in shame. But one good thing came out of their defeat because during their wanderings they stumbled upon six powerful artifacts. The Elements of Harmony. (For a more in depth explanation on their discovery please refer to the Equestrian History Vol. XXII The Elements of Harmony.) After their discovery the Princesses returned to their kingdom with their new weapons. Like most things that decide to invade War was arrogant, he underestimated the power of Elements and was thought to be completely destroyed during the battle. The only remaining visual representation of War is held in the Equestrian history museum. Other than that most of the general population remains unaware of the of the great power that once resided in these lands, but it is important to know these things for when we don't know our past how can we predict our future.

Twilight placed the book down on the table and shuddered. "Why didn't I know this already? I HAVE to ask the princess all about this tomorrow." Twilight rose from her living room couch with a yawn and ascended the library stairs to her bedroom for a good nights rest.

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, beams of light slowly crept their way through Twilights windows. When the light finally reached the sleeping mare face her eyes fluttered open greeting the morning. " Looks like yet another wonderful day 'ey Spike?" The only response was a deep snore, Twilight giggled to herself at the little dragon. She rose from her bed and trotted over to her cabinet and pulled out her quill and paper and wrote a quick note for Spike. Spike I've left for Canterlot on important businesses. I need you to take care of the library for today. I'll probably be back later today but if I'm not remember to lock up feed Owlicious. ~Twilight~ She place the note by the sleeping Spike and went downstairs. "Well Twilight looks like you've got quite a day planned out." She picked up a quick snack before she cast the teleportation spell to Canterlot. She popped up in front of the royal palace, the guard still wernt quite used to this yet and yelped when she materialized a few feet next to them. " NYGHH! Oh.....hey Twilight. Off to see the Princess today are we?" Twilight laughed to herself at the guards reaction. "Hehe, yeah. Mind opening the door for me? Still cant quite figure out how the palace magic locks work."The two guards shook their heads. "No problem Twilight, and I'd suggest you stop trying to figure these doors out. You remember what happened last time you did it wrong? "Twilight blushed and picked at the ground. "Yeah...I said I was sorry..."The guard on the left just laughed. "Haha no problem Twi, It's all in the past. Now stand back, let me open the door for you." The guard inserted his horn into the keyhole and with a little magic the door creaked open. Twilight trotted in thanking the guards as she entered. She walked for a moment before finally reaching the main chamber. As she entered she saw both sisters finishing the last of some early morning work. Twilight walked up as the last pony left the sisters. A smile crept up on the two's faces. "Ah, hello Twilight Sparkle. What brings you by this early?" Luna spoke next. " It great to see you again Twilight. It been quite awhile since we last spoke." Twilights face brightened up at their voices. "Well actually, I wanted to ask you two something. Last night I was reading a book and I came across something that caught my interest." The Lunar princesses smile faded away. "Oh Twilight, I forgot how much of a bookworm you are." Twilight shoot her a quick glance. "Quite sister, and what did you find that requires our attention my student?" The purple unicorn seemed to pull the book out of nowhere and flipped to the correct page. "It says a long time ago you two fought somepony named War. I read it but I thought it would be better to hear from you two." All traces of emotion drained from their faces. Celestia stuttered. "W-War?"