//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Ancient // Story: Since the Dawn of Time // by Starlight Fire //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Ancient (I do not own My Little Pony. Please support the original series.) * * * * * * * * * "Um... I did?" Twilight said. "I'm the one who cast the spell, anyway..." "Dawn Twila, is that you? Are you there? Can you hear me?" Celestia was not as calm as she normally seemed. "...Celestia?" "I'm here too, Twila! Remember me?" Luna ventured. "Luna? How could I forget?" "Where are you, though?" "Wherever you are right now. I'm not sure where this is, but I assume you know. The pony that summoned me..." "Yes?" Twilight asked. She was a bit worried now. "You did well. What is your name?" "Twilight Sparkle." "..." There was silence for a moment. The voice spoke again. "My name is Dawn Twila. If you will shorten it, you should probably call me Dawn." Celestia spoke. "Didn't you always prefer Twila, though?" "I still do. But 'Twila' and 'Twilight' sound similar. That might get confusing." Everypony smiled. Luna shifted. "Umm..." "Such an interesting floor..." "I suppose my explanation on my current location may have been slightly cryptic. Would you like me to try again?" Luna nodded. "Yes, please." "Alright." Dawn paused. "Simply put, I am both here and not here." "That doesn't make any sense," Rainbow Dash muttered. Rarity jabbed her just above her wing. "What? It doesn't!" "Another thing you should all note: just as you cannot see me at present, I cannot see you. Who just spoke?" "I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest pony in all of Equestria!" Rarity jabbed Rainbow more forcefully this time. "What?!?" Dawn chuckled. "Well, Rainbow Dash, allow me to explain. I am here. I am speaking to you. Correct?" "Yeah..." "I am, however, unable to materialize. I am not physically here. Is that clearer?" "Well, yeah, I guess. Wait, so you're somewhere else? Like... like... what's it called?" "Long-distance communication?" Twilight deadpanned. "Yeah, that thing!" Twilight face-hoofed. Dawn sighed. "No. I am not just simply unable to materialize here, I cannot materialize at all. I have not had a physical form for over one thousand years. I would try to conjure some illusion to represent me, which would also function as a personal viewing device so I can see, but I cannot even do that anymore." Luna looked close to tears. "I'm so sorry... I didn't... I didn't mean to..." she sniffed. "Luna." Luna cringed. Dawn continued gently. "I realize how you felt. Yes, dwelling on those feelings did leave you vulnerable. Yes, you should have been more careful before getting yourself into something potentially dangerous. It probably wasn't the best idea to give yourself over to... that being. But she would not have left you with a choice. Had you resisted, she likely would have taken you by force or..." "Or?" "Please don't make me say it." Luna's mouth turned into a perfect 'O' shape. "Just know that I refuse to hold it against you. The ends probably don't justify the means, but you may have actually bought us just enough time to come out victorious. What's done is done. In light of what actually did and didn't happen, I would prefer to have you alive and well." Luna smiled slightly. "Thank you..." Celestia shifted. "What do we do, though? How long do we have before... it..." "What has been happening lately?" Dawn asked. Luna spoke first. "I lost control of the nightly flow of magic that affects ponies earlier this week. I have been unable to regain control." "I see. Just earlier this week?" "Yes." "What of Canterlot mountain?" Celestia spoke. "There was one tremor earlier this morning. That's all, though." "Is there anything else? Do you still have control of the sun?" Dawn asked. "Everything else seems normal." Celestia answered. "We still have time, then. Nopony panic." Everypony present breathed a sigh of relief, whether they knew what the Princess were referring to or not. "There were more sighs just now than ponies that have spoken. I believe introductions are in order." Everypony laughed. "Before we do, though, there's a question I want to ask you, Celestia." "Yes?" "It's about the Elements of Harmony. Do they have current wielders?" Celestia laughed. "I never truly believed I would see the day I would be one step ahead of you. Luna and I are here with all six of them. We have been this whole time. You were summoned by the wielder of Element of Magic." "..." "Dawn?" Celestia prodded. "The Element of Magic... do you mean The Spark? It's had several titles over the ages..." "Yes! That's me!" Twilight stated proudly, remembering her studies directly before coming to Ponyville. "I... hmm. I might not be able to materialize, but I think I may still be able to use my magic to get a better feel for all of you. It might be an odd experience, though, and I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. What you feel exactly depends on you; it's not something I can predict. Do you mind?" The Element Wielders looked at each other apprehensively. Twilight spoke first. "If the Princesses seem to trust you, I don't see any reason why I should be scared. I'll go first." "Right then." A soft, red glow appeared over by one of the bookshelves. One by one, the ponies took notice and turned towards it. "Dawn?" "Yes, Twilight?" "There's a reddish glow over by one of the bookshelves. Is that you?" "I would assume so. I have a terrible feel for space right now and have to rely on my magical senses. This is the best visual I can give right now, but at least it's something. Brace yourself, please." "Huh?" The misty glow suddenly sped towards Twilight, washed over her for a split second, and flashed once. Twilight whipped her head back and forth trying to figure out what was going on before she realized the mist was simply hovering next to her. "...That wasn't bad." Twilight said. "I'm glad to hear that. I understand now why you were able to summon me so easily." "Huh?" "...I'll explain later. I have a feeling I will be explaining much later. If you all wield an Element of Harmony, you will be needed soon, and I would prefer that you know exactly what you are in for," Dawn said. "I'm sorry if that sounds ominous. It probably does." "Quite," said Luna. Without warning, the glow whipped towards Rainbow Dash, who flapped her wings in panic. She was hovering about five feet beneath the ceiling when Dawn's glow had finished. Rainbow Dash simply sputtered. Twilight noted that the glow had flashed four times. "You certainly are quick," Dawn mused. "Heh... yeah... hoo." "You are a Pegasus?" "Yeah!" "I assume when you said you were the fastest pony in all of Equestria, you were referring to flight, then." "I... well..." "You never have beat me in the Runnin' o' the Leaves, there, sugarcube." Dawn's glow flashed again at the sound of Applejack's voice. "I wonder if it does that whenever she learns something," Twilight wondered. "...Fine. Yes. I was referring to flight," Rainbow Dash muttered. "From the feel of it, you should be proud of your abilities. You've broken the sound barrier?" Rainbow's head snapped up. "Yeah! Sonic Rainboom, that's me!" "I'd like to race you someday if I get the chance." Rainbow gained a huge smile. "What, you think you could keep up with me? You're on!" Dawn chuckled. Luna leaned over to Celestia and whispered "Uh-oh. That was her 'I know something you don't know' laugh." Celestia grinned. "I'd like to watch that race." The glow froze for a moment, and the Princesses waved. "...Did you just wave?" Dawn asked them. They nodded. "...Well. My magical senses are more intact than I thought they were. Either that, or they're coming back to me. Fascinating. Rainbow Dash." The cyan Pegasus looked at her. "You are also the Element of Loyalty, correct?" "Yup! No friend left behind!" There was a moment of quiet. "Hey, Twi'?" Rainbow asked. "Yes?" "I thought you said it wasn't so bad. The... whatever she just did." "It wasn't. It just felt like magic to me. Why?" "This is fascinating!" Twilight thought. "'Cuz I felt this huge whoosh of air when she did that." "That's a bad thing?" "Well... no..." Rainbow Dash stammered. "It was just... uh..." "Unexpected?" Dawn offered. "Yeah! Nothing I can't handle, though," she said, crossing her forelegs over her chest. Twilight smiled. "Dawn?" "Yes?" "Aren't there two other things you figured out as well?" Dawn hesitated. "Now how did you know that?" "Your glow flashes whenever you become aware of something or somepony you weren't aware of before." Dawn chuckled. "She wields The Spark and she's good at finding patterns. Excellent combination. Just like..." she trailed off. "Just like?" Twilight prodded. Dawn sighed. "An older memory of mine. Yes, there are two other ponies in here that I am now aware of." The glow moved towards Rarity. Rarity backed up a bit, and the glow stopped. It split into two, moved around Rarity in a double helix pattern, and flashed twice before coming back into its typical undefined shifting shape. Rainbow Dash, who had finally come back down to the floor, gaped. "Aww, that looked cool. How come you did a cool-looking thingy with her but just smacked into me like a cloud?" "It felt right," stated Dawn. "It felt like silk," said Rarity. "How did you know I was here? I mean, besides the obvious. What I mean is how did you find me? I don't believe I've spoken since you... arrived?" "No, your voice is new to me, but you did jab Rainbow Dash above her right wing twice." Rarity's jaw fell open. "I... my apologies. I tend to value proper decorum, and my dear friend Rainbow Dash," she said as she shot a brief glare at said pony, "was not showing it. I did not know if that was important to you or not and I did not want to offend you." "I appreciate your consideration. I can also tell you value that by the way you talk." Rarity blushed. "What is your name?" "Rarity." "Rarity. You are a Unicorn?" "Yes." "You also wield the Element of Generosity?" "Yes." "Is there anything else you would have me know about you? You said my magic felt like silk; that's a new one." "...I'm a fashion designer?" "She's quite good. She made us all dresses for the Grand Galloping Gala!" said Twilight. Rarity blushed more deeply. "Twilight... did you just say 'the Grand Galloping Gala?'" asked Dawn. "Yes, why?" "Celestia, you kept that awful tradition up all these years?" Everypony turned towards Celestia. "I..." she sighed. "It had become so ingrained in the minds of the nobles as something that must happen that I nearly had to." "I'm so sorry to hear that," said Dawn. Celestia smiled. "Still... those dresses were probably fabulous." "They were!" said Twilight. "She's still one question behind the flashes..." The glowing mist suddenly arched up and rained down on Applejack. "Whoa, nelly!" The glow flashed twice. "OK, she's discovered Applejack and probably figured out her Element; that would catch her up. What about Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy? They haven't said anything yet, although Pinkie looks like she's about to." Indeed, Pinkie was squirming fiercely. "Ah," said Dawn. "You are an Earth Pony." "Yes, ma'am," said Applejack. "Mah name's Applejack." "Applejack. You wield the Element of Honesty, correct?" "Eyup." "What else should I know about you?" "...Apples. I live 'n' work on a farm that grows mainly apples. I love mah apples. In case yer wonderin' yer magic or whatever kinda reminded me o' some smells on the farm that always remind me that Ah'm home." "I see." Pinkie could not take the anticipation anymore. "Pick me next! Oh! Oh! Pick me! Pick me!" Dawn's glow flashed once. Twilight noticed that although it had started out dimly, its brightness had increased. One still had to look carefully, but it was getting easier. "I wish I could study this more!" she thought. The glow moved towards Pinkie Pie rapidly and stopped immediately before reaching her. The bright pink pony was jumping in place. Suddenly, the glow exploded horizontally towards her. The explosion had the appearance of confetti. "WOOO-HHOOOO, that was fun! Do it again, do it again!" Pinkie was still hopping in place. "I..." Dawn sounded slightly winded. Her glow had flashed three times. "Are you always this energetic?" Everypony except Fluttershy laughed. "It looks like she's nervous about 'meeting' Dawn," Twilight thought. Fluttershy appeared to be trying to stay as quiet and still as possible where she had curled up on her cushion. "Yupperroonie!" said Pinkie Pie. "This is calm for her," Rainbow Dash deadpanned. "Abnormally calm," added Twilight. "Wow," said Dawn. "That is quite the achievement. What is your name?" "I'm Pinkie Pie!" "Pinkie Pie. You wield the Element of Laughter, there is no doubt about that." "Well, duh, I'm the one who throws all the parties around here, silly!" Rarity face-hoofed at this; Celestia and Luna smiled. "You are also an Earth Pony. ...Yes?" "Yuppers!" Dawn paused for a moment. Everypony looked over towards Fluttershy, who had her hooves over her head and was trembling slightly. "There's somepony I'm missing; I'm sure of it..." A moment passed. "...Kindness." Fluttershy eeped and the glow flashed once. "..." Dawn was quiet for a moment. Her glow went towards Fluttershy slowly until it was just before her. It was about one minute before Fluttershy became brave enough to take a peek. She saw the glow hovering in front of her gently. Everypony waited for either to make a move. To everypony's surprise, Fluttershy spoke first. "My... my name is... Fluttershy..." She had spoken with less and less volume as she continued. "It's nice to meet you, Fluttershy," Dawn said quietly. "Are you ready?" "I... yes..." The mist gently expanded and slowly traveled through Fluttershy's mane. It hung off to her left when it had finished. "That was... nice," said Fluttershy. "She's good," thought Twilight. The glow had shimmered twice. "Alright, so by process of elimination, I already knew you wielded the Element of Kindness. You are a Pegasus?" "Yes." "Is there anything else I should know?" "Why is she asking? She's one flash behind again!" "I... I'm good with animals," Fluttershy offered. "..." Dawn had paused again. "Is she being so careful because it's Fluttershy, or is there something else?" Twilight had so many questions... "There is something else I picked up that I have not seen in a very long time. Are you... how to put this? Has an animal ever been stubborn with you, and you found you were able to get it to do what you needed it to just by looking at it in a certain matter?" Rarity gasped. "Do you mean... The Stare?" "Is that what they're calling it these days?" Dawn asked. Fluttershy nodded. "And you are good at this?" Fluttershy nodded. "Well. That's a valuable skill." Fluttershy smiled. "Is there anyone I missed?" Dawn asked. "Well, Spike, my number-one assistant is upstairs. He's a bit tired at the moment, though," explained Twilight. "He's a dragon," said Applejack. "A dragon?" Dawn said quickly. Celestia and Luna looked at each other quickly. They still remembered that one incident back from when they were fillies, and they-- "Oh, he's just a baby," cooed Fluttershy. "Ah..." Dawn sounded relieved. "Can he still breathe fire?" Celestia spoke up again. "Ahh... yes. Yes, he can. Generally, it's magical fire that is capable of transmitting mail, but I believe it can act as regular fire as well." Twilight, remembering times when Spike had sneezed on books, nodded. "That may be good. If you Element Wielders need to go on the big adventure--" Rainbow Dash perked at this. "--that I think you will, somepony going to a certain location will need to take Spike along, especially if that somepony does not have a horn. The fire will be needed." "Wait a minute." Everypony turned to Twilight. "So what you're saying is that somepony is going to have a need for things to be--" Her horn flashed and a pair of sunglasses appeared on her face. "Those look familiar," thought Rainbow Dash. "--about 20% hotter?" "AWWWWWWWWWW YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Pinkie Pie yelled. Something finally clicked in Rainbow Dash's mind. "Hey!" she said. "Those are my shades!" Twilight Sparkle briefly stood on her hind legs and crossed her forelegs over her chest. "Deal with it," she said, barely able to keep a straight face. "You mad, Dashie?" asked Pinkie. She was bouncing all around Twilight. Rainbow Dash sped towards Twilight, stopped, and hovered directly in front of her. "Nice one. You're still an egghead, though. Can I have my shades back?" Twilight magically lifted the shades off of her face and floated them over to Rainbow Dash, who put them on top of her head. "How did you get these? I've been looking for them everywhere!" "You left them here the other day. I figured you'd get them before now. I just teleported them directly on to my face." "Twilight Sparkle." Everypony turned towards Celestia. "Have you been studying the internet?" Three full seconds of silence passed. Twilight looked left, then right, and, seeing everypony looking at her, faced Celestia, and let out a sheepish squee. Everypony laughed. "'Tia, I have always appreciated a good meme myself." "I know, so have I." "Wait a minute." Everyone turned towards Twilight. "How do you know that that's from the Internet, Princess Celestia? And Princess Luna! How do you know what a meme is?" Nopony else alive besides the ponies in that library could have honestly claimed to hear the two Princesses squee, much less squee sheepishly at the same time. (several minutes later when everyone managed to calm down a bit...) "Hooey..." said Applejack, still laughing. "That was funny." "Umm... could we perhaps start talking about what we originally going to? Oh, that is, umm... if none of you mind. It was just a tangent, that's all," Fluttershy said before eeping. "Indeed. I, for one, think that certain sections of the internet are most strange," said Rarity. "Dawn?" "Yes, Rarity." "Did you have any other questions?" "Not unless I missed meeting someone here." "Hoo." Twilight turned towards her pet Owl, Owlowiscious. "Hoo?" he said again. "Is that... is that an owl?" Dawn asked. "Yes!" said Twilight. "This is my pet owl, Owlowiscious." "Hoo?" "You," said Twilight. "Hoo?" Twilight just smiled. Dawn's mist went towards the owl. "He's. So. Cute..." "...She can magically sense cuteness? I have GOT to ask her some questions, someday!" "I've always loved owls. Most of them sound so peaceful. This one particularly." The mist came back over and settled on an empty cushion. "So, the introductions are complete, yes?" asked Dawn. "Yes, I believe that's everyone," said Twilight. "If that is so, I have a question. Celestia. Luna. I think I know the answer, but why exactly did you have me summoned?" "Well..." Luna began. Both were shifting uncomfortably. "I've never seen them like this before. It must be serious!" thought Twilight. "Um... well, the signs... and we didn't know what to do..." Celestia tried. "And I barely returned and already I've lost control of what I was supposed to guard..." said Luna. "And when we got to talking to the Element Wielders, they seemed to be experiencing symptoms of Ascendancy..." said Luna. Everypony who was not an Alicorn looked at each other with a panicked expression on their faces. "And we hadn't seen you in so long... we-- I never found out what happened to you..." Luna grimaced. "And we... we just..." Celestia's voice was cracking. "Shh. It's OK. I'm here now." Celestia and Luna looked up. "At least, I am in spirit." "But..." Luna was close to tears. "I... you..." "Ah, so you sense the difference, then?" Luna nodded. "I understand. How much of my past did I reveal to you two?" "As little as possible," said Celestia, who was wiping a tear from her eye with a hoof shod in gold. "You never wanted to talk about it. You always said that we should focus on the present and the better days ahead." "So I did. You... said something about Ascendancy. How many times have they wielded the Elements?" "At least twice now," said Celestia. "Once against Nightmare Moon, and once against Discord." Dawn's mist froze. "You six... faced Discord head-on... and lived to tell the tale?" They all nodded. "Well, no wonder. I'm surprised the symptoms haven't started before now. They were probably just triggered earlier this week." Celestia and Luna were looking towards Dawn intently, while the six good friends suddenly took a collective interest in the floor. "Everypony, if you are willing to stay and hear my tale, please make yourselves comfortable. This could take some time." "So it begins," thought Dawn. (To Be Continued...) Author's Notes: Hellooooooooo, everybody! I got on a roll today, apparently. This may have to last for awhile, though. Big stuff is happening this week. Namely, college homework. =P Ah well. We shall see, yes we shall... Extra special thanks to Glassed, my epic pre-reader. (If anyone else wants to try their hoof -- err... hand at this as well, let me know! EDIT: The Equestrian Gentlecolt is the proofreader, and he is good! Quality, ahoy!)