Celestia slowly regained consciousness, being ushered back to life by a familiar sound. She could not feel anything, apart from the constant drumming of her heart. She carefully opened here eyes. What she saw, brought a chill to her body, she was looking out upon what used to be Equestria. What remained was nothing but smoking buildings. Celestia tried to climb to her feet, but a sharp pain in her left flank kept her grounded. She turned to look and saw a large gash in her leg, it was no longer bleeding, but was raw and whatever had harmed her had broken something. Beyond her left back hoof lay Luna, still unconscious.
After a few seconds she felt something touch her again, the same thing that had aroused her. She spun around to see Star Bolt's face directly in front of hers. His eyes were closed and his blue body was limp on her back. While Celestia was happy that he was here, and no longer stone, she was concerned for his safety.
Feeling began to come back to Celestia, her back felt fine, but everything on her left hind leg felt like it was on fire. She grimaced every time she moved. She leaned down and put her head on Star Bolt's chest, she could feel a heartbeat. She looked over to Luna, she could tell Luna was alive, her breathing was regular. She placed her head back down next to Star Bolt's ear.
"Come on, Wake up," she whispered into his ear. His ear twitched slightly, telling Celestia that he was at least semi-conscious. After a few moments, he began to stir. He lifted his head, and Celestia leaned down and nuzzled him to wake him faster. Star Bolt's eyes sprang open and his ears flared downward.
"Discord!" he yelled. His sudden outburst startled Celestia, who recoiled her head. Star Bolt noticed who he was looking at and his expression softened.
"Princess," he began, "Are you all right?"
He noticed that he was laying on top of her, and quickly scrambled to his feet. Celestia smiled at his prideful show.
"It's all right, but I may need some help." Celestia began to try to get to her hooves again, the pain had subsided slightly but any movement caused her injury to sting her. She managed to get to her feet, apart from the injury in her leg she felt fine. She tried to take a step towards Luna, but the pain in her leg made her fall back down. Star Bolt ran over to her and managed to catch her, Star Bolt became a support for her, letting her lean on him for balance.
Luna lay still on the ground. Her breathing seemed normal. Celestia leaned down to wake her, placing her mouth next to her ear and whispering "Wake up Luna."
Luna lay still, her ear didn't twitch, and her breathing remained constant. Celestia, with Star Bolt at her side, lay down next to her sister. She snuggled next to Luna, hoping to wake Luna with her touch. Star Bolt stood guard nearby, while Celestia tried to wake her sister.
Hours had passed, and Luna had yet to move. Celestia had begun to talk to Star Bolt.
"There is only one thing I know to do." Star Bolt began, "I remember reading about some magic stones, The Elements of Harmonics, or something like that."
"The Elements of Harmony are but an old mare's tale" Celestia stated, "Six gems encased with the magic that created the world. The power to destroy or create worlds. According to legend, they are housed separately, held in locations outside Equestria. Each guarded by an immortal being of great power and wisdom. Not really something a pony wants to go up against."
Star Bolt sat down next to Celestia, getting as close as he could without touching the injured leg. As they talked, Luna began to stir, she moved, but not enough to be noticed. She moaned quietly, Luna felt like she had just been slammed into a brick wall. She opened her dark blue eyes and found herself staring directly at a small spider.
Any other time Luna would have been calm, but not today. She screamed out, nearly causing Celestia to jump out of her skin. Star Bolt jumped up and and stood at the ready, prepared for an unseen assailant. Celestia was so startled that she couldn't move.
"GET THIS SPIDER AWAY FROM ME!" Luna burst out. Star Bolt, used to loud noises, sighed as he de-tensed himself and walked calmly over, picked the small spider up in his hoof, and placed it on a nearby tree. After a few moments, Celestia gathered herself and turned to Luna.
"Luna! keep your voice down. We don't know if Discord can hear us." she thought they were alone, but Luna's scream could have been heard for miles.
"I'm sorry, I do not know what came over me." Luna's apology satisfied Celestia, who relayed what she and Star Bolt had talked about.
"It seems quite an impossible task. 6 elements, all in unknown locations. Nopony know where they are."
"Not quite nopony, princess" a voice rang out, Star Bolt again jumped to his feet.
"Show Yourself!" he yelled into the darkness, a scowl crossing his face.
"Now now, Star Bolt, you wouldn't harm an old wizard would you?"
"Try me." Star Bolt's personality had completely changed, no longer was he the kind, gentle, royal guard, he became a intimidating presence, one even Celestia recoiled at. Celestia recognized the voice, but she couldn't quite put her hoof on it. She put her hoof up to calm down Star Bolt, "I know that voice."
"Fair enough, guard," the voice ignored, or didn't hear, Celestia's comment, "allow me to introduce myself. Hello everypony, my name is Star Swirl. I am a wizard of the old court."
Celestia knew where she recognized the voice from, it was from a magcording, he was ancient. He was at minimum five hundred years old. As he slowly walked from the shadows, the trio finally got a proper look at the wizard. He wore a blue robe, with stars placed on in the shape of the constellations. Also, a hat, a cross between a nightcap and a proper wizard hat. His had was also dark blue, with stars forming consolations on it. Five small metal bells hung from his hat, jingling as he walked. His coat was the a dark blue, only slightly lighter than Luna's. His mane a deep royal purple. His face was wrinkled and attached to his chin was a long white beard.
"Actually, I go by many names. I'm Star Swirl, or 'The Wizard', or 'Get Out Of My Lab', although strictly speaking, that last one is not a name," Luna smiled at his joke, while Celestia and Star Bolt remained deadpan.
"You speak of the elements of harmony, I'm afraid you wont find them here,"began the elder, "I have in my possession, well not on me, but at my cottage, the location of the six. They are riddles, readable only by ones who wish to use their power to create life."
At this he turned on his hoofs and walked into the darkness. Celestia looked at Star Bolt who in turn shrugged. We might as well go, what is the worst that could happen? Star Bolt thought to himself. Luna helped Celestia to her feet, her injury causing her even more pain. Star Bolt held Celestia up as the trio followed the wizard to his cottage, hoping for a miracle.