//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: The Lost Spark 
// by SkyFlare 
//------------------------------//

“A unicorn is able to channel their internal magic through their horn, externalizing it. This results in their ability to cast the magical spells that the species is known for.” the earth pony muttered to himself, flipping frantically through the pages of his book. “A pegasus is able to externalize its internal magic in a different way. They, instead of casting spells, use their magic primarily in their bone structure. This results in decreased bone density giving them the ability to fly and to walk on clouds.”

Finally, the young stallion turned to a page that depicted a pony with neither a horn, nor wings. An earth pony, like himself. “Earth ponies externalize their magic through the connection with the land and their physical strength.”

As he finished reading the brief entry in the old book, he heard the sound of hooves trotting on the outside of his door. Seconds later, the door was propped open by a slightly older earth pony mare. Her once bright red mane and tail were beginning to get a touch of grey. Her blue eyes were as lively as ever though, contrasting the wrinkles that had started to form in her brown coat. An orange was emblazoned upon her flank, revealing her talent as an orange farmer.

“What are you still doing in here, Spark? You have work out in the farm that needs doing. If we don’t finish the harvest come winter, the entire community will have to survive on smaller rations.” the mare stated, glaring down at the stallion, who had quickly hidden the book he was reading under the sheets on his bed.

“I’m sorry Ma’am.” he quickly replied, hopping off of his bed. “I’ll get to it right now.”

The mare let out an agonized sigh before following the stallion outside into the fields of orange trees. There were only six ponies that were going to be working the fields that day, as opposed to the usual ten. The apple harvesters were not going to make the deadline without some additional help, and that help had to come from somewhere. The orange harvesters were going to have to make up for the lost farm hooves.

As Spark kicked an orange tree, shaking loose some of the fruit that the tree had been named for, he thought about what his family was supposed to do for winter preparations. He was the only earth pony born into a family of unicorns, so he had been made to help the other earth ponies during the harvests. The rest of his family used their magic to move the clouds and keep the weather manageable for the earth ponies to work. The lack of pegasi in the immediate area made that responsibility all the more important.

“Did you hear, Spark?” asked a female voice, “Mist said that he saw a unicorn riding into town from the east.”

“Sonnet?” Spark spun around to see his friend kick up one of the oranges that he’d just knocked out of the tree.

“I know how much you’d want to meet him, so how about we pay him a visit tonight?” the mare suggested.

“Yeah.” Spark replied quietly, wondering to himself what the pony could possibly want in such an insignificant settlement as that.

Sonnet smiled back at him before returning to work. They both would need to stay focused on the task at hoof if they were going to ensure the community would have enough food to make it through the winter. One day left for harvesting crops would make it slightly more challenging with the fewer hooves available.

The entirety of the work day, Spark was unable to tear his mind away from his own speculations on the identity of the mysterious unicorn. There were so many possibilities, and each one seemed more fantastical than the last. Before he knew it, it was already nightfall and the other ponies were retreating indoors to the subtle warmth of the fire that lit the guest house.

Spark looked cautiously around the fields for Sonnet. The darkened sky made it difficult to see his friend. After a few minutes of looking around, he was nearly ready to give up, thinking that she may have gone inside to warm up a bit before their trip. Just as he was about to start on his way back to the guest house, he felt something brush past his flank. With a bright red blush overtaking his face, he spun around to face Sonnet, who, just as quickly, planted a kiss on his cheek.

“I gotcha.” she smiled, playfully pushing him.

“You know I don’t like things to be around my flank.” Spark whispered quietly.

“You just haven’t found your talent yet. It’s hard to do in a place as small as this. I remember the day that I found out that I could sing, it happened so fast that I hadn’t even noticed my cutie mark until my dad told me.” Sonnet recounted her story that she’d told many times before. “I’d bet that it has something to do with magic, you might be the first earth pony in a hundred years to learn how to cast spells.”

Spark sighed, brushing a hoof through his mane. “I hope that you’re right.”

Sonnet pushed Spark forward, her smile almost seeming to shine in the darkness. “There’s no time to lose! What if he goes to bed early?”

Spark smirked and started a full gallop toward the only unoccupied house in the entire community, which now had a candle burning in a window. Through the curtains, Spark could see the silhouette of a unicorn and a floating book. Sonnet dashed past him as he slowed to try and think of how he was going to introduce himself. Before he got much time to think, Sonnet began pulling him along by his front right hoof.

“Say, ‘Hi, my name is Spark. Can you teach me magic?’” Sonnet said simply.

Spark grunted, “It isn’t that simple, I doubt that he’d even consider trying to teach an earth pony magic. It just sounds absurd.” Spark dragged his hooves along the ground, delaying their arrival at the doorstep, if only be a few seconds.

“I’m knocking on the door.” Sonnet stated, raising her hoof.

Just before her hoof made contact with the door, it slowly creaked open. Quiet hoofsteps could be heard from within, growing slightly louder as the pony approached the door. “Who’s there?” asked an old voice.

A pony arrived in the doorway. He stood a little taller than Spark, not including his horn. His grey coat stood in contrast with the blue cloak that was draped over his back. A white beard seemed to dominate his appearance, being both the first and last thing that Spark noticed.

Spark tried to speak, but was unable to even get out a legitimate syllable. Sonnet looked over at him, confused by his sudden increase in nervousness. He couldn’t wrap his head around how she didn’t recognize the pony who stood before them.

“Is there something that you want?” the stallion asked.

“My name Sonnet and this is my coltfriend, Spark. He wants to know if you can teach him about magic.” Sonnet explained, before looking back at Spark, “I’m not sure why he’s a wreck right now.”

“It’s Star Swirl!” Spark blurted out almost incoherently. “Star Swirl the Bearded, the most powerful unicorn in the world.”

“Most powerful might be an exaggeration.” Star Swirl commented, smiling softly. “However, if what she says is true, I would most certainly be willing to take on a willing apprentice, seeing as my most recent apprentices have moved on and have started their own journey.”

“I would be honored.” Spark stated, finally managing to catch his breath.

“Would you be all right with starting tomorrow?” Star Swirl asked. “If your marefriend wants to learn as well, I wouldn’t decline willing help.”

“I think that sounds fun. We’ve finished the harvest now, so there’s not much left to do.” Sonnet smiled happily.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly are you doing here?” Spark asked, looking up at the unicorn.

“It’s quite simple really; I have taken it upon myself to see how the lands are holding up after the defeat of the Draconequus.” Star Swirl began, reminding Spark of the previous couple years and how calm they had been, compared to every other year for as long as he could remember. His father had told him stories about how a powerful monster was creating chaos, and that the world had, at one time, been stable and relatively predictable. Spark had been having a hard time believing it, that was, until he’d heard from a traveler that the Sun and Moon had defeated Discord. “With the Lord of Chaos incased in stone, it will be up to the ponies to maintain the balance that the world needs. I’m just overseeing the restructuring of the nation.”

“Who’s the ‘Lord of Chaos’?” Sonnet asked, head perking up at the mention of something so different from the everyday conversations of the small community.

“He was a being whose sole purpose was to create chaos for this world. He was neither good, nor bad, simply determined.” Star Swirl explained. “However, as the hour grows late, I must return to my studies. I am nearing a breakthrough for a new spell that I have been developing for quite some time. I feel that it is nearing the final stages of testing.”

“What kind of spell, if you don’t mind me asking?” Spark asked, tilting his head curiously.

“I believe that, with the help of unicorn magic, it would be possible for a pony to instantaneously travel between multiple locations. Distance, supplies, and time would no longer pose a problem for ponies who could use the spell.” Star Swirl smiled. “Good night, my young ponies. I look forward to your company tomorrow.”

With that, Star Swirl the Bearded used his magic to gently close his door. Seconds later, the candle that had once lit the window was extinguished and the darkness of night overtook the world once more.

The two ponies stood outside, silently for a few moments before they began to head back to the guest house for the last night that it would be open that year. It was only used during the harvest season; during the remainder of the year, it was left unoccupied, receiving only minor check-ins to make sure that it wasn’t going to fall apart when anypony was inside.

“Thanks, now you’ve dragged me into your crazy plans.” Sonnet joked, pushing up against Spark before shivering. “It’s cold. Let’s go on back to the guest house.”

“I didn’t make you say yes, but I’d definitely appreciate the company.” Spark smiled back as he started to walk her back to the warmth of the fire that awaited them inside.

Thoughts of the possibilities rushed through Spark’s head. He was going to be helping the legendary Star Swirl the Bearded. This could be everything that he ever wanted. If anypony knew about the possibility of earth pony’s using magic, it would be Star Swirl. He was possibly even old enough to have seen the ancient days when it was possible.

There were legends that over a hundred years ago, there were earth ponies that were able to harness the elements in a more literal way, casting spells to bend earth, fire, air, and water to their will. While unicorns were mostly skilled at only more arcane magic, such as levitation and manipulating various things by controlling the space around them, while not actually interfering with the target of their attention itself.

“Tomorrow,” Spark whispered to himself as they neared the guest house, “everything will change.”