//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Practicing for Discord and Chrysalis // Story: The Elements of Earth // by Tyler-the-Brony //------------------------------// Princess Celestia had sent the letter approximately a week and half ago. She had asked Twilight Sparkle to gather her friends, the other Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and meet her outside Ponyville to practice wielding the power of the Elements easier. When Twilight chose to ask Princess Celestia why she had so suddenly asked them to practice with the Elements, she had responded by saying that although Discord and Chrysalis were defeated for the moment, they would not stay that way forever. It was for that reason that Princess Celestia gathered the current wielders of the Elements and her sister Princess Luna outside of Ponyville. She knew that Twilight and her friends were powerful with the Elements, but that they could become more so. Millennia ago, before the first appearance of Nightmare Moon, Celestia and Luna had wielded the Elements themselves. Neither of them had the personal affinity that each of the current Bearers had for their respective Elements, but they had been able to access the Elements power easier than them. Princess Celestia looked over at the ponies in front of her, each of them bright and attentive to whatever it was she would say. There was the purple unicorn Twilight Sparkle, the user of the Element of Magic and her personal protégée. There was also another unicorn by the name of Rarity there. It was her duty to wield the Element of Generosity. She also ran a boutique out of Ponyville. Next to them was Pinkie Pie, a pink earth pony. She represented the Element of Laughter as well as assisted at the local sweets shop. Then there was the yellow Pegasus, Fluttershy. She was Ponyville’s resident veterinarian, as well as being responsible for the Element of Kindness. Next to Fluttershy was another Pegasus by the name of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash represented the Element of Loyalty and was an ever hopeful to join the Wonderbolts. The last of the current Bearers was an earth pony named Applejack. Applejack was the one who best exemplified the Element of Honesty. She also worked her family’s apple farm in Ponyville. Although Celestia only knew Twilight Sparkle exceedingly well, she felt connections from all the other Bearers as well. Perhaps this was what happened when two generations of Bearers came into close contact with one another. Celestia decided to speak up as she finished surveying everypony. “Is everypony ready to begin you training session?” Celestia asked, waiting for the responses. “Of course Princess.” Twilight replied. “I’m super-duper uber ready!” sprang Pinkie Pie. “I’m ready too Princess.” Applejack spoke. “I-I guess.” Fluttershy almost whispered. “Bring it on Princess!” Rainbow Dash chided. “I am most certainly prepared Princess.” Rarity finished. “Excellent. Now, as the Elements only work together, you will be practicing all together in this area. Luna will especially supervise Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. I will especially watch over Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and Fluttershy.” Celestia stated, waiting for the inevitable question. “Why will you only watch over half of us each Princesses?” Twilight asked. Celestia turned to Luna, allowing her to answer in her stead. “Quite simple Twilight Sparkle. While the Elements of Harmony may be wielded by a solitary pony in times of dire need, like my sister did against Nightmare Moon in her first appearance, they always function better when wielded by multiple ponies. In times before I was Nightmare Moon, I would wield half the Elements and Celestia would wield the other half. I was responsible for the Elements of Laughter, Loyalty, and Honesty. Therefore, it makes the most sense that I watch over the respective new wielders of my old Elements.” Luna explained. “Exactly right. Thank you Luna. Now if you would please separate yourselves into your assigned groups, we may begin.” Celestia added. It took a few minutes to get the Bearers organized, having only functioned as a whole group or certain different pairs before now. Eventually, everypony was in proper order. Celestia supervised her half on one side of the large field they occupied while Luna took her half to the other side. “Excellent my little ponies. Now, as we are a certain distance away, the Elements won’t be able to fully react with one another. They are still within range to activate individually though. I will now teach you how to better react with your own Elements.” Celestia began. “Twilight, you are the Element of Magic. Thus, to better harmonize with your Element, simply think of the vast amount of magical power within you. Do not think of any one spell in particular. Just think of the power that fuels your spells.” Celestia explained, seeing Twilight nod, and then close her eyes to begin concentrating. “Rarity.” Celestia turned to her now, seeing Rarity immediately focus. “For your harmonizing, I would like you to imagine all the various acts of Generosity you have experienced. Like the dresses you designed for yourself and your friends for the Grand Galloping Gala or the lovely Fire Ruby you received from Spike. Simply let those memories and feelings and only those memories and feelings flow.” Celestia finished, glad to see Rarity also close her eyes and begin to focus. “And lastly, Fluttershy.” Celestia directed her voice to her now. “I would like you to focus on the feelings in your heart that you get from helping out your animal friends and your pony friends. Again, if you have any specific memories associated with those feelings, feel free to utilize them.” Celestia said, waiting for Fluttershy to begin too. Within a few moments, she too nodded and began to focus on her harmonization. Over on the other side of the field, Luna too was explaining the feeling of honing the Elements to her own group. “Are you all set?” Luna began, looking for nods from the ponies in front of her. Content when she saw all of them nod, she continued. “Pinkie Pie. You are the Element of Laughter. Visualize the sweet feeling you get from sharing in and spreading laughter amongst your friends. Use your memories too if they help you in visualizing.” Pinkie nodded at Luna, and then sat flat on her haunches and began to focus on remembering everything about laughter that she could. “Good. Next, Rainbow Dash.” Luna directed her voice at her next. “As the Element of Loyalty, you must never forget those important to you, unlike I did for a time. Visualize those whom you are loyal to, and how it feels. Let the feeling flow forth and you shall achieve a greater link with your Element.” Luna explained, feeling sad again as she remembered the feeling of her Elements rejecting her when she was Nightmare Moon. Rainbow trotted up to her, patted her on her shoulder and then smiled at her. She then set about laying down into a comfortable position to begin her training. “Excellent. Lastly, Applejack.” Luna continued, turning to face Applejack specifically. “The Element of Honesty. Your Element is one of the harder ones to train. The best advice I may offer in regards to your harmonizing training is simply to remember how it feels to always be yourself. How it feels to never deter yourself from anything or anypony. To present yourself just the way you are. Remember that always, and your Element will respond in kind.” Luna finished, looking at Applejack. Applejack nodded at her before shutting her eyes like all the others. Her part done, Luna took flight to meet her sister in the center of the field. She landed within moments. “How did your part go Luna?” Celestia asked her. “It was…different. Attempting to explain the feelings you need to fully utilize the Elements is…strange to me.” Luna replied. Celestia laughed, though not a mocking laugh. It was the laugh of one who understood you. “Oh Luna. You’ve always been like that. Coming right out and saying what’s on your mind. I wish I were as open as you. I am sure you did a fantastic job in your explanations.” Celestia told her, coming down to nuzzle Luna slightly. As they finished their embrace, they felt a tingling in the air. As though the air itself were turning to electricity. Both Luna and Celestia looked up and over at each other students. “They are not activating the Elements are they sister? The Elements aren’t even capable of activating when separated this much are they?” Luna exclaimed, worried as she was unsure what effect the Elements full power could rent when not specifically directed at something or somepony. “I’m not sure Luna. It certainly looks and feels as similar as it did when we wielded the Elements, but this is different. This is…far stronger magic than we ever wielded with them.” Celestia attempted to explain. Within a few moments, each of the Bearers became enveloped in light, blinding the regal sisters. When Celestia and Luna were each able to see again, the Bearers were gone, as were the Elements themselves. “The Elements possess the power to teleport? I knew not that they could do such a thing. How do we set about locating them wherever they may be sister?” Luna asked, already stretching her wings and preparing to take flight. “I’m…I’m afraid they are beyond our help Luna.” Celestia answered. Luna turned around, aghast at the tone her sister had taken. “What do you mean sister?” Luna asked, worried over the answer. “While the Sun is within the sky, I can sense all of our subjects, no matter where in Equestria they may be. But…I can no longer sense Twilight and her friends.” Celestia elaborated, dropping to her knees. “Does that mean…they are outside of Equestria?” Luna asked, now feeling tremendous worry herself. “No sister. I believe it means…they are outside our very world itself.” Celestia concluded.