Many myths have a basis in truth. It is simply unknown how much is actually true. Three ponies want to help keep it that way.
As a certain purple alicorn would tell you, many myths and legends tend to have some basis in truth, whether factual or interpretive. Celestia has centuries, if not millennia, of experience to verify these. Daring Do has uncovered relics of ages thought lost to the sands of time. But the truth of some myths from the beginning of time are lost to all knowledge.
And they are happy for it to stay that way.
Three ponies who are those myths keep on their duty to the world
In the beginning, something happened. This must be true or there would be no beginning. Nopony knows what actually happened though. Throughout Equestria's history, there have been many myths of the creation of the world. None know which are true, for any evidence to verify them are lost to time.
One myth centers around The First Alicorn named Faust who created the world as a story and edits it still to this day. Other myths speak of a precursor race of bipedal beings like Minotaurs, but smaller, weaker, and more intelligent that died in a war of fire. Another speaks of The Song, a rhythm to the Aether that Unicorns draw their magic from, that created everything, but bad notes created strife and monsters.
A more obscure one centered around three creatures who worked together to create the world. First were the Titans. They were ponies that were bigger than mountains. They created the ground and oceans. They decided the world needed mountains and valleys, rivers and bogs, forests and deserts. The ground was shaped to their whim and made firm and fertile.
The Valkyre were the breath of the wind. All that was above the ground they set in motion. They gave the wind life, painted the sky blue, and decorated it with clouds. As a shining jewel, they created the Sun so everything could grow strong.
Finally, came the Shadows. They were not malevolent as most stories about shadows go. They saw what the Titans and Valkyre did and sought to aid their creation. They created the Night so the Sun could rest. They created the Stars and the Moon to bring beauty to an otherwise dark sky. They unleashed magic into the world that it could grow on its own.
The Titans, Valkyre, and Shadows looked upon it all and felt joy and pride at their efforts. However, they felt that to keep such beauty to themselves was a travesty. They decided to make the Pony race such that there would be others to enjoy the ground, Sun, and Moon. In doing so, they gave up important parts of themselves to the Ponies so they could enjoy the world and watch over it. The Titans gave their strength and connection to the land to the Earth Pony. The Valkyre gave their wings and mastery of the skies to the Pegasus. The Shadows took their magic and gave it the the Unicorn.
Content with all they had done, they left, never to show themselves again.
At least, that's how the story goes. As Twilight Sparkle had discovered, not only do myths and legends have some basis for their origin, they also have elements that are lost throughout time. Some of these facts can been verified by Princess Celestia, given her long life and centuries, if not millennia, of experience. Other ponies, like Daring Do, recover artifacts thought lost to time. But some information cannot be retrieved. Perhaps powerful magics can breach time to peer into the past, but they may have unforeseen consequences. There may be relics from ancient societies that will never be recovered, but they can tell nothing while lost. Even seemingly immortal creatures came after creation and could not tell the truth of it all.
For a Titan, a Valkerie, and a Shadow, they are happy for it to be that way.
"BIG MAC!" Applejack looked around for her older brother. Their last harvest had gone well and it would be some time before the next. They had a couple days to themselves, but as soon as she breathed a sigh of relief, her Cutie Mark started to glow. "Consarnit, where are you?! MAAAAAAAC!"
The large stallion that was the target of her search poked his head out of the barn. "Eeyup?"
"There you are! Mac, I have to git to the castle! Something funny's goin' on. I'll let y'all know what's up as soon as I can. Apple Bloom is out with her friends playing. I gotta run!" She jumped up and hugged him, before dashing off towards the giant crystal castle that made itself home in Ponyville.
As Big Mac watched her run off a fair distance, he turned his head back. "Well, we better get a move on ourselves." He exited the building and started walking towards the Everfree Forest. He didn't walk far before a grey pegasus landed on his head. In contrast to how most ponies would expect, she landed as light as a feather. "Derpy, please get off my head. It's cute and all, but we're risking discovery just being together."
The mare jumped off, did a backward somersault, and landed without even disturbing the leaves under her hooves. "I still don't see why I couldn't just fly out there to inspect it and be back."
"Because all three of us need to inspect this Tree of Harmony. We didn't create it, yet it seems to have quite an impact on the world. We need to know if it's a threat or a natural part of everything." The tone of Trixie's voice was full of disdain. Not for Derpy, but for what could be a true threat to everything. "By the way, now that we actually have a chance to talk, what is with your eyes?"
Derpy looked at her with her cocked eyes, which straightened out. "Oh, yeah. A few centuries back, I kept getting challenged to races and what not. A lot of fun. But one Unicorn noticed odd things about how I moved. He got too close. I made myself scarce and when I got reborn, I gave myself handicaps so others wouldn't challenge me. I'm not going to hide like SOME ponies."
Bic Mac just smiled.
"Fine, be all stoic and mysterious. Heh, I'm surprised you aren't more the playcolt with the ladies."
"You know that's not my style. It's the reason I prefer to be born into the Apple family. They've always been dedicated family ponies. I find that comforting. We tend to be welcoming but keep to our own. Unlike some flashy mares." He turned his head towards Trixie with a knowing smile. "The Ursa Minor was impressive, but the Alicorn Amulet? Why did you use that?"
Trixie turned her nose up. "It's all in the performance. Not to mention it was a win-win scenario. Her willingness to learn from others, the deception, the strategy? It was quite impressive on her part. Plus, it removes the Alicorn Amulet from circulation. If a Unicorn had gotten hold of that, it could have been bad. Ugh, Baltimare, 354 all over again." She shuddered at a memory that shouldn't have been.
Big Mac looked thoughtful before asking, "So you wanted to have her get rid of the amulet while testing her? Risky move, don't you think?"
Derpy flew in front of him and gave him an angry look. "Hey, that's not fair. We both knew what was coming. That Twilight could have been a real threat! The only one who could gauge how bad it could have been was a Shadow!" She slapped her hooves over he mouth as the last word slipped out of her mouth. "Sorry..."
Big Mac just smiled.
Trixie chuckled and pointed out, "I don't think we'll have too much to worry. As far as we've walked, I don't think there's anypony around to hear us." Sure enough, they were quite a distance into the Everfree Forest.
Trixie and Big Mac were laughing rather heartily as Derpy told her story. "And I say, 'I just don't know what went wrong!' I land one of my hooves in the right spot and make the whole cloud thunderburst!" All three were catching each other up on their current lives. Derpy was regaling them with her "clumsiness" when it came to town hall. "I swear, Rainbow Dash was almost positive I was doing it on purpose."
Big Mac chuckled and added, "I notice you left out the part where you broke the stage just by sitting on it!"
Trixie caught her breath for a moment and asked, "Wha... heh... what do you mean?"
"She conveniently left out the part when Dash told her to sit down, the stage under her broke and she fell through!" Trixie howled with laughter and collapsed on the ground, laughing herself silly. She pounded the ground with her hooves as she she tried to catch her breath.
Derpy just growled. "Yeah, well, at least I didn't drag a house because I was under the influence of a love potion!"
This got Trixie's attention. "Wait, what? A love potion?"
Big Mac grimaced. "Now that's not fair. First, it was a love poison, second I was tricked into drinking it, and third I wasn't the one who tied me to the house!"
Needless to say, Trixie would not be catching her breath for a while. Derpy capitalized on it, "Oh? Are you sure about that, shmoopy-doopy sweetie-weetie pony pie?"
Trixie gasped and tried get them to stop. "HA HA HA HA HA! OH SWEET PONY PRINCESS! HAHAHAHA STOP! I CAN'T... I CAN'T BREATHE! HAAAAAAAAAHAHA!" Her rolling around in the dirt did little to keep Derpy and Big Mac from laughing.
After a few minutes, Trixie finally got back on her hooves, dusted herself off, and cleared her throat. She was a tad flustered, but it had been a couple centuries since she last had a good laugh like that. "Oh, you two are a riot. I almost wish I could have grown up around you."
As they started walking again, Derpy chuckled, "Yeah, that would have been fun, but dangerous. Heck, the only reason Big Mac and I live in the same town is because I was assigned to Ponyville. I was supposed to go to Appleloosa, but they had problems out there and the mail office wouldn't be up for a few months. So rather than keep me waiting, they sent me to Ponyville."
Trixie looked at Bic Mac. "The Apples played a big part in Appleloosa being founded. Any idea for the delay?"
Big Mac sighed. "I blame Cousin Braeburn. The site they were supposed to go to, he called unfit. Said it wasn't fertile enough. They'd have to work it for a couple years before it was fit for any crop. It took them a couple more months to find a good spot. Of course, we know what happened there."
"Right, right, the Buffalo." Derpy scratched her head. "That doesn't make sense. That area was scouted. I know Apples are kinda conscientious about the land they use, but the scouts would know the difference between good soil and bad."
Trixie nodded. "They would. Of course, if somepony had come along and cast a spell that made the land less preferable, someone would notice and they'd move the site."
Big Mac and Derpy looked at her. Big Mac seemed almost angry, "You did WHAT!? That entire expedition was jeopardized by that! They were out there for weeks extra, made them run low on supplies! Do you know how many ponies you could have hurt?"
"Yes I do. Exactly none. Braeburn's talent is finding the right spots for growing. Not just plants, but anything. I made the soil a little less preferable, but it was enough to make him look elsewhere to set up Appleloosa. His instincts took him to just the right place."
"And that place was right in the middle of the Buffalo's stampeding grounds! Why? You risked a lot of good ponies."
"Because Celestia put him in charge." Derpy and Big Mac stopped in their tracks. She turned back with a sly smile. "Oh, you two didn't know? Celestia had him make the calls. She knew that wherever his instincts chose, it would be a great gain for all."
Derpy shook her head. "Wait wait wait, is this that... uh, whadya call it... precision thing you told me about a couple centuries ago?"
"Precognition, and yes. Celestia can tell the future. Think about it, we've all heard the stories. She's had Twilight in the right place at the right times. She sent her to Ponyville the day before Nightmare Moon, sent Twilight those letters before learning about her failure against Discord, even had her go up against Sombra. Sombra! I was afraid of Sombra when he was alive, let alone some specter. Everything she's done was to prepare Twilight for ascension. And still, she guides her."
Big Mac slowly spoke next. "Then why? Why would Celestia put Twilight through all that trouble? If Celestia knew these events were coming, why not handle them herself?"
Trixie was quiet before turning back to the path, a solemn look on her face. "Let's get to that tree. We have work to do."
The Tree of Harmony was a sight to behold. Scholars would study it incessantly. Artists would be inspired for centuries. All that was kept from happening because of its location: The Everfree Forest. It was the proverbial diamond in the rough.
To these three, however, it was something they knew nothing about. The Titans did not grow it. The Valkyre did not plant it. The Shadows did not conjure it. They knew nothing, not even if it was dangerous or not.
"So, why is it dangerous? Or why could it be?" Derpy asked.
Big Mac spoke slowly. "Those elements have been used as weapons. At least four times I can think of. No, five. Twice against Nightmare Moon, twice against Discord, and once against Tirek."
Trixie shook her head. "Make that 8. Once in a parallel world against one who stole the Element of Magic." Derpy and Big Mac were shocked! "In another parallel world, they were turned against Celestia herself."
Big Mac stopped her. "Wait a moment, only the Element of Magic was stolen, if'n I recall correctly. Applejack stayed here throughout that whole thing!"
"Twilight was able to call on their power from that world. I've seen the debriefings. She is the central nexus for their power and can channel it anywhere."
Derpy said, almost panicking, "So she attacked Celestia? Why?"
"Don't misunderstand me. They didn't attack her directly. They were used to fight off a parallel version of Celestia. But there were consequences that were unforeseen. To trap one Celestia, they would have to trap both of them. The Sombra from that world prevented it and turned the Elements on himself, allowing him to take all the evil." Trixie bowed her head, looking sad. "Broke the poor dear's heart. The pieces to that mirror were destroyed for all time."
Big Mac and Derpy just looked at each other. Derpy spoke up first, "I can't believe something like would... wait, why did it break her heart?"
"The Sombra from that world? He was a good king and they loved each other."
Everyone remained silent for a bit. Big Mac finally broke it, "Okay, that's seven. What was number eight?"
Trixie looked at the Elements and said, "Twilight. When she ascended, the Elements unloaded an unbearable amount of energy into her. Not quite as a weapon, per say, but any other pony? They would not survive the energy. I think it was because she is the Element of Magic that she was able to use the energy to ascend."
Big Mac looked at the tree. "Well, that's a heap of trouble." He planted his hooves on the ground. "You mind if I take a look first, it being a tree and all?" Trixie motioned for him to go ahead.
Titans did not just create the land, they were living embodiment of it. If anything, the land was the Titans' child. Being the last Titan, Big Mac could bond with the land like no pony could. His hooves turned to wood and rooted into the ground. His roots plowed the earth and coiled around the root of the tree. A look of shock suddenly came to his face as his roots retreated, leaving him like the pony he was known as. "It's not there."
Derpy and Trixie looked at each other. "What do you mean it's not there?" Derpy asked as if she had been told Rainbow Dash was slow. "It's right in front of us! You got rocks for brains or something?"
"You don't understand. I... I don't know how to explain it right. It's like... I mean, I can see it as a pony, but as a Titan? It's like there's a tree-shaped hole. Derpy, you try. Maybe the wind can tell you something?"
"Okay. Weird, but yeah. I'll see what I can do." Derpy faded as the entire area felt fresh, like a spring breeze that had just blown in.
The Valkyre were Wind, Storm, and Sun incarnate. This second aspect made itself known as the air took on a tingly feeling. She floated and caressed the tree. Nothing on the Tree of Harmony moved. She reappeared as if nothing happened. "Whoa! I see what you mean! That's way trippy. Seriously."
Trixie rubbed her chin. "Odd. Then why can we sense it as ponies?" She took off her signature hat and cloak. "Big Mac, be a dear and hold these for me please?" He took her possessions as she shifted.
Shadows were creature not of light or darkness, but both. The mare turned to a smoky, dark grey, and flooded the room. Everything seemed not darker, but clouded. It was if a pinch of color had been taken from everything. Everything, that is, except the tree. Suddenly, she was back. "This is disturbing. Thank you Mac, I'll... Take my hat off!"
Big Mac just smiled.
"Aw come on, it looks good on him! The Great and Powerful Big Mac!" teased Derpy.
Trixie just harumphed and levitated her hat and cloak back to her. "This is not the time to be fooling around. We need to decide what to do. This tree is not natural. We have no idea where it came from and no idea what it will do."
Derpy shook her head. "Yeah, for all we know, it could be big trouble. But then, it helped protect all the ponies, so it can't be that bad. What do you think Big Mac?"
Big Mac shook his head. "I have no clue whatsoever. We need more information, and we can't get any from this tree."
From behind them, a voice spoke gently, "Now what brings my father here with a Shadow and Valkyre?"
From behind them, a voice spoke gently, "Now what brings my father here with a Shadow and Valkyre?"
They were shocked. First, they had been discovered. They kept hidden because they did NOT want to influence the world, just protect. Second, the fact the word father was used had implications for Big Mac.
Trixie nervously asked, "Big Mac, is there something you should be telling Cheerilee?"
They turned around to see... "Miss Zecora?" Big Mac was a bit surprised. He knew she lived in the Everfree, but she wasn't near where they were going. "Uh, beggin' yer pardon, but you gave us quite a shock."
Derpy flew up to her, looked her over, and turned back to Big Mac. "Big Mac! You got some 'splainin' to do! You'd think you'd have mentioned this to somepony by now!"
Big Mac shook his head. "I think it's a joke, there's no way I could have a foal, let alone one who's at least as old as me. Miss Zecora, what's going on here?"
Zecora, who had a smirk this whole time, replied simply, "I refer not to your body's natural age but to the true fact that you are a wise, old sage." The three looked a little worried. "Oh please, do not fret about your secret. I say you not only created the Everfree, but much more importantly, you have created me."
Trixie stepped towards her. "OK, you are making it sound like you're a golem or some kind of construct, but I can tell you're a living, breathing creature. The titans never created life forms on their own."
Zecora kneeled down, getting comfortable. "Perhaps I should reveal the past before conclusions are made fast."
The Everfree Forest was one of many forests the Titans had created. They were imbued with life, almost to a mind of their own. They would grow and prosper as any plant would. The Everfree was no different.
Until Discord came along. He caused suffering and misery, because he believed that to be his nature. But he didn't stop with ponies, oh no. Animals too could fall prey to his magic, as could forests as well. It wasn't that he twisted the forest, but it responded to his magic in that way.
However, the ponies were more aware and did everything they could to resist. They sought some way to undo the damage Discord was inflicting on them and the world. They unleashed powerful spells, some of which, due to its proximity, was absorbed by the forest. Those spells held powerful emotions. Fear. Anger. Hate. Rage.
Hope.
Nature has a way of finding a balance. The disharmony that Discord was using was being fought with more disharmony. The Everfree took all of it, converted it, and did what a forest does best. It grew something. A tree of crystal with six gemstones, five encircling one. With it, it began to push back Discord's influence.
Then 2 Alicorns came and plucked the fruit from it, wielding them as a direct line against Discord. What would have taken the forest hundreds, if not thousands, of years, was done in moments. The forest, now awake, had come to worry about these ponies. Such sudden changes could be disastrous for all. But the old forest was already learning. With the plundervine seeds below and the ponies above, it decided to help create a fulcrum for balance.
It took many years before it was ready. All that was needed was the last touches. From everything it had learned, it decided that something that appeared as not-a-pony but pony-like should do nicely.
And so Zecora was born.
"Much like you, I have kept a secret. I have not revealed myself yet. And I call you father," pointing to Big Mac, "not to confuse but for the life in me you have infused. I am the spirit of the old Everfree. I am Zecora and I speak for the trees!"
Trixie stared at her with a deadpan look and said, "I write one foal's book a couple centuries ago and today it comes back to haunt me."
Derpy ignored her and asked, "So let me get this straight. The Tree of Harmony was made by the forest blending Pony Magic?"
Zecora nodded. "That was very correct to a certain extent. But it has changed even more than it ever was before. The ponies who wielded their jewel filled them with power, over-full."
Bic Mac shook his head. "That's why we can't sense it with our abilities, yet we can sense it as ponies. It's not made from our old magics, it's something completely new. Converted magics infused with magic belonging just to ponies."
Derpy smiled. "Well, I guess we have to trust them. Let's get back before it's too late. I'm happy to leave this here." Big Mac smiled and started walking. Trixie remained behind though. "Trixie! Come on! We can't dawdle here forever."
Trixie shook her head. "We have a different problem now." Derpy, Mac, and Zecora look surprised. "The tree's power is spreading. It's growing. It will eventually spread across the world." She turned back with a solemn look on her face. "It's feeding off negative emotions and converting it to... well, harmony."
Zecora turned her head, puzzled. "What is this objection you bring? You make it sound like a bad thing."
Derpy nodded. "Yeah, what she said. Anger and hate will be gobbled up and turned into friendship and love! What's so bad about that?"
Big Mac hung his head. "Water that is too cold or too hot can't sustain life." Derpy and Zecora looked at him wide-eyed. "If it's too cold, everything freezes, nothing moves. If it's too hot, everything just boils in it. The world needs both to keep things alive."
Zecora chuckled. "I understand your analogy, but there is something you do not see. Perhaps this will help your fears abate. With all your planted crops, why rotate?"
Big Mac thought for a moment. "Well, if you grow the same crop in the same place over and over, eventually, the ground ain't no good for those crops anymore. Rotating them keeps... Oh! Planting different crops help keeps the dirt healthier!"
Derpy look confused. "I don't get it. What does that have to do with the Tree of Harmony?"
"Well, Discord and the ponies back then sowed a lot of disharmony. I reckon the Tree was a response to clean it all up. I mean, the forest? It doesn't look very happy."
Trixie smiled. "I see! The Tree is intended just for the forest, not the world. Too much harmony would be its own form of disharmony, so it's only working on the disharmony sewn into the forest."
"That is exactly what I meant when those energies were well spent," said Zecora. She walked out of the cave and back towards the Everfree, followed by three who would keep her secret with theirs.
Derpy sat down and smiled. "It's nice to know this trip was for nothing. Better safe than sorry. And we found we have a new friend. Ain't that cool?"
Trixie chuckled as Big Mac said, "Eeyup. Now please get off my head."