Prologue

“Something wicked this way comes…”

    “Are these it?”

    The stocky zebra stallion gave a curt nod, but his pride was unmistakable. With clear blue eyes, he tracked the other stallion with him. Celestia’s Sun beat down on the tent the pair conferred in, turning drab canvas into a golden orange and negating the need for any artificial light.

    “There should be one more,” the unicorn said with a frown, and shined his flashlight into each of the crystals, heedless of the fiery light filling the tent. The dull yellow glow of his horn was nearly lost in the sunlight as he repositioned the flashlight with his magic.

    The zebra frowned. “We found no more,” he said defensively.

    The pony sighed and shook out his silver streaked mane. His yellow coat was almost the same color as the sand beneath his hooves, making it easy to lose sight of the aging unicorn amidst the desert dunes they were camped upon.

    “Which one is missing, Professor?” the zebra asked in a much more gentle tone.

    “Would you believe I don’t know?” The pony gave a sardonic smile. “I swear to you, it’s like Luna herself cursed this expedition.”

    The zebra couldn’t help but laugh. “I would wager that Princess Celestia would curse this excursion before her sister,” he pointed out, dragging a hoof over his short trimmed mane. “Is it not her law that makes the very act of looking for these treasonous to her crown?”

    The pony answered with a grimace, “Yes, it is. She purged every written account from all public records. Worse, I had to be careful to ensure not a single mare or government agent was amongst the workers. Do you have any idea--”

    “I know as well as you do,” the zebra interrupted, nudging his friend with an easy smile. “I was with you for every step along this path. Let us not forget who had to face the current Caesar for permission to dig here.”

    The unicorn clapped a hoof over the zebra’s shoulder. “Indeed, my friend. Were it not for your years of service in his Guard, I doubt he’d even let you present my request. I can only credit our good fortune, and your smooth tongue, that we were allowed this opportunity.”

    “You give me too much credit, Professor,” the zebra nickered. “After all, your reputation for honoring zebra-kind’s traditions, even as you sift through our past, cleared much of the way. I dare say you should have been a zebra yourself. I’m sure I could find the appropriate dyes…”

    The unicorn laughed and gave the zebra a one legged hug before wandering back over to the table. A sigh parted his lips, “Still, to have come this close and come up short by one…”

    “Professor!!” a cry came from in camp. The zebra and unicorn met each other’s eyes with knowing fear.

    “She couldn’t--”

    “Let us not jump to conclusions, Professor. We do not yet know if there is cause for alarm,” the zebra answered, but worry darkened his features.

    The sandy colored unicorn pushed his way out of the tent, squinting against the blinding light that seemed to assault him from above and below at once. His eyes adjusted and the glowing sand of the Samaren Desert came into focus, followed shortly by the cloudless expanse of washed out blue that that served as the sky over this desolate land.

    “What is it?” the unicorn called to the young zebra that had raised the cry.

    “There, on the horizon!” he answered and pointed a hoof. The Professor felt his chest tighten as he turned to look, shielding his eyes with a foreleg against the early-afternoon sun. It took him but a moment to make out the chariot winging its way towards them. Upon it he could just make out the silhouette of a large regal pony, flanked by pegasi…

    “The Princess comes,” the zebra said softly from behind the Professor.

    “We need to hide the orbs,” the unicorn answered, panic seeping into his tone.

    “Neigh,” the zebra sighed. “If she is coming, then it is far too late for such subterfuge. We must shield the other workers from the consequences of our actions.”

    The Professor looked at his friend long and hard. He wanted to argue, but was met by the zebra’s unwavering gaze. Finally, he let out a long sigh and lowered his head. “You’re right. Let’s go meet Princess Celestia.”

    The chariot and its escort arrived in due time. The procession circled the encampment once before landing on a dune just outside the small collection of tents and overawed workers. When the chariot came to a halt, the two pegasi drawing it slipped out of their harnesses and joined their compatriots, who had flanked the chariot during the flight.

    The moment the Princess’ golden shod hooves touched the sand, everypony in camp bowed low. The quartet of royal guard fell into place around her with a ritualistic precision, their golden armour glinting dangerously in the blazing sunlight, as she strode forward to greet her subjects.

    “You may rise,” Celestia said. Her voice was filled with warmth… warmth different from that the workers had endured those past months in the desert. Every eye in the camp came to rest on the pure white coat of the Princess, her multi-hued mane fluttering in a breeze that ran counter to the wind that swept across the dunes. Golden shoes and tiara glinted brightly in the sun, as well as the heavy gold necklace/chest-piece adorned tastefully with gems. All of her accoutrements seemed horribly out of place in the scorching desert, but the Princess did not show even a hint of discomfort at the oppressive heat.

    “P-princess Celestia…” the Professor stammered and stepped forward to present himself, “I apologize for the lack of accommodations. We were not expecting somepony of your… stature to visit our little dig.”

    The Princess smiled gently as she looked down to the unicorn. “Professor… Relic was it?”

    The stallion’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why… yes! I’m surprised you remember me.”

    “I do my best not to forget my little ponies,” she noted with an almost mischievous grin. “I am, however, unfamiliar with your companion.”

    “Quagga, my Princess,” the zebra answered formally.

    “Well met, Quagga,” the Princess responded. “I do believe you both know why I am here.”

    The Professor swallowed visibly, and seemed on the verge of losing his nerve when the zebra braced him from the side. “Yes Princess, we suspect we know what the purpose of your visit is,” the zebra answered for his friend.

    “Then let us adjourn to your tent,” she ordered, her expression growing stern, “we have much to discuss.”

    “I-I want to be clear t-that these were purely my actions…  P-princess,” the Professor stammered, “the other workers here are innocent of breaking any… any laws.”

    The expression on the Princess’ face darkened. “We will discuss this away from prying eyes and ears,” she stated firmly. The Professor wisely kept his mouth shut as Celestia took the lead. The group headed towards the large tent the orbs were stored within, pausing just outside as the Princess issued commands to the pegasi following in her wake. “Commander Ironfeather? Secure this tent. Nopony is to enter or leave until I give my say so.”

    “Yes, Princess,” the lead guard answered with a salute. He immediately positioned two guards to the side of the tent flaps, while he and the remaining guard patrolled the perimeter of the tent. The unicorn glanced nervously to his companion, who in turn only nudged him towards the tent. Professor Relic followed behind the nearly glowing form of Princess Celestia, his head bowed with an air of certain doom.

    A gasp from the Princess brought his head back up, and he watched her eyes search over their find. “I suspected you might have found one…” she whispered breathlessly, “…but four? I am impressed, Professor.”

    The unicorn smiled weakly at the compliment, but pride was corrupted by the simple fact he would very much likely land in the royal dungeons for this discovery. Quagga paused a moment to close the tent flaps behind them, sealing the trio in the stuffy tent. Princess Celestia’s brief moment of surprise passed and her horn began to glow, a glow that the tent reflected.

    “We can speak in peace now,” the Princess said simply. “My spell will prevent any sound from leaving this tent.”

    “D-dare I ask why?” the Professor stammered.

    “So that I may pronounce judgment over you and your friend.”

    “He’s innocent!” the Professor cried suddenly, drawing a surprised look from the zebra. “He didn’t--!”

    “Spare me your hysterics, Professor,” Celestia’s voice dipped dangerously.

    “The Princess is correct, my friend,” Quagga inserted, “it does no good to hide my hoof in these events. Were it not obvious before, a simple inquiry to the Caesar would cement my role in this.”

    “But… but…” the unicorn stammered, looking back and forth between Goddess and zebra.

    “Professor… whatever shall I do with you,” Celestia sighed, sounding all the world like a long suffering mother contemplating a misbehaving foal.

    “I suspect that I will end up in the dungeons,” he answered pitifully.

    “Why did you do this?” she asked, reaching out to roll one of the orbs along the table with her hoof.

    “Balance,” he said softly, “there is no balance in Equestria. We are ruled by feminine powers. By you and your sister…”

    “You believe that we are a problem?” she asked, her tone inscrutable.

    “No Princess!” the unicorn cried. He paused to take a steadying breath, and carefully chose his next words. “There is a preponderance of the feminine in Equestria. I would surmise that the ‘Elements of Harmony’ are a predominantly feminine influence upon this land. The fact that the only historic examples of ponies to ever wield this power were exclusively mares seems to confirm this hypothesis. The current team, the team previous to them… and they were not the first wielders of this power, but every one of those is or was a mare. I found references to the elements as far back as the first written records, indicating that their influence has changed and evolved over the years. I found references to a ‘rainbow of power’ for instance, which I surmise to be an earlier incarnation of these elements. The events of Hearth’s Warming could possibly be related to the Elements. I even found references to them amidst ancient legends.

    “But buried amidst this research, I found references to indicate a second set of Elements existed at one time: The Elements of Justice. They represent a purely masculine influence, possibly one that could bring balance to Equestria and beyond.”

    Celestia considered these words solemnly for several moments before turning to the zebra. “And you? Why are you here?”

    “The Professor is my friend,” he answered simply. “I also believe he may be on to something. Among my kind, we have long held rumors similar to the elements the Professor has now found. There are whispered stories of an ancient magic, and of the six stallions that once wielded it. But among these legends lies the story of the destroyer, ‘he who must not be named’. With a body most profane, he was the very embodiment of the evils of this world. Our tales say that he was created through the corruption of these ancient powers. The Elements my friend has sought are most likely the artifacts of this ancient power, if not the source of power themselves. Thusly, these are items that must be protected. They may be as powerful as my friend hopes, but they are also dangerous. Care must be taken; if my friend can find them, then so can less upstanding stallions.”

    Celestia turned to look at the Professor again. “What did you make of this legend?”

    “Simply put, Princess, terrifying,” the unicorn sighed. “But research indicated some surprising results. During the time of this… villain’s existence, the data I’ve been able to unearth indicates that birth rates pony-wide equalized. For the only time in the existence of Equestria, the birth rates of male and female foals were roughly equal. Despite the horrors this Demon-stallion represented, Equestria saw a golden age of prosperity. This is not a defense of this monstrosity, and ending his reign was not just a good thing, but a victory for all that is right and good in the world. But I cannot ignore the fact that for a brief period of time, the masculine was equal to the feminine. I will admit concern that there may be an inherent conflict between the two, one that cannot be resolved. If so, then these elements will need to be destroyed, not just hidden. But if there is a chance, even a small one, that reintroducing these elements could be a positive influence upon Equestria…  then I have to try.”

    The Princess eyes carefully swept from unicorn to zebra and back. She watched each of them closely, weighing their words and their hearts. They had both been earnest and honest with her, of that she was sure. Finally, she allowed herself to relax, her magic softening from the harsh possibility of needing to… She shook her head and drove the thought from her mind. She would have done what was necessary, but they had proven to her it would not be required.

    “I have made my decision,” she stated, fixing them both under her harsh gaze. “You will both be accompanying me to Canterlot.”

    The unicorn sighed and nudged the zebra. “I hope the dungeons are more comfortable then this damnable desert…” he joked weakly.

    “At least it should not be as hot,” Quagga answered, but his gaze remained on Celestia. “However, I suspect we are not going to the dungeon.”

    The unicorn looked stricken. “Surely they wouldn’t go straight to an execution?!? There hasn’t been one of those for…!”

    Celestia couldn’t help herself, and covered her mouth to stifle a soft giggle. “No, you are not to be executed. You will both be placed in a very special sort of prison. From there, you will continue your research, with access to materials that no other pony has had access to for well over three millennia.”

    “See, a…” the unicorn moaned, then blinked owlishly as the news soaked in. “Wait, what?”

    The zebra raised an eyebrow. “We are not to be punished?”

    “You both will be… in a manner of speaking,” said Celestia, an impish smile crossing her features. “You both have done much, and succeeded fantastically. I seeded those very clues you both have found, and placed the laws to prevent those of weak moral conviction from pursuing. Individually, you only had half a picture, but together, you were able to piece those clues together to form a whole. As such, you will both be placed in a very special position. You will be privy to the truth, the real truth, behind the Elements of Justice and their creation.”

    “They do just ‘appear’ in the legends,” Quagga stated, then gave a slight grin at his friend’s wide eyes. It was slowly sinking into Professor Relic’s mind what the Princess had just said, and he was either on the verge of tears, a whirlwind celebration, or just collapsing in relief.

    “There is a reason for that,” she answered. She smiled down at the Professor and gave him a gentle nudge. “Are you alright, Professor?”

    “I…  I…” he stammered, “…I’m not being arrested?”

    “Officially you both are,” she stated simply, “but it will be a ruse, for now. Once back in Canterlot, you will both have access to the records to tell you everything about what you have been searching for. Records I have kept out of the public dissemination.”

    “B-but… why?” the unicorn cried.

    “They are a danger,” Quagga answered for the Princess.

    “Precisely,” Celestia sighed. “It is my belief that this world was created by the Elements of Harmony, thus their feminine influence is and integral part of Equestria. But in time I realized that there would be a severe population problem. I made a concerted effort to balance Equestria in the distant past. Eventually I realized that the magic needed for this undertaking was beyond my abilities, even as a Goddess. I set about a ritual in an attempt to create a magic so divine it would outshine even me. Those efforts lead me to create the elements you have found here, the Elements of Justice. I created six elements, only five of which have physical shells, with an unnamed element mirroring the same from the Elements of Harmony.”

    “If I may, Princess,” the unicorn interjected. “What were… are these new elements? I couldn’t find them by name.”

    Celestia smiled as she answered, “I created them as a reflection of the Elements of Harmony. Those elements, as you know, are: Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter, and Kindness. As such, I mirrored those elements into more masculine influences, with some assistance from a very ancient dragon and friend at the time. Thus they were: Courage, Discipline, Sacrifice, Wit, and Mercy. I invested much of my magic into their creation, and my friend eventually sacrificed himself in their final days. Styrex was a very powerful and ancient dragon, and he saw that my efforts would result in sacrificing my own life and divinity. To prevent this, he stepped in and sacrificed himself, giving all his life energy to the creation of the final element. Only the spark, just as one is required to activate the Elements of Harmony, would activate these Elements. Fortunately, they quickly found worthy stallions to wield them, and Equestria experienced a long period of peace and prosperity.

    “Then ‘It’ happened.”

    “It?” Quagga asked carefully.

    “Yes, it,” Celestia sighed. “These new Elements were created by me, not the power that had created the Elements of Harmony, but invested of my own divine influence and the essence of an old and wise dragon. The effort of their creation sent me into torpor for centuries, leaving many a pony to believe I had perished, and eventually I was forgotten as an old ponytale. Unfortunately, this group included my sister Luna, who went into hiding for the duration in her grief. The weakness of my elements was discovered during this time; they are relatively easy to corrupt. Do not misunderstand me, the Elements of Harmony can be corrupted as well, their bearers are only ponies after all. But my creations were more prone to such a fall...”

    “Do you know why that is?” the Professor asked breathlessly, in awe at the flood of information the Princess was giving them.

    “Yes,” she said softly, and drew a slow breath, “because I created them.

    “The Elements of Harmony were created by a divine force well beyond my comprehension, beyond even Discord’s comprehension, though he was wise to fear them. A Goddess, or perhaps even a God, that stands well above the sphere of my influence created these Elements. Or perhaps the Elements themselves are that power, I cannot know; it is beyond my ability to know. But I created the Elements of Justice, and I am not nearly as strong as that divine power. As such, my creations are more flawed, more susceptible to corruption. Thus, with the corrupted element of Sacrifice, the self proclaimed demon-God took possession of the remaining elements, and corrupted them as well. As I know from experience, even a God or Goddess cannot embody all the elements all the time, and that eventually led to his downfall. From these events I discovered my elements were dangerous and, upon recovering from my torpor, I hid them.

    But I knew they would still be needed sometime in the future. More, I found I was incapable of destroying them, so I could only surmise that they had some purpose I could not yet fathom. Thus I seeded a hoof-full of carefully crafted clues, some with the help of my sister, and watched and waited. This would allow me to test those stallions who sought out my elements. I would see who chased them, who desired power, and who had a pure heart and clear mind to resist the corruption that would tempt them the remainder of their lives.

    “Thus, here we are,” Celestia finished with a smile. “That is why I queried your reasons. My spell allowed me to know if you were speaking truth or not. If you were not, I was prepared to take action.”

    “If we had been…” the unicorn gasped, a hoof touching his throat.

    “Neither of you would have left this tent.”

    “One moment Princess,” the zebra gently interrupted, even as the Professor seemed about ready to faint from the revelation. “You said there were five elements with physical shells. The diggers were only able to find these four.”

    “I did intend to ask you about that,” Celestia said softly. “You are missing an element. They should have all been together… are you sure it was not missed?”

    “Positive,” the zebra answered, “I inspected the site personally. These were the only four amidst the ruins, and they were on the lowest floor of the crypt.”

    “Which one is missing?” Professor Relic recovered enough to ask.

    “Sacrifice,” Celestia answered, a shadow of worry crossing her face, “you are missing ‘his’ element, the Element of Sacrifice.”