Elder

Finally, my first proper drawing after almost a year long break. Like always, this was drawn with water soluble color pencils (Caran d'Ache Supracolor Soft), and finished with white gel pen here and there.

Credits for the ponies goes to Lauren Faust, and Hasbro.

This one's the newest addition to the "Arcane Set". It's kind of a JRPG inspired alternate timeline, that I use as a source of inspiration for some of my drawings. Since some people have asked for a look into the lore of the timeline, I decided to oblige, and add a small story that sheds some light to the events that take place in the world.

I'm definitely not a writer myself, and this bit has been saved up on my cellphone for about two years, but at least now I have a good reason to put it up.

Read it if you are interested, but it's not like you need it to understand this picture.

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Only the rythmic sound of Twilight's hoofsteps echoed throughout the narrow spiraling starircase, which was leading her deep into the mountain under the Canterlot castle.

A green magelight was floating above her, and a levitation spell held an ancient tome in a firm grip. After the lengthy descend, the corridor leveled out, and Twilight saw a light at the end of it.

A magically lit chamber opened before her eyes, and she noticed a giant crystalline figure towering above her, causing her to take a quick step backwards. The creature looked like it was growing out of the wall itself, and seemed to radiate a dark aura, unlike anything Twilight had ever witnessed before.

From out of nowhere, Celestia appeared next to Twilight, startling her. "This is what I wanted to show you, arch mage Twilight." she said, and fixed her eyes on the strange giant. "We've come to call them the Elders. Not only are they older than me and my sister, but they also seem to predate Equestria itself. We've found only a dozen of them so far, but I know there to be more of them."

Twilight couldn't take her eyes off the giant, causing her to lose focus, and almost drop the precious tome she was levitating. "But what is it doing here under the castle? Why was it brought here of all places?" she spoke up.

She was startled again as her magelight suddenly went out, and a dark figure of an alicorn materialized beside her. "It was not brought here Twilight Sparkle." spoke Luna. "It has always been here. Canterlot was built on top of this chamber. It is almost like a prison where time itself has stopped."

Luna fixed her eyes on the monster, but kept her head turned towards Twilight. "It might surpirise you to hear this, but each of these strange beings actually bore an Element inside their hearts. But not just pieces of the Elements of Harmony. They could also harbor less desireable traits like Envy, and even Hatred." Luna fixed her eyes on Twilight once again. "This particular Elder bears the Element of Greed, but we have not harvested it yet. We simply do not have a suitable host for it. Besides, workings of the heart have served as excellent study material."

Twilight was still keeping her eyes on the monster. "But how exactly are they connected to the rampant Element? Isn't that the reason behind you summoning me to this place?

Luna started walking closer to the monster "Somepony, or something has managed to find and harvest a malicious Element from the remains of one of these Elders, and is using it to amplify their own desire for death and destruction."

"And the unrest that has fallen over Equestria, only makes it stronger. Even beyond the abilities of me and my sister." Said Celestia, with a desperate tone in her voice. She turned her head towards Twilight, and fought to keep her calm posture. "Now that the Element causing all this destruction has become an oversoul, we must seek out more Elements to battle it. There is no other way."

"But can't we just seek out the Elements of Harmony again?" Twilight asked. "That way we could just purge its hatred. I'm sure Rainbow Dash would be able to locate my frieds, since she delivers messages between the remaining cities and settlements."

Luna lowered her head a bit, and spoke up again. "While it is true that you are already able to summon a powerful oversoul with the aid of your friends, and are capable of triumphing over beings as powerful as Nightmare Moon and Discord. That rampaging Element is still far too powerful. Or unstable, to be more exact.

Luna then straightened her head, and tried to regain her royal posture. "When that rampaging Element finally grows too large, and collapses into a small Core, it can potentially be harnessed by the one who summoned it in the first place. Anypony wielding an element can be a threat, but one gaining the essence of an oversoul, is truly terrifying thought to behold."

At that moment, Celestia spoke up with a voice that seemed to restore Luna's wavering confidence. "Finding ponies capable of wielding Elements in a time like this, is much easier than what it is during times of peace. Despair and unrest brings forth the true nature of the ponies." Celestia then fixed her eyes on Twilight, and spoke with a soft and calm voice. "And if I am correct, you have already found one pony capable of wielding an Element. Am I correct?"

"You mean Trixie?" Twilight asked with a surprised look on her face, "Well, technically she holds an Element..." but her surprised expression soon turned into an apologetic, and embarrased one. "But she's kinda special."