PART 1
"It always starts at the inn...
It was quite like any other night that you would have heard of, a dark tale always seems to start in a rural part of Equestria and always does it seem to be raining. Things were quite the same for our would be adventures, the cliche's of most stories seem to find their ways to all of those which are great. But please, take ear and listen ponies for this is not a tail of our utopian age, nor is it one of even Classic origins. I take you now to the time before the Lunar rebellion, before the elements of harmony were lost to us.
It is an age of darkness, a golden age ready to fall and buckle as if a pure whisper could crumble down the Empire that the Alicorn sisters worked so hard to create. However, our tail does not begin in the grand halls of the capital, nor that of a beautiful city of riches and society. No, our tale begins in a small Tavern on the far outskirts of a small town...
The great fire roared to life within the tavern, flicking it's licking tendril's up the brick chimney. Despite it's roar however the sound it made was all but dulled by the rowdy atmosphere that was the "Empty-Wagon" was all but subtle and anything but quiet. The small Tavern, not even able to be named a two-story complex housed nearly three dozen ponies and others alike, all of which were drinking and merry-making. Songs were sung, flanks were grabbed and the general sound of laughter could be heard at any moment; t'was a night obvious to remember.
Such was the case for a young long blue maned pegasi sitting at one of the tables. His coat was that platinum and his eyes gleaming that of azure as those orbs danced about the inn, looking, searching, or simply just being aware of his surroundings. Only a few years into his adulthood, this pegasi surly looked it, young, handsome, fine maned and perhaps something of high society and it was society and more 'civilized' places that his mind wondered to, instead of this loud-house.
He sighed and let his front shoulders droop slightly as he turned his neck to the side to gaze into his pouch; bread, papers, the holy symbol of Celestia and a small pouch of what seemed to be coin, hardly enough to purchase the things in which he desired. It was at this moment though that the voice of another close was heard and his night would change.
"Waitress! Waitress! C'mere!" The voice poured the words out from his maw from right beside the pegasi; the words coming from that of a dark leather-ed mule. The pegasi could not help but look upon such a odd figure; he certainly stood out. Dressed in dark fabric which seemed to protect his form and a adorning necklace with a small skull hanging from it, this cobalt colored mule was, odd, to say the very least. His mane and tail were that of the midnight sky, dark yet complimenting his own blue coat, both short, his mane barley taller than his own mule ears. Despite his rich cobalt coat and midnight mane and tail, the mule's eyes were simple, brown, though seemingly mysterious in their own right. On his flank was a small crossbow, a quiver full of bolts laying atop the mule's back.
In short moments a simple mare waitress approched the table. Her clothing was stained with previous attempts of bringing hard cider to the inhabitants of the inn and her make-up all but seemed smudged on; it had obviously been a long night for this one.
"Waitress, ah yes. Thank you!" the mule spoke up again before leaning in towards her from his side of the table. "Please, a round of hard cider for all of these brave militia here in the inn," he paused a moment, looking over to the young pegasi, "And a shot of the hardest thing ye' got for this fellow here," the mule obviously had not the faintest idea of what personal boundaries were as his hoof clopped hard on the blue manes shoulder, making the pegasi's chain-mail tunic sing with movement.
The pegasi simply stared a moment, his azure eyes blinking with a strange curiosity at this clop, it seemed that the waitress herself too was gazing upon this over-friendly gesture, the mule on the other hoof beaming a broad smile.
"You sure about that, Mon ami?" the waitress spoke out, a quirked brow over her gorgeous eyes and quirky grin; the mule could only help but nod furiously.
"Oh yes! Please, my treat to all!" he replied, the same enthusiastic voice beaming from his lips and not moments later turned his head, biting onto his coin purse and setting it down on the table with a loud thud. The pegasi seemed to sighed to himself, how jealous he was to see such coin before him; whatever this mule did certainly made the blue eyes pegasi wish he did the same.
The waitress grinned, digging her hoof into the purse and taking the appropriate amount of coin for the order, winking at the mule, surly she took her 'tip'. She turned her head to the inn speaking out loudly, "Listen up stallions and mares! This mule here just ordered a round for you all, best wishes to you all tomorrow!" she spoke out, the response from the inn much more roaring than it had before, more ale was always appreciated of course. The waitress nodded to the both of the gentleman before walking away to the bar across the inn, her luscious flank moving from side-to-side as if trained; the pegasi had a hard time keeping his eyes off of it for a moment.
"Thank you..." he spoke over his breath before turning his head towards the mule, a smile over his face, appreciative of the drink, "Only just arrived here not an hour ago and already a drink has been bought for me." he looked over the strangely clothed mule again, investigatory.
"My treat lad, you looked like an alright enough stallion to spend a drink on, and why not, you are sitting beside a necromancer," the title rolled from the mule's lips with ease, there was obviously no doubt or hesitation stamping himself with a dark occupation, " Name's Blue bolt by the way, a pleasure to meet you...?" he paused, expecting an answer.
The pegasi looked the necromancer over, eyes widened a bit further with the obvious title before he pursed his lips and leaned back with, "Solar Flicker, a cleric of the divine Celestia," he spoke his title with ease as well, even though it had seemed that opposites had just crossed paths. Solar truly did not have much of a problem with the title of his new acquaintance, but at the same time there was that awkward aura bout the two.
Blue Bolt's reaction was less than what was expected. His brown eyes simply looked back towards the cleric with a shrug of his shoulders before looking up as the waitress returned. With a small gander to the both of the male's at the table she set down a rather frothy ale before the necromancer, and with a smaller, more graceful movement sliding a small shot of a dark liquid towards the Cleric.
"Best watch yourself mon ami, he ordered you the best thing we've got here at the Empty-Wagon." she winked, a flick of her silken tail before nodding to the mule, taking not of his generosity before she turned and walked away with a movement of her hips.
((Editing)
The year is 1105 and Equestia has just entered the Equestrian Reneighssance. Equestria shines as the pinnacle of civilization and order within the known world. Trade, civilization and social order are beyond the outer-lying countries and can only nearly be matched by the crystal empire. The leading heir-arch within Equestria is that of Alicorn Princess, Celestia. Some refer to her as a living goddess, clerics and paladins alike giving credit of their divine power to her unyielding devotion and grandeur. She is assisted by her younger Sister, Princess Luna, together their divine power is said to raise and set the sun and moon respectively.
Jump nearly three decades forward, year 1133. The Equestrian Empire has under gone rather unique and perhaps negative changes. The size of the empire is hard to manage by the two Alicorn sisters alone and magistrates are enacted to protect and govern sections of the Equestrian empire. The size of the Equestiran empire from both military and diplomatic taken has never been seen before. It's borders stretch from Dragon mountain to the natural barrier of the Tramplevanian alps, protecting the Equestrian Empire from it's power hungry neighbor; the Ib'xian empire. Equality within the empire begins to shake at this point, Unicorns dominate the republic senate and almost all military official positions are held by Pegasi thus leaving Earth ponies, mules and donkeys as the work force of this grand empire. Unrest begins to shake the empire and the golden age of the Equestrian empire begins it's long, terrible slope downward...
1136 - King Sombra begins quick preparation in building his militaristic force, taking many years to muster the troops within his 'slave' crystal empire, thus threatening Equestrian's hold on the western land of the known continent.
1139 - The griffon Kingdoms declare war against the equestrian empire to gain control of long lost ruins and religious relics. Diplomatic talks went soured as a hot headed magistrate under Equestrian's rule threatens the people of the griffon kingdoms, thus opening all out conflict.
1140 - With Equestira's advanced military bogged down fighting the griffon kingdom's forces, a rebellion starts under the guise of 'equality'. The Rebellion is successful as Princess Luna agrees to allow a city state to be formed under their own laws and lands. Fielty is not given to Equestria but trade negotiations open and a steady alliance is made. Thus "Germaneigh" was founded on the northern parts of Equestria.
1142- The war with the Griffon kingdoms comes to an abrupt and dramatic end as King Sombra launches and all out attack against both Equestria and the Griffon kingdoms. The surprise attack gains much land for the Crystal empire as King Sombra takes advantaged of the weakened armies of his opponents. In response a shaky truce is made between the Griffon Kingdoms and The Empire of Equestira.
1143- To gain an advantage against the Crystal Empire, special pegasus regiments are formed to assist the Griffons in quick aerial attacks against the Crystal empire's armies. A central aerial stronghold is created to ensure these griffons and pegasi have a home base; Fort Cloudsdale is created in the clouds.
1145- The continued deterioration of the Equestrian Empire is seen as separation between race grows. Protests int he capital city of Londanium are brutally cut down by the royal guard as the protests grew violent. The seeds of rebellion are planted. In the same year the small country of Gildedale allies with the Crystal Empire, lending King Sombra their armies, thus leading to the sacking of Gryphus; the captial city of the Griffon Kingdoms.
1147- With the war raging now for five years Princess Celestia personally leads the armies of Equestira against the Crystal Empire's armies, leaving Princess Luna in charge of the Empire. Princess Celestia successfully turns a losing war into a shaky stalemate.
1148- In a swift and hidden act of betrayal, a large gathering of Earth ponies rise in the north-eastern part of Equestria, slaying their Magistrix and claiming the land as their own. A militia army is formed being led by General Gui'demane laying a dicatorship rule over the new rebelled lands; the nation of Prance is formed, hostile to the Equestrian empire.
1149- A year after the Prench rebellion King Sombra makes small gains into Equestria finding his armies only 75 miles away from the capital of Londanium. Princess Luna sends the garrsion forces east to deal with the rebellion of Prance, a battle set to take place at the small town of Coat D'azor. In the same year reports of undead activity have surfaced mainly around the Tramplevanian alps. Reports of families blood-sucked dry and reports of large contingents of zombies are seen terrorizing the country side.
Things are bleak in Equestria. The empire is slowly falling to threats both outside and within itself. The golden age is shaky and brittle and society darkens. Ponies fear now for their homes and the sounds they hear in the night. Supernatural beasts and undead threaten the very sanctity of the Empire and war wages on all borders. This is not a time for the weak or faint of heart. This is a time of unlikely heroes and great sacrifices, this is the falling of an empire...