B.C. (before Celestia)

by Uncle Knot

Rating: teen
Tags: Anthro, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 8477

the times of Sombra, Star Swirl and the Good King

Professor Sump of the Canterlot Magic Academy has gather stories from the times of Sombra, Star Swirl the bearded, and the good king (who founded Canterlot as a royal city). There are many who would not want these stories to ever see the light of day, but Professor Sump will have his say. For, as he would say. the need of our world requires that truth be brought to light. These stories may seem fanciful, but are the best recounts from that period in our dark history.

Published 2013-07-13 23:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-05-11 20:05:59 UTC

Cats and Mice

Three ponies gazed over the field. There was a slight mist in the air and it encouraged them to think they might escape notice. Hibben, Kennesaw, and Kissing Crane wanted to get home very badly. As they emerge from the thicket the silence increased. Home for them was the village of Ing, a quiet farming town in the far north one day’s trot further. They were armed to the teeth, in addition to their personal weapons, they also carried the burden of swords and axes for their village.

They feared the sky. For in the sky could be sky Vikings, Valkyries and cloud pirates, otherwise known as pegs.

For two days they had trotted from glade to forest avoiding the large open areas, but some places just had to be gambled. They knew they had a tail. They had tried to circle back and catch it, but the tail was tricky. They knew what it was and if it wasn’t in league with the pegs, they would not worry about it too much, but they still wanted to be rid of it.
Trotting through the fields and meadows was risky, but the time they were gaining made it a good gamble. ‘Hold’ said Hibben, puffing small clouds of steam out his nostrils. Kennesaw and Kissing Crane complied. They had been with Hibben many years, they trusted his instincts. The mist was increasing. There was a trace of something in the air. Some long forgotten scent. For long moments they remained ready. It was not the best place to be, but something was aloft, and reckless galloping would only attract attention. Eyes and ears scanned the sky, seeking any sign in the mist.

In the sky, the wing leader, Hungry Hank, signaled his crew. He, Dominate, and Shinwa would circle the target to draw their attention. While the Umbrella brothers, Turbo and Target, would hit their prey with a more vertical approach. The mist made judging the ground distance difficult and Turbo made his dive too early.

‘Here they come’ whispered Kennesaw. Kissing Crane jumped to his right as the first pegasus hit the earth. Turbo quickly returned to the air as Kennesaw’s spear swing missed.

‘Drop you weapons now and we might spare you’ chuckled Hungry Hank.

‘We know your mercy, pirate’ responded Hibben.

‘So its knife work, tell us your names, dirt ponies’

‘Our names mean nothing to you brutes, be gone crows’

The five pegs continued to circle the dirt ponies, dropping lower and lower to the ground. They touched the ground gingerly, mocking disgust to have to touch the earth. Hungry Hank knew these three by their look; tough veterans of many a battle. This would be a dark day. The earth ponies also knew their foes. Sky pirates who often preyed upon travelers.
The earth ponies secretly hoped that a determined show of resistance would discourage the pegs to seek other game.

‘What brings you dirts so far north?’ asked Hungry Hank

‘Griffins and dragons’ chuckled Kennesaw

‘Be quiet’ said Hibben

‘What, there’s enough treasure for all of us’ responded Kennesaw

‘Treasure?’ asked Hungry Hank

‘Kill us and you’ll never find it’ said Hibben

‘There is no treasure’ said Hungry Hank matter of flatly ‘this is just a rouse to buy more time, ATTACK!’

The knife work was not pretty, 5 pegs to 3 dirts don’t seem fair, but pound for pound it was an even match. When it was all over, only Shinwa and Dominate flew away. Hungry Hank was drowning in his own blood for a spear pierced his lungs. Hibben had a broken foreleg. Turbo had an axe buried into his head. Target’s wing was broken. Kennesaw had a nasty gash on his neck. Kissing Crane was missing an ear and blood caked his left eye and side of his face.

Target galloped after Shinwa, but Kennesaw would not suffer that. He gallop after him and struck him down, cutting his hind tendons, crippling him, and leaving him for the wolves. The sun turned red as it began to set.

‘We need to bind our wounds and make quick time, if we want to escape the wolves’ said Kissing Crane

‘Yes bind your wounds’ repeated Hibben

‘How bad is it?’ asked Kennesaw

‘The leg is broken’ said Hibben

‘We’ll splint it’ responded Kennesaw

‘I’m ruined fool’ said Hibben

Kennesaw felt a tear fall from his eye. It was obvious, even with a splint; Hibben would be a cripple for the rest of his life. Even if they could bind the leg, Hibben would lag behind and the wolves would eventually catch him.

‘Grant me mercy, Kennesaw’ said Hibben

‘I can’t’ whispered Kennesaw

They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment. Hibben’s penetrating gaze forced Kennesaw to remain fixed to the spot staring back into his eyes. So concentrated were the two, that Kennesaw didn’t see Kissing Crane ease up to Hibben. With a quick flick, Hibben dropped to the ground. Kennesaw couldn’t rend his eyes away from the spark of life ebbing from Hibben’s eyes, till he was gone.

‘Let’s go’ said Kissing Crane

‘How could you?’ stammered Kennesaw

‘You were always the weak one’ responded Kissing Crane moving into a trot and then a gallop. Kennesaw followed after a moment.

The Village of Ing

The village of Ing

The bell sounded, that meant someone was coming, Ursula worried herself busily. Being with foal, she knew her husband would berate her for running out to meet him. Still the worry was too great, she tied up any loose ends and made sure the cooking fire would not spread. Removing her apron, she left the cottage and started walking toward the town gate. Many others ponies galloped ahead of her. They were some shouts of glee and then mumbling. Some instinct stopped her. The crowd got quiet. Many turned toward her. Some approached. Kennesaw was there. So too was Kissing Crane. Where was her… the look on Kennesaw told her everything. It was a risky business smuggling weapons to the village. She knew the risks that her mate took. There were no tears, only the next task awaited her. The look of consultation on most ponies was not what she wanted. She didn’t want pity. She needed help with the cooking.

‘Listen up you lot, my mate knew the risks’ she said matter of fact. ‘He’d be the first to tell ya, to get your plots to work and put those goods to use.’

‘Ursula?’ said her sister questioningly.

‘If you want to help sister, go make sure I’m not burning dinner’ said Ursula. ‘The rest of ya’ll get ready for a long winter. Kennesaw, Kissing Crane’ she bellowed ‘the village council will want a full report, prepare yourselves’

At the council meeting in the main hut at the center of the village, all those ponies who could fight gathered around.
Kennesaw was giving a report. He told how far they had traveled, who they had gotten the weapons from, how much it had cost, and the trails of coming home and the battle that ended with Hibben’s death.

‘What was that about being followed?’ asked Ursula.

‘We think they were unicorn’ said Kissing Crane. ‘They were quite skilled at woods craft, for we could not find them.’

‘How many were they?’

‘Couldn’t tell for sure, maybe 2 or 3’ answered Kennesaw.

‘What could they want? Who would willingly travel into our country before winter?’

‘Who cares, those beardless folk do strange things’

‘Maybe it is about time we found out’ stated Ursula meaningfully.

Star Swirl takes a wife

The young wizard and his charge surveyed what the wolves and crows had left. Mostly weapons and shredded armor; too ripped to offer any aid for the cold winds. The unicorn started to doubt the vision, it had told him to travel north following the warriors, to find the peace he sought. Perhaps the peace he sought was the cold dream of death. No that could not be, the vision promised life to himself and his charge. The poor young colt trudged after his master. The master knew there was something special about his student. Already he had shown great ability and diplomacy. Still, to find their reluctant and unknowing guides dead did not give sustenance. Where would they go from here?

Shinwa and his group circled overhead. Dominate flew on Shinwa’s wing, in addition Buffalo Bone and Arrowhead followed. They were very high up, but they knew where they were looking and what they were looking for. The two potential targets were not what they were looking for. They didn’t want unicorns; they wanted the rebellious earth ponies. When they determined where they were from, the entire clan would descend on them and obliterate them. Perhaps, these beardless creatures would lead them to their prey.

Kennesaw and Kissing Crane spotted the beardless ones as well from the concealment of the woods. They did not approach them, but remained hidden, fearing that the unicorns had their own shadow. The beardless ones trotted north toward another wooded area, perhaps to seek shelter. This promised to be an interesting game of cat and mouse.
The two unicorns dug in for the long winter, they had found a cave for shelter and were preparing for the long cold night. Survival skills were 2nd nature to these two. Star made no effort to discourage his beard from growing in. Any bonus to warmth would be needed this twilight of the year. Wishing to conserve energy, the two spoke little and rested often. They foraged and munched on barks, avoiding the deadly cherry tree and others. It was meager fare but sustainable.
As the sky grew darker, Shinwa and his group gave up the hunt. Eventually so did Kennesaw and Kissing Crane, but they told their village where the unicorns were.

A strange dream took Ursula one night. She strayed from the village and visited the woods. In the woods she found the cave, and within the two unicorns. They were not what she expected, their manes needed a good brushing and the older one was shaggy chin. Ursula awoke then, and knew what she needed to do. She packed up her brushes and left the hut early in the misty morning. It was the type of chilly morning that promises a frost. The iciness made the town guard shiver and huddle. Perhaps this explained their lapse in their duties or perhaps the shade that passed them in the night could only be an illusion. Ursula trotted south to the woods, following the path in her dream, surrounded by the concealing mist each step out of the dream. She stepped into the secrete cave and found the unicorns sleeping. The younger one was curled up in the corner. The older one had fallen asleep tending the fire. Smoke still twisted up from the embers. Ursula ignited the fire again. Star’s mane looked so raggedly. Ursula knelt beside him and began to untangle his hair. Star must’ve awoken, thinking at first that a mouse was running through his hair and gradually realizing that some pony was brushing his mane. He remained very still, enjoying the attention. Ursula tired and lay beside him and they both fell back asleep.

Lavander

A bright move, she walked the familiar pathways searching for lilac and lavender. Two useful flowers that chased away mold. It had been a particularly wet spring and the mushrooms had been plentiful. Their family had enjoyed these times
Her adoptive mom, Ursula, and her dad, Star, had taught her well the lore of the forest. Her two older brothers were busy playing adventures.

There in the woods Ing had learned the sounds and feelings of danger. But this time there was something odd about the clearing she entered. Several large boulders lay in the center. Ing’s curiosity approached, keeping a watchful ear and eye on the surrounding trees. Her her magic was pulling her toward the stones. She could feel her sense of excitement growing there had to be something special there. She looked forward to telling them. She was playing adventurer. Her older brothers would be excited about her adventure. A crevice open downward in the rocks. The opening into the earth was inviting. Light was reflected down below. Something shinny was down there. Ing use her magic to probe delicately. As a foal her magic was very weak, but she could use it to subtle effect. Nothing big or dangerous was in the lower cavern. Cautiously Ing gingerly stepped down into the cavern.

It took only a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Indeed it wasn’t very dark at all. Perhaps the lichen upon the walls flowed into the pool of water to reflect the light and illuminate the entire cavern, Ing could feel the pool tug upon her magic, so she used special caution as she approached. The light reflected so well in the pool that it was like staring into a mirror. Never one for vanity, Ing still found the image of herself most memorizing.

“Hello” she said, seeing her reflection instantly respond. Ing smiled at herself. Wait; was it a trick of her eyes that she saw herself wink at herself? This frighten Ing, and realizing she hadn’t gathered any lavender, she fled from the cavern.

Upon returning home to the tree house with a modest supply of lavender. Ing was suddenly reluctant to broach the subject of adventuring in a mysterious cavern with a mirror pool. It was her secret for now and she would keep it to herself until she knew more.

Ursula and Star and Sombra were shouting at each other.

“You are too rough with him” said Star

“He has to learn to fight better” responded Ursula

“He is too young” said Star

“Too young, ha, he is as big as me” said Sombra

“Enough! Whatever doesn’t kill me will make me stronger" said Odk

the Crystal mine

The Canterlot crystal mine was discovered by some earth ponies in 991 BC (Before Celestia). During the time of the Peg Lords (776-443 BC) the mine switch control with whichever Peg Lord could maintain control.

About 475 BC Sombra gained dominance over the slave trading of earth ponies. As the sole slave provider for the operation of the mine, Sombra soon gained control over the mine itself. His willingness to sell slaves and now crystal to any peg lord made him a major neutral power among the feudal peg lords. His power grew because of his neutrality.

It was about 449 BC that problems stated plaguing the mine operation. Unfortunately it was at this same time that a period of relative peace between the peg lords began. As peace continued, prosperity grew and the demand for crystal increased. Sombra’s wealth increased, but production at the mines fell.

Sombra’s use of earth ponies as slave labor had always had problems with runaways, but now ponies were simple disappearing.

“Pick” was a brown pony with a dark brown mane. He was digging at the wall knowing that the more crystal they could haul out, the more food they would eat. The whip pony was a cruel master, but at least he was fair. Some whip ponies got fat on the slave ponies rations, working their slave gangs to starvation, and starvation brought disease.

Some ponies were pushed too hard; some would escape or try too, only last week 5 slave ponies and their whip had disappeared in one the side tunnels.

“Pick” a call went out

“Over her” Pick answer as he realized it was his crew buddy – 'Shovel'

“These tunnels are getting confusing” said Shovel

“I would swear that there wasn’t a lateral passage back there”

The mountain rumbled, the slaves and their whips were scared. A second team of workers had disappeared. A rumor was spreading that the mountain was hungry.

Pick, Shovel and Whip worked more cautiously today. The new slaves added to the crew were either frighten or resigned to their fate.

A new slave joined the group. Whip named him Digger. The group of 4 would dig out a section and then collapse it and move on to another section. Rooms and hallways would be built and then collapse on purpose least gases would build up that could either explode or suffocate. Whip acquired another pony slave from another team. Whip dubbed him Cart Mule, as it became his function to push carts up the ramp and ride the empties back down.

The team of five broke for the day, ate a high fat meal and crashed for the shift. Outside in the slave camp, most were too tired from long hours to stay up and talk, guards patrolled the perimeter but tonight, they seemed to be more interest in the dangers outside of camp than the possible escape of slaves. It was quiet, too quiet, even the insects had stopped their chirping and other noises.

The lone Pegasus guard on the western fence never saw it coming. His eyesight was sharp, but something tonight seemed off, like an extra mountain or hill on the horizon. He tried to place the hills in his mind but it just didn’t seem to fit. The clouds passing over the moon didn’t help. The shadows cast gave an eerie quality to the landscape. Something shinny reflected in his view. Oddly shaped, it seem familiar but the size was all wrong. The peg wanted the clouds to move so he could see better and he got his wish, but too late.

As the clouds parted the peg began to realize his doom. His mind went into shock and his eyes screamed out the danger no pony would ever hear.

The next day

The mood was restless in camp. All the slaves and their whips were assembled in the main quad. A through count of every slave was completed. The warden for the slave camp, a peg of corpulent status, after a conference with his reg lts, proclaimed a holiday.

The company dining hall became a rumor factory, slaves and whips were at a loss with themselves. Some ponies used the day off to relax and rest. Some took an overdue bath.

Pick and Shovel made a drum set out of some empty barrels. Many ponies leant their voices to songs. Songs about life and grass and hills of green. Songs about home.

The peg guards were acting nervous. Some pegasus had disappeared in the night, and that peg wasn’t the type to do that. Noteworthy was that all his gear was still in the barracks.

The peg guards were on double watch that night and this put every pony on edge. Something was uncharitably wrong.
Pick and Shovel feared something bad was about to happen.

It did, the ground started shaking, smoke escape the mine entrance. Ponies lost their balance and fell. One of the guard towers toppled. The peg guards took to the air. From the sky they could see the earth below quivering like pudding.
There was something moving beneath the earth. It moved toward the center of the work camp. Then burst forth from the ground. This eruption of earth spewing skyward put the pegs into a state of shock. Dust clouded their vision as they sought the source of this salient. The serpentine creature emerge from the dust cloud and snatched a helpless pegasus, snapping it’s back in its gigantic jaws as acidic saliva slipped from the monstrous mouth and splashed upon the hapless ponies half buried beneath the overturned soil.

The pegs swooped in to attack the beast, but the sheer impossibility of the monster’s size stunned some pegs into useless awe. Only its head and neck had breached the earth, now, as its claws and shoulders breached the earth in an eruption of more earth and rock did the pegs even began to gauge the monsters true size.

“Dragon” went the chorus of frightened voices. “Dragon!” vented the small chorus of voices still able to respond. Most ponies were too bewildered by the cloud of dust and falling rock or the unstable earth to even contemplate what the word ‘dragon’ meant. All they know is that if they stay where they are, they would die. Many tried to flee, no longer heedful of their slave masters or the enclosing fence. The beast had now partially emerged from the earth, crushing buildings and ponies, it snatch up in its yawning mouth with razor sharp teeth the last of the annoying pegs.

The monstrous beastie’s tail broke the surface of the earth and swept both fence and ponies into its immediate area to make consumption easier. If any pony had the mental calmness to consider the dragon’s great size, it surely required an entire herd of ponies to sustain. Clearly hunger had prompted the beast to attack the slave camp. There the dragon found a ready meal with little resistance, except for a few crunchy pegs in light armor.

Before the dust had even settled, the massacre was finished, the ponies were devoured and the monster plunged back into the earth as if taking a dip in a pond.

A raven fluttered overhead, trying to understand the dust and earth cloud. All was quiet now and the bird’s keen eyes told it that there was little left to feed upon. But curiosity won out and the bird circled a few more times looking for some scrap. The raven knew that this place wasn’t like it had been. The guard towers and buildings were gone. The sounds were all gone as well. A fine layer of brown dust and earth covered the wreckage. Only the ants frantically rebuilding their nests showed any sign of life to the dark predator. Was it hunger that gave pause to the blackbird’s sense of loss?

A small mound of dirt showed some movement and the raven dived directly there for a chance at a meal, and then aborted its dive, realizing the size of the mound.

A pony covered in dirt and mud roused himself from within a broken rail cart. Pick had hid himself in the cart by accident as the earth quake had rolled him into the rail cart. There by sheer chance had he escaped the feasting of the dragon. However, Pick did not escape unharmed, his ribs ached and his ears rang. Pick was too dizzy to stand and his stomach churned, not from the carnage he had witnessed, but instead from his ringing ears. Pick only manage to raise himself out of the dirt and dust for a moment before collapsing and losing consciousness.

The raven circled overhead. It could be patient. It knew what death looked like. It would only be a little longer.
Several hours passed and other birds of opportunity also circled. The pony below had not moved and the raven knew that if he didn’t act soon the bigger vultures would be dipping in to dine soon.

As the raven dove down to some nearby rubble, the lone pony remained motionless. The blackbird cautiously hopped closer. It studied the broken pony. Was it still living? Yes, the raven could hear Pick’s wheezing and irregular breath. Now the raven calculated if the distressed pony would put up a fight. The raven knew to strike at the eyes first to determine if there would be any fight left in the collapsed form.

It hopped closer. The sharpness of its beak flashed clear and threatening. The distressed pony groaned and the raven took to the air with a shrill cry. Still the fallen figure remained motionless while the blackbird joined the other circling birds.
The sun bleached down late into the day. Again the raven was the first to drop down and test the stricken pony. Fueled by its hunger, the raven hopped closer than before. Pick’s wheezing breath was shallow and accompanied by a slight gurgling sound.

Like a dart the sharp beak snatched at the eyelid. Flesh tore; blood speckled the raven’s bill. The doomed pony made no response. Pick has lapsed into comma. The blackbird’s beak tore into the eye and plucked it out. The other birds overhead began a slow circling decent. The shadows of the bigger birds worried the raven and it took to flight with its juicy prize. The vultures called to each other with congratulations as they lighted upon the ground. it didn’t matter to them if the pony was only half dead.

The raven circled the former slave camp still tasting the milky fluid within the now swallowed eyeball. Its sharp eyes noticed three shadows on the horizon coming this way. With a perverse satisfaction the dark wing predator gave a warning cry to the vultures, who reluctantly paid heed and abandoned their meal, for now.

Three ponies in dark cloaks galloped into what was left of the camp. They were following a swirling green mist pointing the way to the lone survivor. They gathered around him as one began chanting some type of song, and then another joined in.

Pick meets Ing

Three days later, Pick regained consciousness. A beautiful young unicorn mare was chanting and standing beside his bed. She was the only pony he could see. Only then did Pick realize he was only seeing out of one eye. The unicorn’s chant had the trace of a song to it and it seemed to be helping Pick recover from his wounds.

“That’s enough Ing” said a voice out of view, the beautiful unicorn complied and smiled at Pick.

Pick struggle to get up and immediately regretted it. Every muscle in his body screamed at even the prospect of moving.

“Easy lad” said the unseen voice.

Pick turn his head toward the left. Using his one good eye, Pick looked over at the unseen voice and chuckled, and instantly wished he hadn’t.

“Broken ribs hurt, eh?”

“Yes” Pick wheezed.

“Hello, don’t try to talk. My name is Star”, said the bearded unicorn “and this is my daughter, Ing. I’ve been teacher her healing magic. She is good at it, yes?”

Pick managed to nod his head at the strange looking pony. A unicorn with a beard was not the only unusual thing about him. There were bells on the brim of his tall pointed hat.

The Seige

The siege, this account is in several scrolls from that time, yet it seems to be in conflict with other events. I cannot explain this, except to suggest that the source may have been Sombra himself. If so, then this may be a recounting of an actual event, modified by Sombra to embroider his legends. There was indeed a pegasus Lord Damascus.

The peg lord, Damascus, looked down upon his new slaves. A mixed lot of ragged manes and half-starved ponies. Certainly this new purchase did not meet the standards of the other slave trader standing next to him.

That slave trader was not here to trade slaves; rather he had a personal grudge to settle. He mused ‘won’t get much work from this sorry lot’

The peg lord hated to admit it, but the other was correct. He had planned it that way. He knew the dirt ponies were planning to besiege his stone fort and had bought the cheapest slaves for that very reason. As the slaves were herded into the compound, the peg turned to the slave trader and said ‘I know your slaves are worth 2 or 3 times this lot’
With the gates close, the peg said ‘come here Go’

A dirt pony responded ‘yes, my lord’

‘Do you remember when he, pointing to the slaver, sold you to me?’

‘Yes my lord’

‘Hello Odk’ said the slaver

‘His name is Gofer now’ said the peg lord ‘as in go for this, go for that’

‘So you be pleased with him?’ said the slaver

‘Aye, I’d make him my seneschal, if he were not a slave’

Another peg stepped forward ‘my lord the dirts approach’

‘Ah ha, the trap is set’

Coming over the quiet hills were a motley crew of earth ponies, dressed in black, brown and gray armor. Some not even having any armor, all carry wicked and sharp objects

Kukri said ‘badly dress and caring sharp objects seems to be their banner call’ said Kurki, another Pegasus, obliged to lord Damascus.

‘They mean to besiege us, now that we have too many mouths to feed’ said the slaver.

‘That’s the point’ said the peg lord ‘give your enemy the illusion that they can win in order to get them committed to fight’

‘And then what my lord’ said Kukri

‘Break their hearts and crush them without mercy’ said the peg lord

‘Genius’ said the slaver

‘Thank you for the effusive compliment’ said the peg lord ‘but it’s not due me, it was Go’s idea and in that I bought him cheaply from you.’

‘If his plan works, yes, but if it fails’ said the slaver ‘we die’

‘Nay only you and he will die, we be peg, and we could always fly away’ the peg lord chuckled.

‘Dam you Odk. What have you brought down on us?’

‘Only a lesson I learned from you, former master’ sneered Odk

The siege began as the earth ponies set torches to the grain fields about the fort. They would love to have harvested the wheat but they could ill afford the risk as the dirt ponies needed to minimize the perils to their siege towers. The dry wheat burned a gray haze that clouded the skies. This would decrease the peg lord’s air advantage.

Kukri identified some of the dirt commanders among the dirts; Rampage, Massive, Dynamo, Machete, and Spear.
From out of the still smoldering fields emerged the siege towers. The peg defenders fired flaming arrows at the approaching wooden behemoth. Some arrows stuck, the towers were bleach leather covered to reduce burning. The dirt ponies had planned well ahead. The defenders counted 5 towers.

‘We didn’t expect that’ said Kukri

‘Where did they hide them all?’ said Thumper.

‘To your stations’ said the peg lord ‘we won’t quit this fight yet’. ‘Hey slaver, go bloody yourself’. “Gofer come with me’
The peg lord picked up his rig and tackle, ‘secure that’ tossing the thick rope to Gofer, the slave obliged his lord passing the rope through an iron ring in the stone battlements and then tying it to a preset boulder. The peg lord took to the air dragging the rope skyward into the smoke. After a few moments the returned and both he and Odk tied the other end of the rope to a predetermined large stone upon a level. They both grunted as they pushed down upon the device. The boulder tumbled over the edge of the ramparts swinging down in an arch with the pivot point of the ring. As it swung the slack of the rope disappeared and the 2nd of the encroaching towers tipped into the first. The wood in the towers screamed in protest. Dirt ponies panic as it tipped sideways and crashed into the closer tower. Then the stone ring set in the ramparts snapped out to the stone walkway with a crack. The stone partially exploded and a shard struck the peg lord, knocking him unconscious. For the rest of the chaotic battle, Odk took command and protected his lord. The dirts retreated and sought reprieve at dusk.

In the evening, upon recovering, the peg lord summoned his lieutenants, the slaver and Odk. ‘Today’ said the peg lord ‘you have earned your freedom no more will I call you slave. You demonstrated unmatched bravery and protected me from my enemies.’

‘Why didn’t you slay him?’ whispered one of the slaves.

‘Why would you do that Odk?’ asked the slaver ‘you could have escaped admits the confusion of battle’

‘I tell you the truth, slaver, I only kill those I have to, not those that deserve it’ responded Odk

“ha ha ha’ exclaimed the peg lord

Thumper said ‘Those dirt ponies would have murdered us all. They are not here to free our slaves; they want blood, death and fire’

‘So you ignored my plan, Odk’ said the peg lord

‘Yes, my lord’ said Odk ‘there will be other opportunities to do it for our enemy is determined to continue the siege’

‘How do you know that?’ asked the slaver

‘They know you’re here, slaver, they hate you most of all’ said Damascus

For 30 more days the dirt ponies besieged the stone fort. They made other attempts using siege towers but the pegs were able to repel them. Brave acts were done by both sides. Heroes fell such as Torch, Throwing Star, True Colors, Pierce, and Flick. Catapults were constructed by the dirt ponies and the rocks flew. Some defenders were injured and begged their lord for mercy. Odk was given the task of providing that mercy, quick and sharp. The waiting game continued.

The moon grew larger and brighter each evening. Tension rose as food supplies shortened. The regular crack of stone upon stone became rhythmic. Thump. Thump. Thump. Days melted into each other. Ponies counted the moments by when the last hero die. Wild dogs howled, crows gathered and chawed to each other. The peg lord became short of words. The slaver joked with Odk that he had sold him too cheaply. They recounted their tales of growing up together in the village of Ing. All the heroes they had outlived. Both sought a way out of this trap of life. Would ponies ever be free from the threat of sudden death?

Responding to the bombardment of the catapults would only give the enemy ammunition. Only through endurance would this siege end one way or another. How do the endless siege?

The dirts tried a battering ram next. Covered in a boiled leather roof, they cover the device to the gates. It pounded against the iron reinforced oaken door moment by moment. The defenders poured boiling water upon the attackers. For boiling oil may have a shock effect, oil also gives a calorie bonus to the defenders when mixed with rice or grain. The boiling water did the same damage to the attackers as oil would have. Large rocks were also dropped upon the battering ram contraption gorging large holes in the roof. Several times the dirts had to withdraw the ram to repair it. The sickle of death hovered closer seeking its next victim. The Hammer, a dirt pony, who over estimated his importance and encouraged his detail of ponies with grunts took command of the ram.

Song of the Dragon's Woe

Some of us know the short version, as a nursery tail. This first version is most remarkable as I found it in the archives of the Crystal Empire library. I did notice that the meter and system change. This may be a copy of two earlier versions. What is most amazing is that it describes the origin of our tales of our Good King who founded Canterlot.

March past the rambles and bogs
Where be brambles are thickest there you will find
Wolves made of twigs, sticks and logs
A pond beyond twisted with vines

Past the ponds of ooze and beneath the stone
There taken her own reflection she stared
Beyond the image made of flesh and bone
Yearning for one whose reflection she shared

Into the cavern beneath the thorns and briars
Solemnly swear not to be scared
Slip past the monsters, horns and liars
At the prospect of gloom doubly shared

Cursed be these double gang hers kickers
Cursed be the pirate peg slavers
Tear the flesh and bone do stickers
Torn the mirror do peg pirate slayers

Again and again the pegs kill the maid
Again and again Ing bids her image rise
From the sky the winged ponies came to raid
Exhausted the flying folk fade to the wise

Least their energy hers to claim
Frustrated the peg lord rages fits
As Lady Ing receives glory and fame
Defeated the peg lord quits

Sombra betrays his brother and Pick
Slaves they become to the peg lords
Ursula is lost, claimed by the sick
Lonely Star, all is disaster for the price of a sword

Needless send, Odk gets his ‘go’
Begs the battle for the keep
At first the fight goes slow
But at last the walls are heaps

Bloodbath brings the hungry dragon
Satiate his thirst on bloody feast
Old enemies make truce and drink the flagon
Vow together to kill the monstrous beast

March the armies of pegs and dirts
Led by Star Swirl the bearded unicorn
With lords Sombra, Go-Odk, and Ing

All the Ings aglow in their skirts
Vows again and again are sworn
All together all fates be fling

To the crystal caves of Canterlot
Fight the dragon or feed him
Could sword and spear be enough?

Would pony’s lives end in rot?
As clamor of steel rings the dim
With Swirl’s magic they be tough

With Ing’s songs they would sing
Winging blade cut dragon scales
Swinging blades chop dragon tails

Legend pause, time stands still
Lances thrust through his chin
Blood rains on hero’s kin

Thus did Go Odk, Ing and Sombra claim
Long life and thrones on hill
Yet dragon still lives and forces retreat

Munching armored crunchies and burning mane
All seemed lost as the Star fell
But Go Odk and Ing preformed their feat

Rescued the Swirl and creature is bashed
So Go Odk is king and Ing does the tell
While Sombra slips to slaving and friendship is broken

Hearts be cracked and love is dashed
So rings the bell, so ends the tail
As Go Odk Ing becomes ‘Good King’ be spoken

Summary

Summary

In 490 BC (before Celestia), the times were rough. Brutality and barbarism ruled. If you had the might you were the right. Pegasi would swoop down and raid farming communities and then retreat to their sky forts with their booty. Earth ponies fought bravely against these sky pirates and even though the earth ponies were more numerous, they would always be out numbered because the pegasi had rapid deployment and could concentrate numbers. Unicorns retreated to the woodlands and lived lives of secret solitude. With so little food in the forests, the life of a mystic became economical and sustainable.
As the sky pirates succeeded in their raids, they became restless and careless. Their victories made them rich. However gold cannot be kept in cloud cities. Not enough lift. So the pegasi would use their wealth to buy slaves to build stone forts. The made themselves feudal lords over the land, always fighting for supremacy with each other and constantly putting down earth pony rebellions. Those who were less than successful were tortured and slain. The earth or ‘dirt’ ponies would pull or break the wings off of capture pegasus, enslave them and abuse them until they would die prematurely. Sometimes after shaving off a captured pegasus’s mane, they would replace it with its’ very own feathers, torn from the wings.

Unicorns were burned as witches or enslaved. Sometimes they were tortured and raped first. In some extreme cases, the unicorn would have its’ horn broken off, and then it would be raped using its’ own horn. Shaving the beard, mane and tail off any pony marked it as a slave. Unicorns hated slavery; they refuse to grow beards or manes, and thus targeting themselves for derision, mockery, and scorn. Their seclusion into the forests became even more common.

Warlords rose and fell. No one remembers them except for their violence and brutality. To cross one meant to risk life and limb. Undeniably, having your foreleg broken was a familiar punishment. One such warlord distinguished himself from the others. Indeed, he claimed it was his destiny. He was a unicorn, willing to grow a beard, or sometimes a mustache, or sometimes long dark sideburns. He would fight side by side or against dirt ponies or sky raiders. He would use the magic of his horn to levitate some small creature, such as a rabbit, split it asunder over his own head, and drink the blood. He claimed it put fire into his heart before a battle. It certainly put fear into his enemies to see his blood anointed head charging them, sparks of fire from his horn igniting falling drops of gore.

Sombra’s true genius was not in battle; however, it was in economics. He recognized the flow of money and power from one to another. He realized he didn’t have to conquer the world through battle, he could buy it, and to get the bits to do it, he would sell slaves. In exchanged for his bravery in battle, he was made a baron of a small nearly worthless bit of farmland in the north. Unattractive and unwanted by most; not that it could produce food, but it was cold and the winter nights were long. These long nights encouraged the locals to spend their time huddled up in their homes producing fouls and reading.

The serfs were caught in an endless cycle of having too many ponies to take care of each year or starvation certainly resulting in death, and then not having enough ponies to work the farms to produce food for the next season. Sombra perpetrated the fiction that only the true bloods or ancients of this land deserved to live here. They were easy to spot; the crystal glint in their eyes was stronger in some than in others. Those farmers had no idea that the crystal glint could be recreated by eating certain local foods. Sombra did, as a unicorn and had spent many years in the reclusive forests learning all sorts of herbs and lore. He did easily recreate the crystal glint in his own eyes.

As for his peasant farmers, who were they to question him? It was truly his barony. He made deals with some warlords ‘relocating’ some of his excess serfs in exchange for peace and bits. The population of the barony was stabilized. Famine and its threat became a memory of the past. He used his bits quickly to hire mercenaries and buy crystal from the mines least his wealth become a temptation for the sky pirates. He even hired pegasi to protect his tiny little realm. No longer was it called a barony, now it was called a county, and some whispered a dukedom.

The path to success did have problems, yet Sombra had a talent for turning the negative into an opportunity. For instance, a crystal dragon moved into the most productive crystal mine. The locals were eaten and the mine closed. For even though the mine was not within Sombra’s realm, he pledged to reopen it. Leading his mercenaries, into the mine, he slew the dragon and claimed the mine as part of his growing empire. Generally, the populace of ponies was so thankful, that cries of “long live king Sombra” arose spontaneously.

Sombra returned to his fiefdom with the heart of the crystal dragon and proclaimed himself King of the Crystal Empire. Still his practice of relocating serfs or selling slaves continued. They despaired. Sombra became synonymous with enslavement.

A champion of the ponies arose, aided by the wizard Star Swirl; this hero led the rebellion that isolated Sombra to his realm. Star Swirl’s new prodigy rose to power, debunking Sombra’s claim to have slain the dragon and becoming king of the crystal mines. This new king or as he would be called ‘good king’ did not force the issue of war to gain the freedom of the crystal empire. The good king knew that it would take a long bloody war to resolve the question of Sombra and slavery.
Sombra did not suffer his rival and waged war upon him. So the good king further isolated his nemesis by helping to build Cloudsdale. The good king acted to unite the sky pirates or pegasi to control the weather for and in behalf of the dirt or earth ponies and so substantially increase food production. Their success even brought the reclusive unicorns back into society. Meanwhile the crystal empire became more and more isolated. Without buyers, Sombra’s influence declined. Upon the crystal mine the good king built Canterlot.

Professor Sump's notes

Professor Sump’s notes from Equestrian History

Thou most these days find no comfort in the ways of the past, these are important lessons to be learned, least we repeat them. It is for this reason that I have complied these accounts regarding the career of King Sombra, the magic of Star Swirl and final the establishment of Canterlot and the reign of the Good King.

Were available I have used the written accounts of the individual involved. However, some information was passed down verbally from generation to generation and while it may be suspect in exaggeration, it is not suspect in factual record that corresponds to the few written books and artifacts in our glorious history.

In the appendix the reader will find the names of locations then and now. I apologize as my map maker was unable to decipher the notes and still make the publishing deadline. If a 2nd issue of this publication is required, the maps will most certainly be present, even if I must pen them myself.

Thou most these days find no comfort in the ways of the past, these are important lessons to be learned, least we repeat them. It is for this reason that I have complied these accounts regarding the rise of King Sombra, the magic of Star Swirl and finally the establishment of Canterlot and the reign of the Good King.

Where available; fictional accounts related to the participants that have no basis in fact, have been deleted from here.

A familiar tree house

The alarm that Ursula’s sister stirred the village to an awkward emergency. No one had seen Ursula leave, she was with foal, and she was due any week now. It was winter, it was cold, and some pony had to go look for her. Kissing Crane and Kennesaw volunteered. Every moment made the trail grow colder. It would be difficult trek as the frost was hiding the trail. As Kissing Crane was muttering about silly mares, Kennesaw noticed some ponies headed their way.

Star’s entrance into the village of Ing, was meet with much sceptism and some dismay. After some time, his magic became useful to the weapons crafters. Star’s student showed an interest in dirt style fighting. Sombra had a talent for spear and shield, but what he excelled at was trident and net.

When Ursula dropped her foal, she had a vision that the colt should be named Odk. It was an odd name, but no pony put up much fuss about it, except Ursula’s sister. And even she dropped the issue for soon she had too many other concerns as Kennesaw wanted to marry her.

Just as quickly as did Star gain admittance to the village life, did Ursula and Star have to leave. Another mare dropped a foal, and it was a unicorn. Old superstitions carried much weight. While Ursula did not doubt Star’s commitment and fidelity to her, the village elders demanded that he and his magical ways had to leave. So Star and Ursula, Sombra and Odk, and now the abandoned foal unicorn packed up what they needed and left. Ursula had just started to wean Odk, so she had plenty of milk for the new foal. She named her Ing, and promise to never leave her, as she had been forced to leave the village.

The little family traveled back to the land that Star had come from. He apologized for the tough position he had put Ursula in, but she countered that little Ing was her way of bringing home with her. There in that pleasant little valley did they make camp. Star started a spell, it was something new and unstructured. He let need direct the spell. They had need, need for shelter. The magic swirled about searching for just the right target. It found a small sapling and invaded it. The sapling grew in size rapidly and the tree stretched it limbs toward the sky. Hollows formed in its bark and converge in the center of the tree expanding to a room. Irregular tiny alcoves formed off the center room, some deep, some shallow, one led like a tunnel down into the earth. Others followed within the tree limbs upward opening small ovals to let light into the home.

Odk grew under the shadow of his Ursula’s love, Star’s wisdom, and Sombra’s elder brother rough housing. Odk grew strong.

Come Little Children

I would be remiss if is didn't clear up a misunderstanding about a popular new tune. While we all know the song, for it has been sung for many generations to calm sleepy foals. It carries more weight than first appears, for as I was doing some research in some old dusty scrolls, I came across the popular lyrics. Except these lyrics had an 'echo' voice included in the music score. I though it useful to share these additional lyrics with you;

Come little children, I'll take thee away, into a land of enchantment
Learn well smart children, we bring thee to play, here in this place of contentment
Come little children, the time's come to play, here in my garden of shadows
Rest now brave children, sweet home is our day, with dire monsters nor heroes

Follow sweet children, I'll show thee the way, through all the pain and the sorrow
Learn now smart children, money shall not pay, debts are collected tomorrow
Weep not my children, for life is this way, murdering beauty and passion
Time has come children, for the tree of clay, dresses herself without fashion
Hush now dear children, it must be this way, too weary of life and deception
Haste now strong children, lips love and truth says, is dance not a contradiction
Rest now my children, for soon we're away, into the calm and the quiet
Fly now quick children, castle by the bay, red crystal catches sight of it

Come little children, I'll take thee away, into a land of enchantment
Know shadow children, you did brake your way, now face your doom of chastisement
Come little children, the times come to play, here in my garden of shadows
Gather here children, twilight becomes day, ring the bells, fire the bellows

In light of recent events, these additional 'echoes' may contain prophecy. I am sure they were dropped before the lyrics became a song. As ever, Professor Sum P.