Prelude: Rise of the Grand Tournament
Once upon a time, the Kingdom of Equestria was ruled by the two Regal Alicorn Sisters.
Under their rule, Equestria was a peaceful, vibrant land. A Golden Age of the arts, magic, high fashion and wisdom prevailed.
In the graceful sunlight of Celestia, and under the brilliant moonlight of Luna, Ponies lived together in friendship and peace. As the Golden Age reached its greatest apogee, Equestria was a land almost without conflict.
It was not to last, however.
On one fateful day, the stone prison holding Equestria’s greatest foe, finally shattered.
Discord was free.
Without hesitation, the Master of Chaos was quick to make the Kingdom aware of his presence. Nopony and no thing was left untouched by the Draconequus’ chaotic influence. His reach expanded ever farther, and his ancient magic knew no bounds.
When the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony attempted to imprison him once and for all, Discord hid the pieces away, or so they thought. Instead, without Celestia’s knowing, the Chaotic God had in fact altered the Elements to serve his own purposes.
After finally making it through his maze and reunifying themselves with their Elements and one another, the Mane Six confronted the Draconequus for what was meant to be the final time. But when the six friends fired upon Discord with the combined might of Harmony, he merely laughed in triumph.
That’s when everything changed.
Unstoppable and indescribable in its power, a great wave of energy erupted from Discord’s place in the town center of Ponyville. The magic completely reformed Equestria into Discord’s own version of perfection.
With this reformation, Celestia and Luna found themselves stripped of their magic. Not even the Sun and Moon were under their dominion any longer. To the even greater shock of Ponies everywhere, the Elements were also discovered to be completely devoid of power.
Discord had absorbed it all. He now wielded absolute rule over Equestria, like in the days of old.
The Master of Chaos was quick to consolidate his power. All of the kingdom mourned as Celestia and Luna, now completely helpless, were locked away in parts unknown.
Likewise, the Mane Six were imprisoned and paraded through the streets of a now changed Canterlot, by Discord’s minions.
Eventually all six of the Element bearers were put under permanent arrest in a now inescapable keep of Canterlot Palace. Discords’ future plans for them are currently obscure at best.
Under the Draconequus’ seemingly unchallengeable rule, Equestria meekly succumbed to chaos and the Golden Age swiftly faded until it was but a memory. Ponies spent their days in fear and anxiety, worrying what destabilizing act their new Overlord would do next.
Many months passed like this, before the seeds of discontentment became too great to control, even by Discord.
Desperate to return the two Sisters to power, a brave contingent of former Royal Guard lead by ex-Lieutenant Shining Armor arose to depose Discord. The warriors and all who were courageous enough to back them, fought valiantly against Discord’s ever growing hordes of summoned minions. Unfortunately, it was ultimately futile.
Discord, while angered over the massive organized rebellion, was actually flattered that anypony had been brave enough to stand up to him.
Being the whimsical chaos spirit that he was, Discord devised a plan to not only deal proper punishment to his Pony rebels, but prevent further rebellion from ever popping up again.
The Draconequus decreed that Shining Armor, and all who fought under him, would be forced to fight each other to the death, only to be magically restored to life, and battle once more. All for Discord’s weekly amusement.
As time passed, Discord became bored, and decided to amp up the competition.
Enlisting the forced labor of numerous unicorns under his rule, he introduced countless new features, weaponry, magic, and even competitors to his self-invented ‘sport’.
Arena battles were now threefold-more dynamic, action-packed, and bloody. The result was a never-ending supply of inharmonic energy that Discord feasted upon, granting him even more unfathomable power.
With these developments in place, the Equestrian Grand Tournament was born.
Now, five years have passed since Discord’s return to chaotic rule. Nopony has heard from either the Princesses or the Elements of Harmony.
For good or ill, the Grand Tournament has become a central institution in Equestrian daily life. Almost everypony talks about it, and it dominates the lives of the millions who tune in to watch it, hoping a warrior or team they know will be victorious. Almost as many desire to compete within it.
For in all his chaotic madness, the All Powerful Discord has also decreed that whomsoever were to beat out all the other teams, reach the finals, and win, would attain something incredible from the Draconequus himself.
Many circulating rumors vary from it being a duel between the victorious team’s captain and Discord in person, to untold riches, to political power and prestige, to a ticket away from Equestria. A few suggest something even as radical as a single wish.
A wish of any nature that Discord would grant each and every one of the glorious team members who had defied the trials and tribulations of the Tourney and survived. A wish that could potentially either return Equestria to her former grace and peace under the Princesses, or commit all the world to a permanent shroud of chaos and despair.
But rumors are just rumors right?
Nopony knows what actually happens to those who win. Every time anypony tries to ask the previous victors just what it was they encountered at the end of the final battles, they say nothing. They always shake their heads and say they are sworn to secrecy, then summarily walk away, their armor’s pockets jingling with untold masses of bits.
Because of this, the true prize, beyond the obvious heavy bit payout, remains forever mysterious, as Discord intends.
What, do you really want to know what potential riches and powers that await those who win?
Do you truly wish to experience the unreal heat, blood, adrenaline, and glory of the arenas? Are highly devastating weapons, mighty ground crushing armor, graceful melee fighting, or powerful magic one of your domains?
Or perhaps you seek to win the approval of the mighty Discord himself?
Who shall stand victorious, and win over the hearts and minds of Equestrians everywhere? Many teams shall compete, but only one shall claim eternal glory, like the four teams have before you.
Well then warriors, what are you waiting for? Join up and compete today! The fifth-annual Equestrian Grand Tournament is about to begin!
With such chaos, destruction, and gratuitous bloodshed, this year’s Tourney promises to be positively, UNREAL!!
