Prologue - The Slumber Begins
In the early years of Equestria, three kings and three queens ruled peacefully over the land.
In the cold North, the Crystal Empire stood tall, never wavering and always glowing brightly. King Clarus the Truthful and Queen Rideo the Joyous ruled their subjects fairly.
Stretching across the mountains to the East, a great Changeling hive thrived. Queen Chasten the Giving devoted her time to keeping the people of her land happy and full.
Third, among the great hills of the West, the city of Canterlot stood, high and proud for all to see. The result of centuries of peace and prosperity. Ruled by King Sol the Wise and Queen Nox the Kind, the most fair and kind of them all.
And finally, in the vast tundras of the far south the Griffon Tribes roamed freely, all of them lead by one King Aerugo the Loyal.
However, not all was well.
Deep beneath the Frostburn Sea, an incredible force was setting it's eyes on the four provinces. A force so strong and deadly, not even the all powerful Elements of Harmony could protect them for long. For in the years before the war, the six rulers shared a vision. A vision entailing the tragic horrors the invaders would bring with them.
And so, they began work. Long hard work, each of them mastering their knowledge of the magical arts. Years later, only a short while before the oncoming war, the rulers of the countries would forge six incredibly powerful weapons to combat the incoming threat.
Using what remained of their power, they sealed their souls inside of six all powerful gems. Within the gems, magical properties were imbued to protect the bearer and assure victory. The apprentices of the queens and kings of old took on the responsibility of a new age; an age of war.
They flew into battle, carrying an incredible burden with them. For if they failed, Equestria would be plunged into darkness forever...
Many years of endless fighting and countless losses followed. And after fifty long years of relentless warmongering and death, the evil sank back beneath the frozen oceans to never return. Ponies, Griffons, and Changelings alike rejoiced. For they had just won a battle that otherwise seemed impossible.
However, the war left the land tarnished and barren. All that was once lively and filled with life was now a frozen wasteland. Crops had withered away and the sun hid among the clouds. Seemingly endless blizzards rained down upon the kingdoms.
The many races were broken. But none as much as the ponies. While before they were happy, now they were only shells of their former selves. The three races of ponies that lived within Canterlot drifted apart from each other. The Earth ponies descended to the ground where they attempted to make do with the weather. The Pegasi floated up into the clouds to further combat the weather. And the Unicorns kept their ground, never leaving the proud city they once knew.
Every year it got worse as the snow continued to blanket the land. The three races of ponies were on the brink of civil war, each at others throats. That is until something amazing happened. The Elements of Harmony returned from the ashes of war, and with them a new set of bearers; Chancellor Puddinghead, Smart Cookie, Princess Platinum, Clover the Clever, Commander Hurricane, and Private Pansy.
These ponies paved the way for the revival of Old Equestria. They ended the hatred and fighting among the three pony races, and with it the snow storms resided. A new era had begun. An era of peace, love, and friendship.
And while the scars of war still remained, the ponies moved on. The many ancient weapons wielded by the commanders of the great war were scattered among the ruins of forgotten cities. Placed in tombs and erased from history as to forget the war.
But as even the princesses of today know; some secrets will never remain buried.