A Search in the Darkness

Chapter 4: 5000 Years of history

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“The Titan War began nearly 5000 years ago. It is war that encompasses nearly the entire galaxy with 3 species being at the center of it. The Tharovak, the Kareen, and the Humans. The humans are the ones who we came to Equis that day. The war started in the year 5004 A.D. in the human calendar which is roughly the year A.N. in the pony calendar.” Now the ponies were looking at some beetle-like creature. “The Tharovak Empire had existed for many years. Some ponies believe even before the dawn of the Human or Kareen civilizations. Their own home planet is speculated to have been situated in the void between the Sagittarius and Orion arms.” The voice said as the image focused on a portion marked a small gap between 2 large bangs of white. “This species of insectoids operate under a hive mind which has prevented crime, rebellions, or even enmity between their people. However because of this they have come to see species that do not share this communication as beings of lesser intelligence and unfit to live. When they stumbled upon the Council of Free Species, a union of sorts founded by humanity and many other species long ago, they invaded Council space to continue the very successful genocidal campaign they’d been waging. Directing a giant fleet at the center of the Orion arm which held most of Council space, they caught the peaceful and prosperous alliance off guard. The entire Western border of Council space was taken before a response could be readied by the Council. They sent out envoys to meet these outside forces, but none returned and were presumed dead. The fleets all moved in to hopefully quickly remove this unfamiliar foe. What they found horrified them. Planet glassing, unrestricted bioweapon usage, horrible torturing procedures and others were utilized by the invading Tharovak. Methods that had been banned by the Council of Free Species long ago. The resulting battles were harsh, especially to the Council who had little to no military tech or experience after nearly 5000 years of peace. The first few months forced the Council to learn very quickly. Many years would pass with the Council’s defensive line being established just over a thousand light years away from the Council’s Capital. However Council forces would always be at a disadvantage. Many among the Tharovak were called psykers. It was for their ability to affect the thaumic energies surrounding them. The Council had not a single species that could bend these thaumic energies to their will. They hadn’t even known that thaumic energies existed until meeting the Tharovak. With a losing navy and constant battling on Western front, the last thing they needed was another enemy. However this exactly would happen. When a Council ship discovered unknown ship activity in the Northeastern border, they sent a fleet to remove their presence there. What they found were ships they’d never seen before. These ships were of the Kareen Empire. A rapidly expanding empire in the Orion’s eastern edge with a ‘join or die’ philosophy. When the Tharovak sent a portion of their navy to swing around to surround the Council species, they came into contact with the Kareen. Fighting quickly broke out between the two forces without the Council noticing a change. The Kareen had gone northwest to remove the Tharovak presence there and found the council ships. Nobody knows who started the battle. Some say it was the Council fleet that detected Psykers onboard the Kareen ships and opened fire. Others believe it was the Kareen ships who had been ordered to ‘Eliminate all possible alien forces.’ The battle left the Kareen retreating however it wouldn’t stay that long. The Kareen made a large offensive into Council Forces opening a second front for the battle weary Council Navy. Having taken casualties that were too high early on, the Council realized they weren’t going to win the war. When only the Human portion of Council space was left standing they made plans for an escape. Rigging Starbases all across the Human colonies they assembled a large military fleet out of all of the remaining Council ships and an even larger civilian fleet to escort. The explosions of their various Starbases gave the Council ships the time and space they needed to escape the encroaching empires. Regrouping in the Perseus arm they decided to dissolve the Council. It stood as a beacon of hope during peacetime, but had hindered them during the war. It also was a form of government that was very ant expansionist. However to fight the Tharovak and the Kareen they needed to attain as many resources as they could. When they broke the Council, they created the Human Empire. Only the Humans had a sizeable existing population anymore with and with 99% of the species of the original Council being placed on the dangerous species the Humans disassembled the same Council that they’d tried so hard to create. Almost immediately they began establishing their territory. Within 700 years they had control of the entire Perseus and Outer Arms. However even this is small in comparison to other Titan races which have divvied the rest of the galaxy up nearly exactly in half. There has been a lull in the fighting however all 3 sides are preparing their armies and it’s only a matter of time before the fighting will break out more devastating than ever.”

Luna stated the line, her voice matching the others. “You did a good job with that crash course.”

“It was just something I put together in a few minutes,” Harmony said.

“Nonetheless, It exceeded all of my expectations, of course they’ll have to learn a lot more before they can make a life here in the Celestial Empire,” the Princess added.

“I’ve been meaning to ask about that. I mean…wow. The world’s changed so much. Heck, it’s not even the world to all of you anymore. It’s more of a galaxy… or even the universe. I don’t know how I’ll be able to make a living here anymore,” Twilight explained as both of her friends nodded sadly. “I mean. I don’t think we’re even the Elements anymore.”

“Ah! But that’s what I was going to talk to you about,” Luna exclaimed. She began “For 4000 years we haven’t had any Elements of Harmony. They stopped working after you 3 disappeared. You still hold the same connection however. I want you three to find the Elements of Kindness, Generosity, and Laughter. If you can find them…maybe we can end this madness once and for all.”

The idea of another adventure brightened the 3 up. However Applejack found a problem. “Y’all said that it isn’t just Equis anymore, but a bunch of dem colonies. I don’t think we’ll be able to get through a single city if Canterlot is any standard.”

“Don’t worry. The connection to the Elements seems to pass down their genes. We’ve already locked it down a few candidates across the empire. And of course you’ll get your own ship for your mission. It’s one of the fastest ships in the navy,” she said causing Rainbow’s ears to perk up. “It’s a Loyalty class scout frigate. The Rainbow Dash, I believe it’s called.”