Equestria has long been known as a bastion of peace, a realm where tolerance and kindness preside over it's expanse and in its denizen's hearts.

But sadly, during an age long since obscured by the sands of time, a black smog of darkness once hung low throughout the now tranquil fields and forests. In a time before the founding of Canterlot, before Star Swirl the Bearded, before Celestia and Luna…
there was the dominion of Mord.

A creature of pure darkness, the embodiment of anti life. An Alicorn who's very presence could sew rot and corruption into anything it chose to rest it's hollow gaze upon. It's power over life saw the realm choked with decay for an era that lasted far too long. Ponies of those times called them the Dark Ages.

With wicked intent and malevolence, it sought to extinguish all life using it's twisted powers of undeath. There was no escape from it's touch, a curse beyond the grave that reanimated the corpses of those felled by it's terrible wrath, their bodies no longer their own. Sibling fought sibling, loved ones were dragged away by gnarled hooves… some the most horrific of stories and myths come from those times, many of them bearing a sickening core of truth.

As though the planet itself sought an antibody for it's wretched infection, two special individuals were chosen from the ponies of those times to become great Avatar's of balance, to hold within them the cycle of life and continuity; They became known as Celestia and Luna, the living manifestations of day and night.

Their resolve to free ponies from horrific oppression eventually saw to the demise of Mord. Or at least so it is said… for no pony truly knows where it came to rest upon it's defeat, when it's undead vessels fell lifelessly to the floor like puppets with severed strings. None the less, Celestia and Luna were victorious and the ponies they protected gave praise to the mercy they had been granted.

Canterlot was founded not long after those events, with many wards and means of protection weaved into it's architecture. Should Mord ever return, they would be ready this time… but it never did. It's absence brought about an age of prosperity as Celestia and Luna breathed life and love back into the heart of the land… aided by many champions and one other mysterious pony who was often seen at their side… but little is known of him. As the ever marching motion of time eventually heals all ills, the reign of Mord became forgotten, at least by all save two ponies, yet they had both agreed to never let it's name be spoken again.

Many other ponies fought bravely during those times and throughout the ages also. Heroes and Heroines both, they helped shape their future with strength, will and determination uncommon to most.
With either stoic resolve or an acceptance of responsibility thrust upon them, their stories became immortalised in the great halls beneath Canterlot, their actions a pillar upon which todays peace now rests, when once the eye's of the world looked to them for help.

Now though, those eyes would turn to another such pony… a pony unique and unlike any other in all history. The knights and protectors from ages past might have wrinkled their muzzle a little at just how different he is in fact…
In a world of magic and tradition, this particular pony thinks with numbers and machines. He see's the world as a puzzle, a web work of questions and enigmas to which there is always an answer. His unacceptance that things "just are as they are" is the reason the world may now need him more than any other pony.
He's a trouble maker though, make no mistake… yet in times to come, Equestria may come to learn that it sometimes takes the ponies that think on the outside to make all the difference.

His name is Cogs, a little Engineer from Canterlot who's musings and inventions have carved him a reputation throughout Equestria. Not always in the best way mind, but he is well known none the less.
For in a world so vulnerable to a returning evil, only the one who can see beyond darkness can ever hope to be able to fight it.

This is the story, of the 'Forge Master of Equestria'.