The Last Songs of Empire: Child of Shadows

The Last Songs of Empire: Child of Shadows

Recounted Tales of the Life and Times of Black Bramble

Pax Equine

Equestria is the greatest empire to date. It has lasted for more than two thousand years. Since the birth of the Great Sisters it has flourished vibrantly. Spanning entire continents, this grand state has become an indivisible kingdom of peace. Since its annexation of the Crystal Empire and the apotheosis of Twilight Sparkle – Equestria has become formidable. I have at last come to peace with an existence, and I have found confidence in Equestria’s monarchs…

…

This diary is the culmination of my life’s journey, an epic which spans a great length of time. My memory is vaster than most mortals have time for in their lives, so to benefit the ever-deathers I will abbreviate my life’s story the best I can. Of course, I will explain any major gaps, or jumps that my story might take; and will introduce key moments and highlights, well and bad, throughout my experience.

My name is Black Bramble, but officially it's First Moonchild, or at least that is the closest translation of it. The title of First Moonchild was graciously bestowed upon me by the Titan Ents of the Beginning, over eighteen thousand years ago. Since then I have acquired many other names; each incurring its own chapter in my vast lifetime.

I am a witness… bystander, to empire after empire. I am the one who heard the final songs of their populace - the fables and stories of their demise. My memory includes empires which have no remaining evidence upon the Earth, all history erased but the traces that remain within me.

…

There was a time before Equestria, long before the two sisters… long before even their progenitors. It was a time of spectacular empires and species. I am among the few remnants of these great times… not even Discord himself remembers them.

I have noticed, over my life span, that Discord is prone to memory loss, and he has never been a confidant of mine. I probably should use a memory incantation on him one of these days…

For the first time in my life, I will expose myself to the world at large. Previously, I shifted through existence like a granule through a grate - unnoticed, and barley touched. Hiding in the shadows, isolated, alone; adapting myself to the contemporary regime – blending in with the ‘native’ population that surrounded me.

Here is my story.