Equestria: Barbarian Invasion

By Cobrawolf_Meiji2012

Prologue

For over a thousand years, the land of Equestria knew peace. Ever since the defeat of Nightmare Moon, the ponies of Equestria have lived in peace. An era known as the Pax Equestria was a time when ponies did not fear any danger coming to destroy the harmony of the land. All ponies prospered, bits flowed freely, food filled the bellies of many ponies. Everypony lived in peace and harmony.

Outside of Equestria’s borders, many races still fought with each other. The Griffins, a Warlike race part feline, part bird of prey. They were predatory in nature, divided into clans. the Griffins fight among themselves and any enemy that threatens them.

The Diamond Dogs, living underground, they do not care for what happens above them, only to mine for gems and valuable metals like gold, silver and iron. Some Diamond Dog clans live in Equestria, digging under the hoofs of the ponies.

The Minotaurs, Powerful warriors and hard headed. They believe in asserting themselves. Strong and powerful, they are masters of the battle-ax and deadly in a fight.

The Zebras, Mysterious and strange to ponies, they live in tribes and are well known to be the best herbalists in the known world. While the tribes do sometimes fight among themselves, they tend to settle their disputes peacefully and are generally friendly.

The Centaurs and Gargoyles, The first time these two races were encountered was when Tirek and Scorpan came into Equestria to steal the magic from Ponies. Scorpan later turned on his ‘brother’ when he made friends with Starswirl The Bearded. Tirek was later captured and sent to Tartarus, that was until he escaped and was defeated again. little is known about these two races save for that they worship the moon and that the name ‘Triek’ is common as it is the name of ‘Tirek the Great’ a King Priest who fought against a pony tribe in the First Age.

The Dragons, giant flying reptiles that breath fire. The Dragon Clans are divided, but the Clan chieftains meet once a year at Dragon Mount to discuss everything from hunting raids in Equestria to politics and warfare between clans.

The horses and camels of Saddle Arabia, once divided into tribes, they were united under the rule of the House of Al Sadl. they worship one god known to them as Allah. They are great warriors in their homeland and once had an empire that extended into southern Equestria.

The Bison, a race of proud bovine who wander the plains of the Mild West. they are peaceful unless provoked. They live simply, moving from place to place.

Then there are the Changelings, a race of shapeshifters who feed on the emotions of ponies, mainly love. Chrysalis, Queen of the Mariposa Swarm, seeks to conquer Equestria it self and be the most powerful of the Swarm Queens.

Inside Equestria, there are races like the Donkeys, the Breezes, The Goats and other races who live in peace with the Ponies. This made for a very interesting mix in the culture of Equestria.

Despite the Pax Equestria, a few crises did happen, such as Nightmare Moon’s Return, Discord’s return, The Invasion of Canterlot by The Changelings, the reappearance of The Crystal Empire and Tirek’s escape. Bust these were all handled with ease and the peace continued.

But then there were the rumors......

The Zebras told of two tribes in the south of their lands, these tribes raid into the lands of the Zebra from time to time, but the Zebras have been able to drive them back. From the East, pony sailors told about the island of Neghpon and it’s odd inhabits, these stories have been called mythical.

But the tales from pony scholars studying the Centaurs, Gargoyles and Bison state one thing these three races have said: ‘Beware those from Beyond the Horizon.” To many in Equestria and neighboring lands, they were nothing but tales to scare ponies.

Also being ignored were tales told by explores such as Daring Do. tales of strange races, civilizations unlike any known in the known world. Even tales from those who went beyond the known world told of dangers and races that would be regarded by all in Equestria as moonbeams and myths. Tall tales to many who thought that there was nothing beyond the peace and harmony of Equestria and the known world. Many were laughed off as crackpots. So it was that the ponies continued to go about their business, farming, trading, buying and selling.

It is in the nature of many ponies to ignore what is beyond the horizon. content with their lives that they would ignore anything from beyond the known world. Yet the signs were there. the Bison were the first to start acting up. Ponies in Appleloosa told many that the bison tribe that lived near the town were preparing for a war. Many thought it was against another Bison herd, since warfare between herd did occur from time to time.

Then came reports of outposts being attacked. All that was found were dead bodies and evidence of the outposts being sacked! In the south. Isolated jungle farms and towns were attacked, no survivors. Close to the Crystal Empire, Travelers told of sightings of strange groups, riding on odd beasts heading south towards Equestria’s northern frontier.

Near the Coastline. sighting of strange ships with the heads of dragons on their bows were being reported. along with reports of attacks by pirates of unknown origin. The Zebra tribes were sending Warriors south, saying that the two tribes they fought before were starting to raid into their lands again.

Even Discord felt something wrong, noting a odd feeling of chaos all around the known world. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna also felt that something was going on. A storm was coming that would challenge everything we knew. It would come from beyond the known world and it would give Equestria a rude awakening that would become a nightmare.

That nightmare was the Barbarian Invasion.

-Twilight Sparkle, Princess of the Rainbow Friendship Kingdom, Year 57 of the Fourth Age.

Author's Note

and So it begins. I hope you like the Prologue. more will be written soon