Foals of Eden

by SulliedInk

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Adventure
Length: 2990

Horus and Saevin must ensure pony kind never repeats the same mistakes again.

Long ago, in a far away land, the alicorn people, portrayed as a sacred race by the ponies of the mortal world, lived peacefully, and prospered in masses. Their contributions to the world where essential, and eventually became part of the mortal ponies' cultures. One day however, all of this came to an end. The mortals grew jealous, and eventually envious of their superiors. All of the pony kind was trapped in bloody conflicts of unimaginable proportions. Everyone sought the same thing; Eden, sacred land of the deities above. To the mortals, the alicorns were the closest to the gods. Unwilling to give in, the alicorns were eradicated by the other three tribes. Once the tempest had passed, the tribes realized they sealed their own fate, by destroying their only key to this promised land. Furious, unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies alike blamed each other, and began hacking one another once more. Torn apart by centuries of war, it would take another millennium before six brave representatives of each tribes set aside their own differences, and joined forces as one. The rest is history. These tales of bloody conflict were forgotten by most, leaving but bare bones of a once glorious dream. Eden had never seemed so far away. Yet in the hearts of the wise, the immortal guardians Equestria, a dark reality persisted; history will always repeat itself.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-05-12 20:31:12 UTC

Story of Eden

This is a story passed down from generation to generation, remembered amongst the wise-men of the world. Some debate whether or not these events were true. Others know for a fact that all this has happened. These tales, long lost in obscurity, are only the begging of what would soon ensue. The Story of Eden was just a prelude to their birth. Some may wonder what the Story of Eden was. It all began long ago, in a primitive world, where heaven wasn't too far above their reach.

***

Long ago, before ponies developed civilizations and molded the world in their hooves, there were others. It all happened long ago, when the mortals were still running wild and free across the diverse, uncharted world. Above the world was an outer heaven, another world some might say. No matter what they tried, none of the three races could ever reach it. One day, a star fell from the night skies above; a tear fallen from the eyes of Eden, touched by this beautiful world below.

From that tear emerged a being of gold. The equine creature spreads open its wings majestically in a display of beauty, to show what these mortals had missed all this time. His fur coat shone brighter than the sun of noon; his sapphire mane twinkled like stars in the wind. He had not a bump between those ears, but a sharp, long horn. The mortals dared not touch, nor even ask why some parts of his skin glowed. In truth, they were no more than mere pieces of armor, strapped around his forelegs and neck.

Everyone cowered in awe before this creature sent from the heavens. Touched by this display of humility, the winged equine raised his head, and fired a large beam of gold. Eden's tears fell in masses, and from each cocoon of light emerged another winged individual. They all raised their horns to the sky, and chanted a heartwarming tune of old, passed down through generations.

White particles twinkled down earthward, entering in contact with all the ponies of the world. This powder stuck onto their dirty coats, and soon hastened the growth of special members. While some received feathered wings, and others horns, a certain group never obtained anything. Their superiors looked down upon the "defects", and cast a spell upon them. Thou shalt have the strength of a mighty river, the courage of the rampant tiger, and the slots necessary to one day evolve into greater beings.

And so, unexpected visitors from above helped hasten a process nature would've completed in many millenia. And so were born the unicornus, pegasus, and terra caballus. After accelerating their physical growth, the celestial equines realized an important flaw; their lack of comprehension. Benevolent as always, they gifted them with ancient knowledge they once had to earn themselves. Even if all this spanned many decades, the tears of Eden had all the time in the world. When one tear evaporated into the mists of time, another fell. They dragged the mortals across the world and taught them much knowledge. Filled by all this new information, the mortals nicknamed their superiors ala-cornus, or alicorn for short. Little did the alicorns know, they were training their greatest enemy.

Many millenia had past, when one day; the tribes wondered why they had to be different. They looked at one another, and wondered why they didn't have wings, horns, or even both! Those once innocent eyes bred something new to the alicorns; envy.

Soon after, the earth ponies noticed their peers' weaker physiques, and began exploiting those very flaws. Their displays of raw strength and endurance increased their morale exponentially. Earth ponies soon held events where the horns of unicorns and wings of pegasi were stripped of their capabilities, leaving them no other option but to fight with their bare hooves. From all these competitive battles, pride was born on the earth pony side, and wrath first appeared within their opponents.

The unicorns, bred in wealthy environments, found joy in eating. They possessed both the resources and the time to make different meals. However, while they enjoyed feasts and parties, the remaining two races starved. They sought jobs amongst the unicorns, willing to do anything for bits of money. While their "slaves" cooked and cleaned, the unicorns sat around all day, unwilling to move. For the first time, a display of sloth arose amongst the mortals.

These rich equines felt extreme pleasures in eating food. Their race fattened, while everyone else starved. This was the first time alicorns saw gluttony in the creatures they created and educated.

The earth ponies and pegasi, on the other hand, held every penny close to them, unwilling to share. They lost all charitable feelings towards one another, eventually driving them down the road to greed.

Many female ponies saw other ways to make some dough. Quickly, they went beyond the principles of "relationships", "attractions", and "commitment". They sought to trigger these feelings of love between the ponies for pure pleasure. Wearing very kinky attires in the streets, many females attracted other colts into dark alleyways, the birthplace of lust.

These seven feelings evolved into greater conflicts. Each knife has two sides, and so do mortals. They gathered what they already knew, and created tools with one specific goal; to kill. It was an arms race between the three races, as tensions skyrocketed through the roof. Even with all this knowledge, one question remained; why should the alicorns be the superior ones?

They turned their heads towards the sky. Far above the clouds, there was a land their "superiors" once inhabited. Eden, they all thought. If they came from above with all this knowledge, then all their knowledge must have originated from above. Long ago, the alicorns had cast away their home into another plane of existence. But the mortals never stopped believing in gods. To them, the alicorns weren't so "holy" anymore. They just had both distinguishing features.

One thing remained certain however; if the alicorns had ll this knowledge, and were able to pass as holy, then they must have been in contact with the gods. Mortals from around the globe took arms, ready to beat their secrets out of them. Alicorns never saw something of this magnitude come their way.They always though history would never repeat itself, that they were careful never to make the same mistakes again. But they were wrong.

It took no more than a few decades of bloody wars to greatly reduce alicorn numbers. The elders of the race looked above their heads, and though: they really aren't so different from us after all... One day, the alicorns, completely vanished just as they came. The mortals looked down at their hooves soiled in blood. They had just executed the first genocide of their existence.

Rumors fired up faster than geezers. once thing was certain; the alicorns vanished. Just around that time, a violent snowstorm swept the worlds. Crops rotted, homes collapsed, and resources vanished. Furious at one another, the three tribes went at it, and launched deadly weapons, systematically wiping one another out, along with most of their prior achievements and technologies.

These wars devolved into primitive fighting, until the tribes tip-toed on a fine line between life and death. Eternal snows buried almost all they had achieved, while war destroyed the rest. They had so little left, they attempted isolating themselves for comfort. It was unsuccessful in the end. The once majestic unicorns could barely trots, their legs thin as bone. The pegasi's featherless wings and bone-tight skin dangled in the cold winds. The earth ponies, once known for their majestic physique, weren't able to survive either. Their members were so stiff, they couldn't even bend anymore.

Often times would ponies eat one another. On the streets, colts, fillies and foals alike tore ope the frail bodies of unsuspecting passerby. Their teeth pierced through oozing flesh, dripping of black slime.

Tired of this oppression, six ponies, two of every race, galloped away in search of new land. Once they found a decent land to live in, they were once again trapped in an age old feud. If they died, they knew their race would die out too. Maybe we weren't meant to be on this earth. Everyone had entirely forgotten about the alicorns. Once their presence and knowledge had been erased, everything about them was gone.

Near death, three of the representative, one of every race, crawled towards the imaginary boundaries of this new land, and reached out their lacerated, bone-thin hooves towards each other. In one final act of peace, their love and respect towards one another sparked a great flame, melting away the hate-filled ice. Once thawed out, the other representatives saw their friends' corpse next to each other holding hooves. They finally understood their final act, and gave them a proper burial in the center of this new place; Equestria. The rest, as they say, is history.

And so ends the once eternal struggle for an absolution called Eden. The ponies' hate had shattered, replaced by undeniable respect and love towards each other. The green grass grows in Equestria. The birds sing and chat, as life carries on its cycle. However, amongst educated scholars and elders alike, one concrete reality remained; history always repeats itself.

Road to Ponyville

Far away, in the distant horizon, there was a small town called Ponyville. It was a peaceful place where those tired of busy city lives settled. There, Princess Celestia's most faithful disciple carried out her tranquil existence. Sure, she had saved Equestria a couple times with her friends, but that was a couple years ago.

Her latest assignment was to research Equestria's ancient history. Only Celestia would've ordered such a strange assignment, she thought. The monarch said she entrusted her with keys to an ancient vault, located deep beneath the castle. She said there were ancient texts buried there. "But Celestia," asked Twilight. "Why can't you go?" The princess reminded her student of all the incoming paperwork she faced. "Besides, I didn't create that place. I only know it exists. One of my ancestors must have built it." replied the alicorn of the sun.

Celestia had ancestors huh... Maybe there's a whole family of alicorns out there? I wonder what they were like? Exited by her tutor's stunning revelation, she packed a few supplies, and went to gather her friends. Outside, someone screamed for help before she could even take a deep breath. Lyra had her tail crushed by debris from Sugarcube corner. Of course, though Twilight, she must have forgotten we were renovating the place.

As Twilight dashed to help, she was halted by a colt she had never seen before. His coat... It's almost as creamy as the desert sand. His mane is unusually bright, twinkling like sunshine off ocean waves. I've never seen a colt bearing those colors before. Her attention was caught by his cutie mark. What is that?

The mark on his flank was that of the Eye of Horus, an ancient deity of the lands of sand. He raised his head, and the debris floated off the ground enveloped in a golden bubble. The colt placed the stone back. Simultaneously, a bubble covered Lyra's crushed tail, and restored it anew.

No way! A unicorn using two channels of magic at once! That's insane! The only person I've seen doing this is Celestia. But she's... She's an alicorn! He turned around. The same black Eye had been drawn around the colt's right eye. Twilight unexpectedly blushed. What the..? Why am I blushing? No... I'm not blushing! This feeling... What powerful magic!

"Oh! Sorry I stopped you there." he said in a fully developed voice. At least I know he ain't a kid... "Say... Are you Twilight Sparkle?"

"Why yes I am!" said stuttered. Why am I getting worked up over him? Is it a love charm? I don't feel a charm. And why do I keep staring at his back, like something's missing from there? Gyah!

"- Uh, Ms. Sparkle, you seem to be in a lot of pain.

Oh dear no! Sorry for acting so strange! Hehe..."

The colt looked around. "You can feel it can't you?" What?! How does he know?! He sighed. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble. Nevertheless, I expected nothing less from a legendary wizard like you." What does that even mean?!

"- Anyways, I'm trying to find a certain "Celestia". Do you know anyone like that?

Why yes! She's the alicorn ruler of Equestria! And, she's my tutor!"

`

The colt bore a startled expression on his face. "Did you say alicorn?!" Twilight replied she was positive. Why does he seem... Is he horrified or exited? I can't tell. "You can take a train to Canterlot."

"- Unfortunately, I don't know where the train station is, and I am to weary to keep going today. Where may I find a place to rest?

Here, walk with me and I'll show you."

That feeling's gone now! Was that a defense mechanism? I felt a mix of fear, alert an love. What’s wrong me today?! "So, you figured out my defense magic haven't you?" Twilight stopped dead in her tracks. "How did you..." The colt put his hood over her mouth. "I got used to it. From where I come from, any and everyone can be a threat. That's why I've developed this spell. Seeing your expression loosen means you've cracked the code and broken through. By then, I knew you weren't a threat."

"- That’s amazing… Euh… You are?

Oh sorry. My name is Horus. Please to meet you.

Horus? Your parents must have been very creative to name you after an ancient deity. No offense or anything.

Meh... I got used to it. Tell me, is this town peaceful?

Yeah! Of course!

That’s good to hear."

Horus deactivated his defense spell. "Now you can feel whatever you want to feel in front of me." And hopefully, you won't see the truth. Gyah! It feels so weird having an empty back. I can still feel the bones, but they're not controlling anything.

"Are you alright Horus?" she asked. He looked up surprised. "Yeah, sure! Lead the way." They first stopped at Carousel Boutique. "Why are we here Twilight?"

"To get that black makeup off your face." Horus became very defensive. "Are you insane?! This is a birthmark! It symbolizes the hope of my kind! "

Startled at his behavioral change, Twilight assured him it was just a mistake. What the... His attitude just changed like that! Might as well fetch Rarity at this point. She knocked. A marshmallow white unicorn answered. Her eyelashes too lengthy to be real, her face gained an extra layer of skin from all that makeup and her violet mane swirled like spirals. Yet somehow, she seemed very attractive, but Horus wasn't interested.

"My! Is that a new visitor in town? Come in gentle-sir; be my guest." Rarity showed him in.

"You mean be our guest!" added Sweetie Belle as she hopping home back from school, rubbing softly against her older sister. Rarity knelt it compassion, and snuggled her junior. "Yes Sweetie Belle; be our guest!"

"You're being awfully nice Rarity..." added Twilight herself. "Why yes," replied Rarity. " I want our guest to feel welcome. Oh! I should Pinkie Pie so she can throw you a party!"

"Sorry, not interested." replied Horus. "It's been much too long since I've had any proper social interactions."

"That’s why it will be so much better! Clear your head a little." With the help of Twilight, Rarity dragged the sand-colored colt inside. "You really need to relax dear." No, I have a mission! If this Celestia really is an alicorn, then maybe she'll recognized the Centennial Earth shard! "Don't give me that face. Lighten up dear."

"Be a gentleman," whispered Twilight into his ear, "or she loses it."

I've murdered dragons before, why couldn't I handle her? He saw a bottle of what looked like poison in the corner of his eye. Oh dear! She's could sprinkle it on her dresses and make me wear them. That would be the most humiliating way for someone like me to die. "Alright fine! I accept. I still need a place to sleep at." You guys are way too friendly. What if danger disguised itself as a lamb, just to eat the rest of the pack?

"It's settled then!" exclaimed Twilight. F no Twilight, don't tell me you agree to her evil scheme. "I'll go make a list of preparations for this party then!" What is with these people?! Geez! How in the world can you be this friendly? I should've kept my spell on!

Moments later, a pink earth pony busted down the front door shouting: "Did someone say a party?!" she screamed in a shrill, squeaky voice. Gah! It sounds like someone scratching metal against a blackboard! "Let's celebrate!" Buck no! Are you ponies just stalling?!

"What's with the long face dear?" asked Rarity. "It’s nothing really," replied Horus. "I just... Have a friend... He's a silver-colored pegasus. I think he's in town, and he should really be at the party too." Yes, I'll drag Saevin down with me! He's got no leads without me anyways. "Alright then, I'll tell Pinkie she'll be celebrating the arrival of two ponies." I wondered why not many people move here. Now, I've found my answer.

Horus got up and walked towards the stairs. On the second floor, he contemplated the sunset on Ponyville. These people look really happy here. I wonder if they're even aware of the legends? His horn illuminated in a pale glow. Large, golden wings sprouted out his back. Finally! I'm free! Horus flapped his gorgeous muscles. Large feathers fell to the floor nearby. He never heard Twilight's silent tiptoe behind him.