The Nightmare Era

A/N: I'm currently have in some writer's block on the latest chapter, but this Interlude is plot related...eventually.

The Petty Kingdoms Period

The major provinces of Equestria as they are currently organized date back to the Petty Kingdoms period of the Post-Classical Era. 600 years after the foundation of Equestria, a period of civil unrest and political instability, led to the fracturing of the First Realm of Equestria into various warring petty Kingdoms. Though the size, number and powers of the Petty Kingdoms varied through various years, some lasting no longer than their rulers, the Major Powers of this period were: The Kingdoms of Canterlot, Trotain, Prance, Sphayn, Germaneigh, The Archduchy of Horstria, the Ottomane Empire and The Principality of Everfree. For another 640 years these Petty Kingdoms fought for Hegemony over the whole of Equestria. However this opened the way for the Discord to conquer the Realm of Equestria and begin the Discordant Era. When Discord fell at the Hands of their Serene Highnesses Celestia and Luna, the whole of Equestria was once again united under the banner of the Royal Pony Sisters in the Second Realm of Equestria.

-Excerpt from "The Chronicle of Equestria."

Dreamer's Interlude 01

The Ottomane Provinces, Unknown Location

In a secluded little corner of the Equestrian Frontier lay a little cottage. Outside a filly, however because of the lack of a proper term please read that as teenager, walked up to the cottage and opening the door called out to her parents inside.

"Mom! Dad!" she called walking inside the door and closing it behind her and then hanging her cloak and saddlebag on the hook on the door. "I'm home!" Walking into the small library "Mom?" she called again when she didn't hear a reply, "Dad? Are you home?"

"Out back Mia!" called a older male voice from the back of the cottage and the young pony now known by you as Mia, to me a completely different name that I will reveal at a later date maybe, walked outside to a small field where her parents, two unicorns like herself, were standing side by side watching a bale of hay some distance from the cottage. When she came out her parents turned to her with a loving smile on their face.

"Hello Mia, how was Canterlot?" her mother asked as her father concentrated to cast another spell.

"It was fine, though they insist on Gran Equus." she said as the boss bounced from the impact of a projectile, walking up to her father she asked, "Practising the Archery Spell?" as her father prepared another shot.

"Yes," answered her Father as he let another conjured arrow fly towards the boss. Cursing when it missed Mia's father conjured another arrow, "Gran Equus you say?" he asked letting loose his arrow, "Well Tyran always had a flair for the dramatic." Looking at his daughter he smiled, "Do you want to take a shot at it?" Gesturing at the boss at the other end of the field. Looking at her mother who nodded Mia smiled at her father and nodded. Thankfully, the Archery Spell was relatively easy to learn, but more difficult to master. Basically, it is a more refined version of the standard Spellbolt in that where that spell is more of a blunt impact, the Archery Spell is more precise and accurate.

Concentrating, Mia conjured a bolt of magical energy and refined it until it was the shape of a true arrow and when she had achieved that shape focused on the boss and let the arrow fly. Unfortunately, immense focus was required to aim at the target and yet keep the shape. Loosing her focus, she let the arrow loose early and looked disappointed as it struck short of the boss with a loud thud instead of the characteristic thump of a arrow. Turning towards her father, he just had a soft smile on his face who stroked her mane comfortingly. "Don't worry you'll get it eventually lets keep practising."

Nightmare's Interlude 01

Gran Equus, The New Citadel, Chevalier's Chamber

In the city of Gran Equus stood the imposing New Citadel, withing it massive halls and rather spartan corridors was found the nerve-centre of the Chevalier Order. From this massive structure the Grandmaster of the Order, Jade Tyran, ruled over the whole of the Realm of Equestria. Since the Cataclysm he has ruled Equestria with a Iron Fist over the Unicorn Enchanters and a Velvet Glove over the civilian populace. However, in truth underneath the facade of unity and strength that projected from Gran Equus throughout the realm of Equestria, several of the far flung provinces were bordering on open revolt and rumours of a secession and civil war were rife.

As for the Grandmaster himself he was currently ensconced with his closest advisors on the precarious situation of the realm's unity. "What news from Trotain?" he asked staring at the map with a apprehensive look. Nervously his advisors shifted uncomfortably eyeing eachother to see who would report on the situation of Equestria's largest island Province. Eyeing his advisors in turn Tyran asked again, "Well? What news from Trotain?" eventually a pony stood and began to speak.

"Sir, Trotain is in open revolt." he began slowly gauging the Chevalier's reaction before continuing, "The rebels have overtaken the garrison in Lundy and have let loose the Enchanters." Looking around the table he opened his mouth to continue, but was interrupted by the Grandmaster.

"Have all of Trotain placed under interdict." He announced and immediately whispers began among those at the tables, even the guards shared a shocked look. You see placing a city under interdict was to send a full battalion of Archangels to purge the city of all Unicorns and Nightmares as well as arrest any aiders and abetters. To have an entire province placed under interdict was unheard of and one Stallion was brave, or foolish its hard to say, enough to express this sentiment.

"Grandmaster," he began adopting a somewhat deferential pose, "Are you sure that's wise? Placing all of Trotain under interdict may just exacerbate the situation, we still have Chevalier's in Marechester, perhaps they could quell this rio-" However he was interrupted by Tyran who slammed is hoof on the table shocking those present.

"We must not show any leniency towards these now Heretics!" he shouted with all the fervour somepony would expect from the Grandmaster of the Chevalier's. "If even one of them escapes we will have a nightmare on our hands!" Glaring at all in the Room he continued. "Place ALL of Trotain under interdict!" His advisors nodded and intoned, "Yes Grandmaster." Nodding Tyran dismissed his advisors and walked the halls of the New Citadel towards his personal chambers. On the way he met the Grand Enchantress of the Gran Equus Silver Moon.

"Grandmaster." she greeted bowing before the de-facto regent of the Realm. "I trust the situation in Trotain is under control?"

Nodding Tyran answered, "Yes the whole of Trotain is placed under interdict until the crisis has passed." Turning towards the Unicorn he continued, "I trust you have no objections?"

Shaking her head the Enchantress followed the Chevalier, "Of course not Grandmaster, you only wish what is best for Equestria after all."

"As I always have," nodded Tyran, "Tell me Enchantress, have you discovered the spell that raises the sun and moon?"

A sorrowful look passed on Silvermoon's face, "No Grandmaster, with much of the Archives lost in the Cataclysm, it is impossible to determine what spell was used by their Serene Highnesses." But gazing for but a second out the window. "However,"

"However what?" asked Tyran glancing behind him to the Enchantress.

Turning back towards Tyran Silvermoon continued, "However a expedition to the ancient Pony Kingdoms in the north may shed some light on the ritual used by our Ancestors to raise the sun and moon."

Rubbing his chin for a while he looked at the Enchantress, "Very well you will take a expedition to the lands of our ancestors," he raised his hoof when the Enchantress opened her mouth to thank him, "BUT, you will be accompanied by a full battalion of Chevaliers and a squad of Archangels, as an escort of couse, is that clear?" A look of rage appeared on the Enchantress's face, but disappeared in a second and Silvermoon bowed to Tyran.

"Of course Grandmaster, crystal."

Nodding Tyran entered his personal chambers, "It is imperative that you find this spell Silvermoon, gone are the days we rely on the gods." With that the two great doors were closed leaving the Enchantress alone in the halls. Turning and walking to her own chambers a malevolent smirk appeared on her face.

'Oh don't worry when I done the "gods" will be a distant memory.' she thought malevolently as she returned to her personal chambers.