The Ages of Equus

by Jed R

Rating: mature
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure, Tragedy, Discord, Princess Celestia, Dark, Alternate Universe, Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna, Gore, Original Character
Length: 13332

There were two. Born but a few mortal years apart, they were unique. They would shape ten thousand years of history, for good or ill...

We all know about the Equestria of today - the place of peace and Harmony, ruled by its benevolent Diarchs, Celestia and Luna. But this is a land with a history, a history often unexplored - before the peaceful times of now, there was a time of horror, bloodshed, death and worse.

There were wars, mad kings and Emperors, false Gods, real Gods and things worse still. It was an age where two young Princesses, the first of their kind and the heralds of what was to come, would find themselves forced to be more than mere rulers - they would need to be warriors, diplomats... leaders.

It was thought that we already knew the worst of these tests.

We did not.

***

An account of the Ages of Equus: with the help of RoyalPsycho, The Void and others, this story will serve to flesh out the Equestria that is behind many of my stories. The universe presented here is - in theory - canon compliant, but should rightly be considered "AU".

Cheers.

Jed.

PS: Title changed due to it being the same as another, similar in concept, work.

Published 2015-06-23 15:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-12-08 08:13:54 UTC

Chapter One: The Ancient Times.

Chapter One: Ancient Times.

***

The distant past: Before recorded history, before the birth of the two princesses, there was a different age: an age of the Donkey Kingdom, the Asyram Empire, the Draconissian Dynasties, the Horse Lords and the united Pony Order. This age ended with the ascension of the Great Grogar, the annihilation of the Donkey Kingdom, Asyram Empire and the Draconissians, and signalled a change in the world.

***

The End is not the End.

The wind blew.

The world was shattered and broken, and upon a field of tears, where the broken bodies of almost forty thousand Dragons, Rams, Horses, Donkeys and Ponies lay, there was nothing but barren ashes. Far away ocean waters lapped shores that had not existed the day before, flat plains stretched where once there had been mountains and great fields of fire burned on the remains of what were once mighty kingdoms. The world had changed forever, and it seemed as though nothing would ever heal it.

The wind blew, stirring dust and ash and blowing tattered flags in the wind, flapping uselessly in the nothingness. This had been the sight of the last armies of Empires clashing, and had signalled the death of lords and kings, the fall of dominions, and the changing of the face of this world forever.

The wind blew…

And then, from the grey, broken ashes, there came an impossible sight.

A single green shoot slowly sprung from the ground. Its growth seemed fast, but compared to the beauty this land had once known it was slow, and small, and yet here it was: a few more moments passed, and then, impossibly, this single green shoot sprung open into a beautiful, simple daisy, bright and small and fiercely alive.

The wind blew.

***

The year 9,000 BNM (Before Nightmare Moon): Almost ten thousand years after the fall of Grogar, the First Hearth’s Warming Eve and the first founding of Equestria occurs. Around the same time, the child that will become Princess Celestia is born to the union of Prince Titanium, son of Princess Platinum, and Commander Tempest the Half-Blood of the Pegasus Legions - the first of the Alicorns. A few years later, her sister - the child that will become Princess Luna - is also born.

At this time, the Questioners - beings of unknown provenance to Equestria - send one of their own to observe the pony race as the Alicorns begin to play an important role in their kind…

***

Line of InQuiry.

When the Questioner was summoned before his peers, he was surprised to see them showing him that world.

“I’ve been there on occasion,” he said as he watched the little things run around. “Nothing special. Some humans - those guys really do get everywhere - but nothing worthy of our attention.”

“That,” his peers replied, “was then. This is now.”

That got his attention. Rare was the occasion when They talked in linear terms - this, therefore, was something different. He frowned as he paid attention to the little world… and what he saw… surprised him.

There were two. Born but a few mortal years apart, they were unique - one of the many different species on that world was split into three different sub-species: ones with wings, ones with what they dared to term “magic” (the reality was obviously more complicated, but let them think what they want), and the third with no apparent extra abilities, but a considerably higher fortitude. These two, however, shared traits of all three kindreds - and had a great deal more potential power.

“They could become powerful,” he noted absently as he watched.

“Yes,” They said. “They could. They could, in fact, be the beginning of this kind’s Ascension.”

The Questioner frowned as he looked at Them. “That’s a little premature.”

“We’ve learned to be careful with this business,” They replied. “Especially after the incident with 0 and the Tkon some time ago.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” he asked, sighing dramatically.

“No,” They said. “We’re not. You’re to go among that kind. Observe them for as many moments as you think are necessary. When the time is right, test them.”

“A test? For a species whose potential is only just beginning to show?!” he asked, scowling. “Now that’s premature, and this is me talking. They’re medieval. They’re not even medieval - they’re primitives. Just because they have access to those powers...”

“Versions of these two are important,” They interrupted. “We foresee a time when the Children will become involved.”

The Questioner paused. “Then why in the name of us do you want me to be involved? The Children are not our business. You know that better than I do.”

“The Children being involved marks these ones out as ones to watch,” They said. “And so watch them you will.”

“I see,” he said, knowing he didn’t really have a choice in the matter. “And what about if I should find them lacking?”

“Obliterate them utterly,” They ordered immediately. “They cannot be allowed to become a Power if they do not have the maturity to handle the responsibility such a position entails.”

“Gotcha,” the Questioner said. He sighed as they disappeared, leaving him watching over the world. “Now… how do I do this?”

***

8,800 BNM: The First Celestian Age begins. The eldest sister, Celestia, becomes the recognised full Diarch-for-Life of Equestria alongside her sister, though at this time Equestria is much smaller than it will become. Other nations - most notably the Unicorn Empire of Adamantia - are at first amicable, though wary of the Alicorns. At this time rumours of “the Dragon Horse” and “the Trickster God” begin circulating.

***

Princess.

Shouts of joy and excitement could be heard throughout the entirety of Everfree Castle. Equestria’s fledgling capital - which had been built to replace the old royal Unicorn seat at Cornopolis - was filled with thousands of ponies that bustled back and forth. streamers filled the air, musicians and street performers entertained the crowds and hundreds of stalls sold pastries, drinks and commemorative toys in celebration of the momentous occasion.

It was this day that the Alicorn sisters, Celestia and Luna, would ascend to the united Equestrian throne as representatives and rulers of all Ponydom.

Celestia sat upright on the great golden throne and tried her best not to fidget in discomfort. Whilst the ponies of Equestria had been coming to her with requests, issues and legislation for several years now the massive golden seat she was now planted in felt awkward and uncomfortable. Not that the seat itself was hard or even unsatisfactory, fine cushions softened the metal surface and were filled with Pegasus gathered clouds to ensure they never flattened. It was the fact that she was now the definite centre of attention, raised above her ponies on the multi-tiered dais that her seat was placed atop. She was already much taller than most other mares and all the space and ostentation that was now devoted to her just drew even more attention her way.

On a silver throne that sat right next to her own was Luna. The younger alicorn looked somewhat out of place. As the smaller of the two the throne she sat on, which had been crafted for ponies of Celestia’s size, seemed overly large. Still the Princess of the Night conducted herself with composure, her back straight and her head raised in a manner not too dissimilar to the Unicorn monarchs of old.

A great crowd of ponies stood before them. The entire aristocracy of Equestria was assembled in this hall in all of their finery and with every single adjutant, clerk and government official that now existed. Equestria’s government had crammed itself before her throne, all to her homage.

Celestia could see Unicorn lords and ladies bedecked in jewelry and fine silk, their faces locked in haughty expressions that became much more humble and respectful when they looked her way. Beside them, standing tall and proud, were the descendants of the old Pegasus warlords, still dressed in ceremonial armour that had sculpted depictions of ancient Pegasus heroes and great battles embossed on the cuirasses and the edges of their greaves and pauldrons. Mingling amongst them were the magnates of the great Earth Pony clans, dressed in their traditional puffed up skirts and ruff rimmed shirts. Their ancestors had long ago competed for votes, seeking favours and boons from one another. Now they were doing whatever they could to force their way into the machinations of the new nobility, fighting for the respect that their Unicorn and Pegasus peers still struggled to give them.

A great red carpet split the crowd down the middle. The wide and beautifully woven strip of velvet-soft cloth led all the way from the massive doors of the assembly hall all the way across the chamber, up the dais and right to the twin thrones at the other end.

A pair of Unicorns stood in the middle of the carpet, both them were as finely dressed as every other pony in the room, candle light glinting off the small fortune in gemstones that covered their attire. upon approaching the dais they knelt down, one foreleg stepping forward whilst their heads were lowered until their muzzles were brushing the floor.

“I Lord First Night,” the Unicorn stallion said in a strong and confident voice, “do so solemnly swear fealty and loyalty to Princesses Gloriana Regalia Celestia and Sidera Somniata Luna, crown diarchs of Equestria, Archduchesses of the Unicorns, Lord-Commanders of the Pegasi Legions, First Ministers of the Earth Ponies, and Regents of the Heavens. I will offer my life and my services and those of my family and descendants to thine most noble of causes. I swear to uphold thee and thy rule until the end of my days and those of my kin.”

“We do solemnly recognise and accept thine oaths.” Celestia replied, once again reciting the official response that she had repeated again and again over the course of the day. “Rise Lord First Night and accept thine place in this kingdom.”

By her side, Luna said the exact same thing and with that Lord First Night and his wife stood and walked off the carpet, the crowd parting to let them find a place amongst their number.

Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose. She could practically feel the court hold their breath in anticipation. Opening her eyes again she looked down at the assembled nobility, the bureaucrats and dozens of other ponies that were now her responsibility. The sight of them all, expectant looks on their faces and ambitious glints in their eyes. The sheer weight of their presence was almost overwhelming.

Glancing a moment at Luna, who nodded in encouragement, Celestia stood from her throne and looked at the assemblage of officials and authorities.

“Our little ponies,” Celestia said, her magically augmented voice carrying across the throne room, “Verily do we accept thine oaths of loyalty and fealty to ourselves and to this most glorious of kingdoms. Thou hast placed the most sacred of duties upon our shoulders, the duties of rulership. We shall never claim overlordship over all thy kin for that path dost lead to tyranny and misery. Yea, we shall be thine rulers and servants, beholden to the ponies and to thee. As steward of the Sun, that most blessed and beloved of orbs we shall bring prosperity and joy to the nation. We shall never abuse that authority given to us and instead shall strive to safeguard this power from those that would wish harm upon the ponies of this land.”

Celestia completed her proclamation to a thunderous applause from the assemblage. Then Luna also stood up from her own throne and walked to the edge of the dais’ top. She held her own head high and took a slight pause before beginning her own speech.

“Ponies of Equestria,” she began, her own voice also thundering throughout the chamber, “Thou hast tasked our most blessed self with a duty of great import. The guardianship of thine hopes and dreams. When our night doth fall upon thee and thine, the foes and villains that doth hide within the embrace of the shadow do stalk thine homes and thine thoughts. Worry not! For as thou place thine trust to guard thee during the day upon our royal sister, thou may also rest easy in the knowledge that we shall guard thee during thine slumber. We shall endeavour to ensure that the ponies of Equestria shalt remain secure in body, mind and soul.”

Luna’s speech was received with just as thunderous an applause with even Celestia stamping one of her hooves on the dais in celebration. Luna’s face lit up at the sight of so many ponies stamping in appreciation and bowed her head to them in acknowledgement and thanks.

Celestia quieted the crowd with a wave of her hoof, silence slowly descending over the chamber.

“Our little ponies,” she began again, “Today you crown us as thine rulers. Today begins a new age for Equestria and all Ponydom. Prosperity and harmony shall be spread throughout the land for we shall build a new age, an age where all Ponies within this land shall know peace and joy, where merriment, fulfilment and honest labour shall be experienced by all. This new Kingdom of Equestria shall march into the future with it’s ponies’ heads held high and their hearts strong.”

Celestia finished her speech by raising her right hoof into the air, the crowd responding with wild applause.

“Now spread the word throughout the castle, the city and the whole land.” Luna spoke with confidence and barely restrained excitement. “Let the celebrations begin. Eat, drink, be merry and do not stop until the dawn strikes upon the second day, for today a kingdom is born!”

With that several unicorns lit up their horns and wrapped pull cords in their magical grip. With a strong tug the cords were pulled and loud bells tolled, announcing the beginnings of the great celebration. A cheer broke out throughout the city, a cheer that could be heard in the chamber as thousands of ponies roared in joy at the momentous occasion.

Celestia looked to Luna and smiled. Their work had only just begun but it was time to make a difference to all. However that could wait. The ponies were in the streets, eager to meet their new diarchs. There was also a feast to prepare for and plenty of good food and drink awaited them both.

Chapter Two: The Early Trials.

Chapter Two: The Early Trials.

***

8,000 BNM: Adamantia declares war on Equestria. The Unicorn Emperor Divine Right - under advice from a being claiming to be a powerful mage from another land - claims that he will Ascend, and lead his kind to victory and conquest across the stars. He rallies several powerful Empires and lesser kingdoms to his cause, and they attack Equestria, though notably the Empress Grace Note of the Crystal Empire refuses to join his conglomerate, instead joining Equestria in their conflict. After twenty years of war - and Grace Note’s death - Divine Right is defeated. The defeated nations are largely absorbed by Equestria, forming the Equestria known today.

***

The Right of Kings.

The Palace of Adamant, Unopololis, Cormaren, Adamantia, 1,001 NAE (New Alicornian Era).

“Forward!” came the strident voice of Luna from across the battleground that had once been the mighty city of Unopolis. “To victory, my little ponies!”

Celestia parried a blow from an Adamantine knight and drove her glaive’s blade through his shoulder, nearly cutting him in twain, before reversing the blow and lashing out, decapitating another. She couldn’t help but grin slightly at Luna’s yelling - even though she was halfway across the battlefield, her sister’s tones could be heard, bellowing across the fields of Cormaren to the armies that surrounded the capital city of Adamantia.

Celestia moved her blade to parry another blow, before raising a shield and blocking a spell that was thrown from an Adamantine mage.

“Too slow!” she admonished her enemy, obliterating him with a quickly fired spell from her own horn. She looked around, getting her bearings. The throne room of the Palace of Adamant was near, she could sense it: the power coming from there was... insane. It has been a hard struggle getting here: Grace Note of the Crystal Empire and a half dozen of her finest Crystal Knights had marched into this hell with her, but all had fallen - and now Celestia was alone.

She charged down a corridor. Now she was near - only a few more paces and she would have her foe in her sights. A moment later she came to the double doors of the Palace throne room, and burst through. Immediately she was face with a good dozen Adamantine Templars: silver armoured knights whose only duty was the protection of their supposedly divine Lord.

“Keep the false God away!” one of the Templars bellowed. “We must protect our lord!”

“Your lord is a foal!” Celestia bellowed. “He tampers with forces he does not understand!”

There was no reply from the Adamantine knights, who seemed only to fight harder at her cries. She growled her blade swinging, cutting through armour and flesh like cloth. Her foe was ahead of her, at the top of the room, the bright light radiating from him only serving as a beacon of magical power to her, filling her with dread.

“False God,” a deep voice spoke across the distance of the room. “Have you come to die?”

She cut through the last of the Adamantine Templars, parrying and cutting until they were all dead at her feet, their blood leaking from their bodies and staining her pure white coat.

And there he was: the regal blue Unicorn stood before her, armoured and armed with a giant war-hammer, the cutie mark of a crown upon his flank and a vicious grin on his face, blood streaming from his eyes. He was taller than he should have been, and though the light that was emanating from him obscured much of his form, Celestial could still see the vestiges of wings forming, covered in blood and mucus as they emerged from his sides. He could no longer be called the pony he was - he was transformed into something else entirely.

"Divine Right," she growled. "You are tampering with forces beyond your knowledge and ability - you do not know what it is you do!"

"And you do know?!" the creature that was once Divine Right, King of Adamantia, said, pointing his hammer at her in challenge.

"I know that what you are attempting is an abomination!" she yelled, bringing her own weapon up and pointing it at him in return. "You cannot make what my sister and I are! Our kind are born!"

"You are wrong, False Goddess!" the Divine Right creature screamed. "I have spoken with the Dragon Horse, and he has shown me such wonders... this divinity is the blood right of all ponies who are true to their core!"

“You are a fool!” Celestia yelled.

“You are the fool, False Goddess!” Divine Right screamed. “Those who follow their destinies to their ultimate extent are destined to be as I am!” He took a step towards Celestia, swinging his hammer into a ready stance. "When I ascend, I will be the God of Perseverance, of Resolution! It is my will that has forged this army you face, my strength that holds them in check, my perseverance and dedication that has granted me this power!"

"You have gained nothing but insanity from this, Divine Right," Celestia countered, spinning her glaive and preparing to fight. "And now you must die."

"Because I threaten your power?" he mocked.

"Because you threaten my ponies," she replied.

There was a moment - the very briefest of moments where the two paused, sizing each other up and waiting for the other to make a move. A moment later, Divine Right lost patience, and the glowing pseudo-Alicorn charged at her. The hammer bore down, and Celestia was forced to dodge the blow. She stabbed forward with her glaive, but Divine Right brought his hammer up and swept the blow to the side, before bringing his hammer down in a crushing blow. Celestia dodged again, taking a breath.

"Are you a ruler or a dancer?!" her enemy mocked.

Ignoring the jibe, she took to the air for a moment: here, she had the advantage. Her enemy's wings were still growing, not yet strong enough to propel him into the sky. She darted down, glaive out, and raked him across his back. He let out a growl of frustration and swung his hammer again, but she dodged the blow and floated above him. The energy around him flickered, and his features were twisting, far more than they should have been doing if this transformation of his was

"Little dancing princess," the abomination that had been Divine Right sneered. "Do you think the sky will protect you?"

His horn glowed, and suddenly a deep red spell lashed out, missing Celestia by inches and obliterating part of the wall behind Celestia. Cursing, she fired a quick spell of her own, while summoning magic for a greater strike.

His horn glowed and he fired another bolt of magic, obliterating more of the architecture. Celestia knew she would need a powerful strike to defeat this one - but such a spell might hurt her own armies.

She caught a glimpse of the doorway - she could see Luna entering the doorway, the Gladius di Lune, her specially forged blade, ready in her telekinetic grip. Celestia fired another spell off to distract Right, then moved to land by her sister.

"His forces are scattered or destroyed," the Moon Diarch reported quickly. She spun her blade, narrowing her eyes at the pseudo-Alicorn, who was chuckling to himself. "Now only he remains."

"And I have a plan to defeat him," Celestia said with a scowl, holding her glaive in a guard pose. "But it will obliterate much of this city. You need to pull all our forces back, now."

"I can help you!" Luna insisted.

"No doubt, but if one of us does not pull our forces back this monster's death throes will take the entirety of our army with him!" Celestia snapped. "Please - do this one thing for me, sister, then return to me when it is done!"

Luna hesitated, and then with a quick nod galloped off. Celestia turned to face her enemy again: she knew evacuation would take time, and that was time this monster would only grow stronger in. Still, she sued as she spun her glaive into position, she had not had a fight worthy of the name in a long time...

***

"Princess Luna!" the young voice of Forza di Volontà, the son of Grace Note and heir to the Crystal Empire, called, the armoured Crystal pony charging towards the Alicorn with a stern expression on his face. "Where is Princess Celestia? What is happening?"

Luna wasn't sure how to explain what she had seen of Divine Right. "The ruler of this Kingdom has gone insane, and tampers with dangerous forces. My sister bade us pull all our army out of the city so as to prevent the monster's power destroying us all."

Forza's eyes widened. "That is... madness! What power could destroy a whole city?!"

Luna shook her head. "We are not meant to know, Prince Forza. Just pull everypony out."

Forza nodded, before turning to his captains and beginning the cry. Luna sighed, looking around the battle-torn city. Many fine warriors had died to try and put an end to the madness of Divine Right, but they had not known what they would face.

What other insanity lies ahead of us? she pondered to herself. She shook her head, before busying herself with the retreat.

***

Celestia parried another blow, before dodging backwards, narrowly missing the swing of her enemy’s warhammer.

She had been at this for minutes - she hoped Luna would return soon. Truth be told - she did need her sister’s help. She dodged another blow, warding her foe back with her glaive.

“I grow tired of you, little dancing Princess!” Divine Right bellowed. “Come down here and die!”

“Sister!” Luna’s voice called. Celestia spared a quick glance as her sister charged into the room., spinning her Gladius de Lune and swinging it at Divine Right, who parried the blow.

“Another False-Goddess come to die?” he asked calmly. “You cannot overcome my resolve! It is who I am!”

His horn glowed, and Luna was blasted backwards, hitting the wall near Celestia. She threw her sister a glance, and the two of them looked back to Divine Right with grim expressions.

“The evacuation?” Celestia asked.

“Complete as can be done,” Luna replied. “Now there is just this one.”

“Good,” Celestia said softly. She spun her glaive, pointing it at Divine Right as he continued to glow, the aura surrounding him now even more intense than it had been.

“Now perhaps you will tell me your plan?!” Luna asked, trying not to sound too desperate.

To her surprise, Celestia turned to look at her, her face graced with a smile.

“We wait.”

“What?!” Luna yelled, but before she could do anything else, Celestia charged forward, glaive spinning. Sighing, Luna moved to follow, swinging her own weapon to go for Divine Right’s exposed side. To her shock, however, the crazed pseudo-alicorn moved faster than could have been possible, blocking both their strikes, his own weapon spinning to counter. Celestia narrowly dodged one blow from the heavy weapon, and Luna found herself forced to take to the air to dodge another.

Landing a short way away, she scowled as Divine Right began laughing.

“You have nothing with which to harm me, little princesses,” he said. “Already I am a match for you, my perseverance greater than yours by virtue of my destiny!”

Celestia landed next to Luna, that smirk still on her face.

“What about this is amusing you?” Luna hissed quietly.

Celestia glanced at her quickly. “The fool is gathering too much power. His body cannot hold it all. As long as we keep him here, he cannot hurt others - and soon, he will -”

A bolt of magic struck near Celestia’s hooves, forcing her to step back.

“Much as I would hate to interrupt an obviously riveting conversation you are having,” Divine Right said, sneering as the aura around him only grew greater still, “but I want to kill you both now.”

Celestia growled. “That is not going to happen, monster.”

She charged again, and Luna followed…

***

Somewhere very far away, the mismatched form of a creature watched the city of Unopolis shake and the foundations begin to crumble. A slight smile graced the snaggle-toothed features. Everything was going much as he had come to expect.

Was this wise? a voice seemed to ask from nowhere.

The mismatched creature’s face smiled still, despite the innate, almost primal fear that voice induced. Much as he didn’t like admitting it, his betters terrified him.

“It was… fun,” he said simply.

You are not here to have fun.

“No, I am here to test the ones you bade me test. What better test than this? An equal, an opposite. A tyrant.”

And if they should fail?

He sighed. “I end the world, just like you said I should. I do know what I’m doing, you know.”

We do not see how this test is relevant.

“Of course you don’t,” the mismatched figure commented. “You’re all so staid. Look, just trust me, this once. Please.”

There was a long silence, before the other voice responded.

Very well.

The mismatched creature sighed as he felt the other presence leave, grateful for the peace and quiet in his own mind.

They might not have trusted his test… but he could see it was going to work out wonderfully.

***

Celestia landed in a heap, the hammer having finally made contact and thrown her across the room. She groaned as she pulled herself up, her wounds healing, scowling slightly as she saw Luna dodge another blow, before Divine Right blasted her away with a spell that sent her flying into the wall near Celestia.

“This is too much,” the Moon Diarch said quietly. “His power only grows…”

“He will burn himself out soon,” Celestia said, nodding in Right’s direction. “One need only look.”

And sure enough, Divine Right did not look his best - the pseudo wings were moulting feathers, and blood was dripping from his eyes and snout. Though he had shown no signs of stopping, his body was visibly deteriorating, and despite his bravado, it seemed as though Divine Right knew it.

”My power… my resolve... cannot be defeated!” he snarled.

Celestia moved slightly, frowning as the crazed Unicorn began staggering and coughing.

“Is this it?” Luna asked quietly.

“It might be…” Celestia said softly. “But…”

Suddenly, Divine Right screamed, a sound that tore through the throne room and made both the Alicorns wince.

“You false Goddess witches!” the maddened King screeched. ”Do you think you have won a victory here?! If I am to end here, then I will make it your end as well!”

The glow around him began getting brighter and brighter, and the flagstones at his hooves began cracking as the power billowing around him began to distort and break the surrounding matter.

“Sister…” Luna said softly.

“We should go,” Celestia said, eyes wide. “Quickly!”

Her horn glowed, and she shot a bolt of magic upwards at the roof, blowing a hole through the masonry. Quickly, she began flying upwards, and Luna followed…

And then there was a flash of light.

***

“Quickly, move these ponies further back!” Forza di Volontà yelled to the troops. “Faster! We may not have much time!”

All around him, soldiers were pulling back from the fortress-city of Unopolis and racing back across Cormaren. Forza was staying put, overseeing the final retreat.

A violet mare with a shield cutie mark raced up to him. “My lord Forza! Where are the Princesses?!”

“I don’t know, Captain,” Forza replied quietly. “Princess Luna ordered the retreat, but -”

Before he could finish that sentence, there was a sudden roar of noise and a flash of light, and suddenly the Palace of Adamant, along with a good chunk of the surrounding city, exploded. Fires erupted, billowing out into the sky, and smoke rose from the wreck, casting a long shadow over the retreating forces.

“By the White Horse!” the Captain said, her eyes wide. “That’s insanity. What in the name of the Princesses was Divine Right doing?!”

Forza looked up at the sky in horror. “May we never find out, Captain.” His eyes widened, a sudden horrific realisation hitting him. “The Princesses -!”

“There!” somepony yelled. Forza looked up, and in relief he saw two figures flying away from the cloud of smoke.

A few moments later, Princess Luna landed, cradling her sister with her magic. Celestia was battered and unconscious, but she was alive.

“My lady!” the Captain said. “Are you alright?!”

“Fear not, Captain,” Luna said heavily. “We are both intact, though our sister is wounded. Please bring the healers to us posthaste.”

“I will see it done, my lady!” Forza said, bowing. “Captain, come with me.”

He headed off, the Captain looking back at the two Princesses with awe in her eyes.

“This’ll be a story to tell your children, Eventide!” Forza said with a grin.

“Y-yes!” the Captain said, shaking her head. “I don’t know how they survived.”

“Let’s be thankful they did,” Forza said. He glanced back at Luna, who was busy seeing to Celestia. “Thank the White Horse we have such leaders…”

***

7,750 BNM: Princess Luna of Equestria marries Prince Focoso di Forza of the Crystal Empire. Their two children are Prince Astrum di Nocturnus and Princess Noctra. Noctra later marries Lord Sanguine Steel, and their second child Prince Militum di Sanguinius is credited as the first of the Blood line, leading all the way down to Prince Steelblood of the Royal Guard and his son Prince Blueblood. Their first child, Gloriana Benedicta, is the distant ancestor of Mi Amore Cadenza.

***

Grandchildren.

“My lady Mother,” Lord Sanguine Steel, a white Unicorn with a blood red mane, said, bowing to Luna. “My lady Aunt. I present to you, Princess Noctra and the newborn Prince Militum di Sanguinius!”

Sanguine Steel stepped aside, revealing the bed of Noctra, who was laid underneath a white sheet. Noctra was a blue mare, a long black mane cascading down her shoulders. She looked up at her visitors with a soft smile.

“Mother, Aunty,” she said quietly. “Isn’t he perfect?”

She held a small colt with a red mane and pale blue coat, who was sleeping in her hooves. Celestia approached first, looking down with a soft, serene smile.

“What a beautiful foal,” she said quietly. She looked up at her sister. “Luna, you’re a grandmother again!”

Luna smiled, though hers was a more emotional smile, her bottom lip trembling and a single tear threatening to spill from her eye. Next to her, a shimmering grey-maned stallion in a long, regal jacket leant his head against her, a smile on his face and his eyes red with their own unshed tears.

“He looks like you,” Focoso di Forza said quietly to his wife. “He really does.”

“Except for the mane,” Luna replied. “That’s all his father’s.”

“My line has had red manes since before the earliest records,” Sanguine Steel said softly. “It’s one of our hallmarks. You’ll forgive me, though, your highnesses, if I say I’m glad he takes more after your side of the family. I always thought yours was the more regal.” He smiled at his wife. “I did, after all, marry one of you.”

“And we all regret it,” Noctra said teasingly. “All those medals we have to keep polished!”

“Can I see? I want to see!” a small voice said from behind Luna. Forcing her way past her grandparents, a little pinkish-white mare with a light red mane bolted up to her mother’s bedside. She frowned as she saw little Militium. “He’s kinda small, isn’t he?”

“We were all that small, once,” Celestia said to little Gloriana Benedicta, her namesake.

“Surely not!” Gloriana said. “You and grandmother couldn’t have been - you’re so much bigger than papa or grandfather!”

Focoso and Luna shared a glance, and Sanguine Steel chuckled lightly.

“My little firebrand,” he said quietly, “all ponies start their lives as foals in their mothers’ arms. You, me, even the Princesses. It is the one thing we all share - the beginning. That and…”

He trailed off, his smile fading slightly. He threw a glance at Focoso and Luna, and his smile returned, a little sheepishly. Luna returned it, though her own smile was strained. She glanced up at her sister, who looked sad.

“That and what?” Gloriana asked, not noticing the change of mood.

“It doesn’t matter,” Sanguine Steel said. “What matters is that we are here to celebrate your little brother’s arrival.”

“If you will excuse me, Lord Steel,” Celestia said quietly, “I must attend to matters of state. Luna, a word?”

“Of course, sister,” Luna replied. “I will return in a moment, Noctra.”

“It’s alright mother,” Noctra said with a smile. “Go. Save Equestria from some terrible organisational issue. We’ll all be here when you get back.”

Luna smiled as she followed Celestia out.

“Do you think she’s alright?” Sanguine Steel asked Focoso. “I didn’t mean…”

“It’s alright,” Focoso replied. “It… is a subject she preoccupies herself with all too much these days.”

***

“Are you alright?” Celestia asked quietly.

Luna didn’t reply for a moment, looking lost in thought.

“Your Grandson is beautiful,” Celestia prompted, smiling slightly at her sister.

“I know,” Luna replied quietly. “It’s just… I have a grandson, and in the space of but a few years he will be old and grey and I will remain as I am.”

Celestia lowered her head. “It is our curse.”

“But it shouldn’t be Noctra’s! It shouldn’t be Gloriana’s!” Luna said angrily. “When Astrum and Noctra were born without wings, I honestly… I thought…”

“You thought what?” Celestia asked.

“Honestly?” Luna asked. “I thought that maybe they would… manifest. When they were older.”

“Manifest?” Celestia asked. “You mean like Divine Right?!”

“No, not like Divine Right!” Luna said. “But…”

“Luna, our kind is born, not made,” Celestia reminded her sister. “We were born, not made…”

“And sometimes I wish we had not been!” Luna snapped. She paused, her eyes widening. “I…”

“No,” Celestia said tiredly. “No, I understand. It is… it is frustrating. Even painful. They… they all last such a short time…”

“... and then they are gone,” Luna finished morosely. “It was bearable before… but this… this is my family, Tia. These are my children, my grandchildren. I do not want to live and live and watch them and their children and their children’s children fill the mausoleums while I remain… constant.”

Celestia looked up at Luna, and she smiled, tears glistening in her eye. “It is our curse, sister. We must bear it…”

“Why must we?” Luna asked. “Why must we? Why can’t I…”

She paused, lowering her head.

“Why can’t we what?” Celestia asked.

“Why can’t we end?” Luna asked. “Why can we not follow mother and father, and all the others we have loved and lost? Why are we destined to stay?”

“Who can say?” Celestia replied quietly. “Perhaps it is a curse. Or maybe it is a blessing.”

“If this is a blessing, I would hate to be cursed,” Luna muttered.

Celestia smiled. “Come sister - thoughts of death have no place on a joyous day like today. Today, your grandson has entered the world. Let us go greet him.”

Luna nodded, a slow, almost reluctant smile returning to her face.

“Yes,” she said quietly. “Let’s.”

***

Chapter Three: The First Discordant Age.

Chapter Three: The First Discordant Age.

***

7,000 BNM: The birth of the First Discordant Age: the Draconequus Discord - unknown to the ponies, one of the Questioners - begins a reign of terror. In this assault, he forges massive armies of chaotic creatures with which to threaten Equestria, and is met by force from Princesses Celestia and Luna. During this time, Equestria also contends with the first Adamantine insurrection. This age is marked by near constant conflict, strife and turmoil, and there are only a rare few years of peace.

***

Chaos Reigning.

Above the world that would become his playground, a Draconequus took stock of his creations. They charged around on Equestrian soil, waiting for the their dear "father" to address them. Claws scraped across the dirt, teeth were shined with tongues as long as pythons and every shape that glared up at their ruler, their Discord, had its own unique laugh. The laughter filled the air. Discord’s creations were overjoyed at that moment, a moment of celebration. They roared with pride whenever Discord floated over them, bowing to him in all his glory.

Alas, although they were eager, the Lord of Chaos didn’t think they were quite done yet. Oh, they were very, very close, but as the old saying goes, "you never say the punchline without the full joke".

Was that the saying?

Regardless, their time would come soon. A time of madness, death, destruction, cakes (well, maybe not cakes - though that would be fun) - a time that would be the ultimate test for these ‘pony’ creatures, the ultimate way to discern, once and for all, whether they would be worthy for what was to come next (relatively speaking).

As he surveyed the horde, he looked amongst them, making adjustments as he went. This one needs more horns. That one shall melt the very ground it walks on. I mustn’t forget to give this little cherub a nasty bite. Little taller on that one… ah, perfect. He’s too blue. Hm. Now he’s not blue enough - ah, there we go.

His peers had wanted him to test them. Fair enough, this was his test. Any fool could solve a puzzle or plan against an enemy. Discord was forging enemies who were puzzles in their own right. Puzzles that changed every day. Puzzles who would devour you if you weren’t sharp enough. Many were mishmashes of existing creatures of Equus. Every combination that a mind could imagine (and several and no being would ever dare try to) was now at his beck and call for his mission. Delightful.

Discord clapped his hands once. The sound was heard by all of his horde and they silenced themselves. The time was just about right. Divine Right had been an amusing foe for the Princesses but it was time for a more personal touch.

With a snap of his claws, the centre of the massive horde began to rise up. The creatures moved away from it as the ground twisted and convulsed into a tower. Discord took his seat on the "throne of reasonable comfort" at the very top of his monument.

"This day shall be the beginning of our glorious campaign," the Lord of Chaos declared, his voice echoing around the battlefield.

The horde roared with with praise for their master. They grew louder and louder the longer Discord refrained from speaking. The ground beneath them shook from an army's worth of paws, hooves and other legs stomping down in primal glee.

Discord had his army, now it was time for the ultimate test for this world. He raised his hands to quieten them back down.

"This world holds so much potential," Discord began again. "But those who live here don’t know about it yet. It will be up to us to educate them on it. Don’t feel bad for them, they are much simpler than you or I, they don’t know about the grander schemes at play. Worry not about their weapons, magic and whatever else they will no doubt throw at you. You have... my blessing. Me. I gave you all life, so you know you have purpose when I speak to you directly. The others in this world don’t have that same advantage. I think we should fix that. We should show them just how they could meet their maker. Be it through the mind, body or soul."

There was a wave of disturbing chuckles from his creations. It died down as he started to speak again.

"You may be wondering what our plan of action is." Discord tapped his nose. "I’ll let that be a surprise. If you knew all the plan straight away there would be no surprise, and surprises are fun. That’s rule one. But to give you a little hint - step one of the plan is simple… go. Have fun."

Discord began chuckling to himself. The only sound that could be heard for miles was the Lord of Chaos chuckling at his own joke. That chuckling grew into laughter and that laughter grew louder and louder. All of the horde that he had created joined in with their master. What’s a good joke if you can’t share it?

As they continued to laugh, Discord stopped. "I nearly forgot something."

He snapped his claws and suddenly the horde had their weapons. Jagged spears, swords crafted from the fangs’ of beasts long since dead, daggers that literally hungered for blood to the point of snarling in their owner’s hand, whips that were smart enough to find their target themselves after the wielder was killed, so many options for mutilation in the horde.

"Go!" Discord declared. "In any direction you desire, it doesn’t matter, just go and show them exactly who you are and what we can do."

Discord’s forces marched on to war in their destinations. Many of them were stampeding alongside larger creatures. The ground shook with every step, parts of it cracking to reveal more creatures of Discord that had less obvious ways of meeting opponents. They were all delighted to go off into war for their creator.

His horde’s laughter could still be heard as Discord watched them go off into the horizon. Discord stood there in silence, alone with his throne. It wasn’t until the laughter had faded from his ears that he spoke.

"And I do mean ‘we’."

***

The Horns of Hell.

Between the spurs of the Canterhorn and the Foal Mountain, there ran a river called the Maressissippi. Across that river, there was but one bridge, right at the pass between the two mountains, where the river was narrowest. The bridge itself was stone, wide enough for twenty Unicorns in full armour to march across, side by side. It had been built in the days of Adamantia, one of that kingdom’s many great achievements before the madness of Divine Right.

Upon that bridge marched a column of Earth Ponies and Unicorns, clad in full, golden plate armour, mail undershirts visible through the gaps. They held long, elegant spears at the ready, and the Unicorns levitated large, ornate shields alongside. Stood at the head of this column, in battered golden armour, a fresh cut still above her left eye, was Celestia.

The Alicorn carried herself with dignity, ignoring her remaining injuries and the weariness that had been pressing down on her for months. She had stood at the forefront of nearly every battle, leading her ponies as she had many times before. Now however the threat seemed too great for her to face. The endless horde of abominations that ravaged their lands was unlike anything she had faced before. Every battle had been a harrowing experience and the damage to herself and her once beautiful armour was a testament to how deadly and relentless her foes now were.

"My lady?" a soft voice spoke from Celestia’s side. The Alicorn turned to regard Twilight Star, a newly commissioned captain. She was a young violet mare, with a shock of blue through her otherwise white mane.

"Captain," the Princess replied. "What is our situation?"

Star sighed, looking notably distressed. "We have one thousand Unicorn marksponies, two thousand Earth Pony spears, and a full three companies of shieldbearers. Less than a third of what we’d hoped."

"Less than a third is better than none at all," Celestia said quietly. "And it will have to do. We always expected to have the disadvantage in numbers."

"I know, my lady, but -" Star began.

"Have faith, Captain," Celestia said quietly, a look of determination on her face. "I will die before Equestria falls - and it will take a lot more than these abominations to end me. You know the plan."

Star nodded, and turned back to the column. Celestia closed her eyes, and let the noises of battle begin to wash over her.

"PONIES!" Twilight’s amplified voice rang out over the column, "TAKE FORMATION! SHIELDBEARERS AT FRONT, PIKES BEHIND! MARKSPONIES TAKE POSITIONS AND PREPARE YOURSELVES!"

The moment the violet mare had finished speaking the ponies of the column sprang into action. The Unicorns carrying shields rushed in front of the Earth Ponies, planting their shields on the bridge with an audible clang. Though only a single line thick the shields carried weighty enchantments that made them almost impossible to shift. The Earth Ponies immediately moved behind them, lowering their pikes so that a bristling wall of steel points was pointing outwards. Behind the phalanx were the rest of the Unicorns, all of whom were testing the wind or taking breathing exercises, readying themselves for when they would have to unleash a hail of spellfire.

Celestia felt forlorn as she watched the army prepare itself. There were so many new recruits, and too few veterans. Most of the ponies had been suddenly levied from the city’s population and had never seen combat before. That was the grim calculus of this war, however - they would always lose many. But as long as they held…

"Enemy on the horizon!" somepony screamed. Suddenly a horn blared, and then Celestia opened her eyes, looking ahead.

Sure enough, past the far side of the bridge she could see them. A horde of monstrosities - bipedal, quadrupedal, some with more legs than an insect, some with no legs at all that slithered or flew on debased wings, some that were mockeries of the pony form. Every one of them bore some horrible deformity, horns bursting out of spines, enlarged limbs, horrible growths that writhed and undulated with minds of their own. Those that had eyes all had the same psychotic glee that promised nothing but an eternity of pain and violation to everything that stood in their way…

"By the White Horse," Twilight Star said, her eyes widening.

"Captain, to your duty," Celestia said sharply.

Star looked up at Celestia, swallowed audibly, nodded, then down. She opened her mouth, and began yelling.

"STAND FIRM! DON’T GIVE AN INCH! ON MY SIGNAL, FIRE AT WILL!"

The order was repeated by officers along the line. Star’s horn glowed softly as she prepared to signal. The horde continued charging, the sound of their guttural screams and yelling getting louder as they got closer to the bridge. Somewhere from amongst the horde, a deep, throaty horn could be heard, blaring into the air.

"Ponies of Equestria," Celestia said, her voice soft and yet carrying to every pony in her army. "The beasts of tartarus are upon us, but we will not falter. We will hold - for Equestria, for your families, for freedom!"

"GLORIANA!" her soldiers screamed around her. "GLORIANA!"

Celestia brought her glaive to bear and flapped upwards, summoning a shield of golden energy as bolts of corrupt magic flew from the Abominable Horde towards her. she narrowed her eyes at the creatures, and her next words simultaneously chilled and cheered the hearts of her soldiers.

"Let none survive."

"CHARGE SPELLS!" Star yelled out. From her horn, an amber light shot out and exploded into a flower-shaped arrangement. Across the bridge, one thousand horns lit up.

There was a moment’s pause, where Star looked up at Celestia. The Diarch looked back down at her, and nodded once.

"MARKSPONIES FIRE!" Star yelled, her horn shooting a red light into the air. A moment later, a thousand spells lashed out from the horns of the Marksponies, sailing over the defensive line, past the bridge, and into the front ranks of the horde. Concussive spells smashed apart bodies and vaporised limbs, incineration spells set blazes that burned through the ranks of abominations. More exotic destructive spells created micro-vortices and miniature glaciers that disrupted the charge and broke the front row… but like a flood, the horde continued, undaunted.

Celestia scowled, and she looked down at Star, who nodded. A blue spell shot into the air, and the Marksponies began firing at will, their spells becoming more sporadic but nonetheless equally destructive, tearing through the ranks of monsters.

Celestia brought her glaive up, focused, and suddenly a beam of pure light shot out from the weapon, channeled through her own magic. The beam incinerated anything it touched, carving a massive scorching tear through the land - and any abominations - as it continued on its path of destruction. She paused after a few moments, breathing heavily, and blinked as a spell shot past her ear. Her eyes widened as she realised her shield had disappeared.

"My lady!" Twilight Star called up to her.

Celestia growled. "HOLD!"

The ponies below her braced themselves as the horde reached them… and then they hit.

Shields budged back inches as the weight of impossible bodies smashed into the enchanted metal. A great ball of oozing flesh undulated forward, crushing other monsters in its path before it crashed into the shields. It failed to push the enchanted wall of steel even an inch but instead began to undulate over it. Foul smelling meat spilled over the Shieldbearers and down onto them. Pikes sank into the mass and snapped as the weight of the monstrosity broke them. Ponies screamed as they were smothered by the monster. On top of the beast, a small head with mismatched eyes laughed uproariously as it felt the pathetic creatures suffocate in its rolling folds.

Twilight Star, at the head of the line behind the Shieldbearers, growled, her horn glowing, as a beam of orange energy hit it straight in the centre of the mass, penetrating through its core. Suddenly the thing began glowing from within, and a moment later it exploded, showering gore and entrails over the defenders.

"Captain!" the ponies around the young mare cheered. "Captain Star!"

"HOLD YOUR LINE!" Star yelled back, firing a spell at some of the creatures forcing their way through the hole in the shieldwall. "GET ME MORE SHIELDBEARERS, NOW!"

More Unicorns moved up, but there were already abominations amongst the pikemen, forcing the Earth Ponies to defend themselves from the various assorted monstrosities. Star drew an ornate blade and charged into the fray, cutting through one creature whose back was turned, before moving to block another blow. The creature attacking her was a six foot beast, tall and muscular with two legs, arms and a giant club. She blocked another blow, and she fell to the floor, her telekinetic hold broken and her head ringing from the impact. Her eyes widened as the thing loomed over her…

And then its head exploded.

"BACK TO THE PITS THAT SPAWNED THEE, ABOMINATIONS!" a strident voice called out, as Celestia swept down, her glaive lashing out and cutting through more of the creatures as she settled on the ground with a snort. She blocked a strike from another tall beast, before swiping her glaive and cutting it in half. She stabbed forward, impaling another, before using her magic to shove a dozen of the creatures backwards beyond the line and into their own comrades, with more of the monsters being shoved over the edges of the stone bridge and into the dark water of the river below.

"Shieldbearers!" Celestia called out, panting. "Now!"

New Shieldbearers moved into position, taking up the shields of their fallen comrades and raising the enchanted devices up with grunts of effort. Celestia turned to look at Twilight Star as the sound of the horde banging on the shields subsided slightly.

"Art thou alright, Captain?" the Diarch asked, slipping into a more formal cadence.

Star pulled herself to her hooves, shaking from the impact. "I… will be fine, your highness."

"Good," Celestia said. She turned to look at the shield wall - so far, the shields were holding, though the horde was pushing away at them. She scowled.

"My lady, what now?" Star asked.

"Now, we wait for our reserves," Celestia said. "And hope my sister has a good sense of timing."

***

Princess Luna of Equestria looked around at the assembled Pegasi, their armour and spears gleaming. These were her personal forces, the Legio Noctrum, named in part for her long-dead daughter (I a only glad you died before witnessing the horrors I have seen…). Their armour, dark blue and purple, glinted in the sunlight.

Amongst these Pegasi were a few, more unique ponies. Their wings were not feathery, but leathery and bat-like. These were the Thestrals, a race of ponies that Luna had opened diplomatic ties with over a thousand years ago, who had since sworn their best and brightest to her service. She had, in their time of division, brought unity amongst the Thestrals’ disparate groups, ending the internecine warfare of their clans that had lasted generations. Though they were not common, being only a small population who lived in the dark caves of the Smokey Mountains, they were devoted to Equestria’s ideals of harmony and tolerance, and moreso to Luna herself, the mare who had shown them the way to unify with their distant kin. Though many ponies were… dubious about them, Luna trusted them implicitly.

"My lady," Nachtkrieg, chief of the Half Moon clan, said, approaching her with bowed head and kneeling before her. "Our forces are prepared. We estimate that we can reach the bridge in twenty minutes, pushed to the limit."

"We cannot push ourselves too hard," Luna said quietly. "We must arrive with the strength to fight."

"Then we will be there in a little over an hour, but can your sister afford that time?" Nacht asked.

Luna sighed. "She will have to."

Nacht nodded, before turning to his soldiers. "To the skies! We fly to war!"

"SIDERA SOMNIATA!" the Thestral soldiers yelled in return, before spreading their wings as one and taking off. Luna smiled as their forces flew off, before turning to the Pegasi Captain, an auburn-maned stallion named Thunder Crash.

"Are we prepared, Captain?" she asked.

"We’ll bring down the lightning, your highness," the Captain replied with a cocky smirk, "or I’ll hand in my rank and go live in a hole at the end of this."

"For your sake, Captain, I hope your skill in battle outmatches your wit," Luna said, smirking in return. She turned to the Pegasi. "Equestrians - to the sky! To Princess Celestia! To battle!"

"Bring the thunder!" Thunder Crash yelled, taking to the sky. His forces, displaying the blue sky and yellow lightning of the Pegasi elite, followed him, shouting their own war cries. Behind them heavy Sky Chariots lifted into the air, Unicorn Marksponies sequestered in the back. Everypony was filled with the same energy as their brash commander.

And, her own wings spread and the Gladius de Lune at the ready, Luna followed.

***

"HOLD!" a sergeant shouted somewhere down the line as a spinning, multi-segmented creature with bladed limbs threw itself over the shieldwall. It skewered itself on the pikes behind as Earth Ponies thrust into the carnage. The battle had taken a heavy toll on the Equestrian forces, every breach of the line leading to dozens of deaths.

The whooping screeches of the Abominable Hordes threatened to drown out the orders of the overtaxed officers. Ponies everywhere were starting to flag. The battle had been harrowing for the Equestrian army, the death toll, the relentlessness of their foes and the disgusting abilities displayed by their opponents all serving to weaken their morale.

Suddenly an enormous beast loped forward. It stood three metres at the shoulder, with massive bulging arms and horny armour covering its back and fists. It’s head was rimmed by a mane of spikes and when it breathed noxious gas burst forth from its nostrils.

Twilight Star saw the monster bearing down on them, and her eyes widened in horror.

"BRING IT DOWN!" she screamed, amplifying her voice so she could be heard.

The few Marksponies that heard her let loose with all of their might but their shouts simply bounced off of the beast’s armour or were ignored by it. In an instant the monster had closed the distance between it and the shieldwall, crushing smaller monsters in its path, and slammed against it.

In an instant the wall was pushed back. Enraged that it hadn’t flattened the ponies in front of it the monster raised its gnarled fists and swung at the Shieldbearers. Reaching over the shields the monsters claws swept the line, snapping pikes and ponies alike. In a few seconds it had crushed or crippled six Shieldbearer Unicorns and punched a hole in the line.

Celestia, further along the line, looked over at the creature and groaned. She was already tired - her body was aching in a half dozen places, and she felt something suspiciously similar to a pulled muscle in her left hind leg. She raised her glaive, intent on charging the creature, but then, to her surprise, a dozen Earth Ponies got their first, barreling towards the monster, pikes thrust forward.

"Fer Equestria!" one of them yelled in a heavily-accented voice. "Bring that varmint down!"

"I’ve got the head!" one of them yelled, pulling a sling out and starting to throw rocks at the creature’s armoured head. This did little other than annoy it, but it was enough to keep its attention.

"What’s that thing even made of?!" the accented pony yelled in irritation. "Hey, help me get behind it!"

Two of the ponies speared the creature in the guts, though that did little other than enrage the beast further. It reached down and grabbed one, breaking the poor stallion’s back, but that bought enough time for the accented pony to get behind the thing, where he took a blade out and stabbed at the vulnerable rear legs. The creature howled in pain, falling to its knees, and the remaining soldiers eagerly stabbed at its exposed belly and throat again and again until it finally went down, screeching all the way.

"My lady!" Star yelled over to Celestia. "We can’t hold this much longer!"

Celestia spun her glaive and charged at the hole in the line, feeling herself beginning to flag. She ignored her fatigue and pressed on, ramming into one of the creatures and knocking it to the ground, before snapping its throat with her hoof. Growling, she charged head first at another, goring the thing’s throat with her horn, before shoving it off with a snarl.

"DAMN YOU!" she screamed, shooting a spell at one creature and incinerating it. "FLEE IN TERROR, ABOMINATIONS! I AM THE MARE WHO HOLDS THE SUN!"

Her horn flashed again, and dozens of the creatures suddenly burst into flame, as Celestia’s mane began flickering, the power surrounding her seeming to warp the pink mane into blue, fiery energy. Her eyes flashed with power as more of the creatures died in fire.

"Your highness!" Twilight Star yelled. "Are you alright?!"

She didn’t answer aloud, but within her mind, the Diarch felt a conflict - she felt wrong, but at the same time she had never felt so exhilarated in all her life.

I feel it! Celestia thought, her eyes flashing again. I feel the power! The power of the sun itself…! It hurts… it hurts so much… but it is a good pain…!

"BURN!" she yelled at the creatures. "BURN… WITH… ME!"

The creatures seemed to hesitate as Celestia rose up, taking to the sky once again. Her mane and tail, fiery and blue, flickered as she spread her wings wide. The horde, for the first time since the battle had begun, stopped in their relentless charge and seemed to take a step back.

"Flee, you miserable wretches,," Celestia said, her voice tinged with unnatural power as her eyes, blazing orbs of white light, turned upon them. "Flee for your worthless lives before I turn you all to ash. Flee to the ends of the world, and maybe you will avoid my wrath. Flee."

Almost as one, the horde paused. Many of them were stricken with terror that they had never experienced before in their warped existences. Some collapsed in fear before her but most simply stood, unsure of what to do. Their foul instincts drove them to attack, to ravage, to despoil and violate. But now more primal drives were telling them to obey her and flee.

Before them the ponies were warily reforming their line. Shields were raised, pikes were lowered and breathes were held as the remains of the Equestrian army waited to see what their princess would do.

Suddenly a deep rich sound cut through the silence that had descended on battlefield. It was the noble sound of an Equestrian warhorn. Ponies and abominations alike all turned their heads to the sky as the sound echoed down from the clouds. Even Celestia, deep within whatever madness was overtaking her, raised her head and regarded the noise.

"Now my ponies!" the Royal Canterlot Voice boomed down from the clouds. "Strike them down. Strike from the skies. For Equestria!"

In that instant thunder went off overhead and lightning bolts rained down from the clouds, impacting in the center of the Abominable Horde. Dozens of foul beasts were hit by the cascading electricity of the storm. Explosions rocked the great host as beasts were catapulted into the air, horrific burns and tears covering their bodies.

The horde reeled once again, terrified by the fiery Alicorn before them and the suddenness of the storm above.

A moment later the clouds parted and revealed the cause of the lightning strikes. The ponies of Equestria cheered as hundreds of Pegasi appeared, every one of them armed and armoured. Sky Chariots were amongst them, crewed by Unicorn sharpshooters and that their head was a regal blue Alicorn garbed for war and bearing a beautiful shining blade.

"Now my ponies," Luna once again shouted in the Royal Canterlot Voice as the horn sounded, "To Celestia."

***

The moment she had finished speaking, Luna folded her wings and dove. Behind her, wings outstretched, came the Thestrals, spears pointed downwards.

In an instant, they were amongst the abominations on the bridge, blades and spears at work. The bridge became the heart of a melee, a melee in which the warriors fought like ponies possessed by some great spirit.

Speaking of ponies possessed…

"Sister!" Luna called out, landing near her sister. Celestia… was breathing heavily, her eyes wide. Whatever glow had surrounded her a moment ago had receded, leaving her shaky and sweating. "Art thou alright?!"

"Luna," Celestia said simply, "I have never been more pleased to have you by my side." She closed her eyes. "We cannot hold the bridge."

"I feared as much," Luna said dourly, looking to the battle.

Even the elite Thestral forces were having difficulty against the abominations. She could see, with a twinge in her heart, Nachtkrieg and his bodyguard fighting against the most monstrous of the creatures, the clan leader himself being torn apart by a vicious beast. Near that, she saw the brave, foolish Thunder Crash fall to a spear lodged in his chest. Undaunted by the mortal wound, Crash threw himself at the best that dealt it, and the two fell together over the bridge.

"Then we must end this together," Celestia said quietly. She turned her head. "Captain Star, where are you?!"

"Here!" Star’s voice came from the melee. The captain appeared, a cut above her forehead and one eyes bruised, but otherwise seemingly undaunted. "I stand ready!"

"It is time to enact our contingency," Celestia said quietly. "Send the signal to retreat."

Star nodded, a slight twitch of her lip the only sign that she disagreed. "As you command." She turned to the line. "PULL BACK ACROSS THE BRIDGE! SLOW AND STEADY!"

A horn rang out signalling the withdrawal. The Shieldbearers, tired but re-energised by the arrival of the reinforcements, began retreating slowly, allowing the ponies behind them a quicker pace. Some members of the horde tried to charge the shields, but Celestia and Luna took to the skies, their horns lashing out and smashing into the creatures. Any they missed were caught by Thestrals and Pegasi.

After a few tense minutes, the bridge was clear of ponies. Celestia and Luna shared a glance, before the Lunar diarch turned to her forces.

"Retreat!" she called.

At her cry, the Pegasi divisions and Thestrals retreated, flying to land near what was left of Celestia’s army. Celestia, breathing heavily, nodded to Luna, who turned her attention to the bridge as the Abominations began crossing, unimpeded by Equestrian forces.

"Now!" Celestia said. Luna’s horn glowed… and the bridge exploded. The ancient Adamantine construction shattered beneath the power of the spell the Lunar diarch threw.

For a moment, all was silent. Most of the horde opposite was confined to the land of the other side of the bridge. A few, twisted wings bearing them aloft, tried to cross, but Twilight Star motioned and a squadron of Marksponies began firing spells, clipping the creatures from the sky as they crossed.

Celestia and Luna landed on the Equestrian side of the river, breathing heavily.

"This is ridiculous," Luna said. "How much longer can we continue this fight?"

"As opposed to what?" Celestia asked, smiling tiredly. "We cannot surrender."

"I was not suggesting surrender," Luna replied. "I was suggesting we seek whatever intelligence guides this monstrosity and annihilate it!"

"There is no way of knowing if this force even has an intelligence guiding it," Celestia said with a shrug. "At best, we would be searching for something we do not know, have never seen and know not the origin of."

"But we would be searching," Luna retorted.

Celestia shook her head, before looking across to the horde. Most of the creatures were screaming, yelling in their foul tongue.

But… right there, was that…?

The diarch could see a single figure standing still and silent on the opposite bank. It had a griffon claw and a lion paw, a pony head with a goat horn and an antler, and a dragon tail. It seemed almost to be regarding Celestia with narrowed eyes. She narrowed her eyes back at it, and then… it was gone.

"Sister?" Luna asked. "Art thou alright?"

"Yes," Celestia said quietly. "Yes I am."

Whatever that creature was, she had the feeling she would meet it again.

***

4,600 BNM: The First Discordant Age ends with the defeat of the Discordant Legion and the apparent banishment of Discord (who retreats to resume his observation of the two sisters).

***

Defeat is not the end.

Luna, after all these years, had been right.

The last five years of the conflict had seen it finally peter out to embers. Though Equestria had been shattered by the war, their battered, weary forces had managed to break the back of the last horde - the last Discordant Horde, as it had come to be named.

The creature that led the horde, the beast that Luna had spoken of as a theory so many years ago, had revealed itself. Its name was Discord, the self-styled Lord of Chaos and strife. It had revealed itself a long time ago, showing up at the head of a horde of Discordant beasts. Its power was… uncertain. It had claimed then to have created the horde, which in and of itself was terrifying.

Now, Luna and Celestia approached the dark, ruined fortress where it made its home, with the intent of confronting this Discord in his lair.

The approach to the fortress was eerily quiet. Dead lands surrounded them, nothing visible and nothing tangible… and yet a sense of threat surrounded them, ever present. The fortress probably wasn’t helping that image: it loomed over the wasteland, tattered spires and parapets leaning over, creating an unnatural sense that the thing was looking down at them.

"Why did we walk?" Luna asked quietly.

"No way of knowing what air defences they have," Celestia replied quietly.

"And so we get to stand at the base of this thing and let it… loom," the Lunar Diarch said, raising an eyebrow. "I can’t say I wouldn’t prefer the idea of dodging spells."

Celestia grinned. "Well, we’re here now."

It still surprised her that she and her sister could joke as they did. Luna… had gone through a period of being very quiet and morose. Almost three centuries of it, in fact, since her great grandson had died in his sleep aged one hundred and two. After that, Luna had stayed out of the business of the line she had spawned. She had no part in their lives. Surprisingly, the line still ran strong, even after the death of many thousands of ponies. That death, though, had naturally led to years where Celestia didn’t even smile, and Luna had almost never dropped her livid scowl.

Still, Luna’s sense of humour seemed to have returned, albeit tempered and subdued. That, at least, was something Celestia was grateful for.

The fortress itself was easily accessible - a stone bridge led to the gate, which lay broken and open. The courtyard was empty and foreboding, and the wind whistled through it. Except… it wasn’t just the wind. Cold laughter could be heard throughout the fortress.

"Have the little Princesses come to play?" a voice whispered through the walls of the fortress as the two stepped into the centre of the courtyard.

"Yes," Luna called back. "We have come to play ‘end the abomination-master and stick his head on a pike’!"

"Ooh, sounds fun," the voice whispered back. "But I know a better one."

Suddenly, a translucent figure dashed out of the shadows, charging at the two of them. As one, they brought their weapons to bear and engaged the figure, which dashed between the two of them, swinging a blade around and blocking their blows. A deadly dance began, the three spinning, blocking and stabbing - and then Luna slashed with the Gladius di Lune and the figure dissipated.

"What trickery is this?" Luna demanded, shocked.

"Oh, come now," the voice of Discord mocked. "You did not genuinely expect it to be so easy."

Celestia growled as another shadow-Discord appeared, charging at them. She leapt ahead, her glaive impaling the shade before it could even move.

"We can kill as many of these shades as you can throw at us," Luna called out. "You may as well face us yourself."

In answer, three more shades leapt down at them from above. Luna leapt up into the air, bisecting one as it jumped, and Celestia engaged the other two, her glaive spinning and blocking the creatures’ blows, before Luna landed, taking one on herself. Luna dodger a slash and stabbed, impaling her foe, while Celestia blocked the blow from her enemy, before decapitating the shade. A moment later, they were alone again.

"You know," Discord’s voice said, "I think I believe you."

There was a flash of light, and suddenly Celestia and Luna were thrown backwards.

And there he was.

Discord, the Dragon Horse, the Lord of Chaos, stood before them. He was surrounded by a bright light, silhoeutting his form, and he had one paw stretched out to point at them.

“You two little fools have made a grave mistake in coming to this place,” he intoned, his voice full of portents of doom. “This is my domain! Here, I am the master!”

Luna yelled in frustration, before firing a beam of magic - it bounced off the glowing figure.

“Before my might, there is no power that you have that can stop me!” Discord continued, practically ignoring the attack. “The armies you slew can be remade! The victories you won can be undone! The ponies you thought you had spared the blade will feel it's edge -!”

“NO!” Celestia yelled, and suddenly her horn flared… and she was no longer standing there.

In her place was the figure Luna had only seen once, and her eyes widened in shock at horror as she saw it again. Celestia’s mane had become fire, flickering and waving like the flares of the sun itself. Her coat had darkened to a dull grey compared to the light that flared around her, and the pupils of her eyes had narrowed as she glared at Discord.

“What’s this?” the Dragon Horse asked, sounding almost amused. “Have you decided to show your true power?!”

“You will not touch the ponies of Equestria again!” the not-Celestia yelled. “I will scour you from all creation first!”

She fired a beam of magic at the Lord of Chaos, who held up a law to block it, though this time he seemed almost to struggle as she kept firing.

“You must know you cannot prevail,” he said.

“No,” Celestia replied. “I don't know that at all!”

She took a step forward, and Discord took a step back. She took another, and so did he. Suddenly she reared up, and the Dragon Horse disappeared in a flash, the beam of energy the not-Celestia had been firing levelling most of the castle behind where he had stood.

With a sudden gasp, Celestia, free of the unnatural glow, collapsed to the ground exhausted. In a flash, Luna had come to her side, eyes wide with worry.

“Sister?” she said softly. “Celestia?!”

Celestia’s eyes opened weakly. “Luna? What happened? Did we win?”

“Yes,” Luna said softly. “Yes, we won.”

“Hooray for us,” Celestia said with a chuckle, before passing out.

***

The figure of Discord stood on a cloud, watching the two sisters as they walked home, both limping from the fight. Of course, his attention wasn't really on them at all, now.

Verdict?

“Uncertain,” he said. “She transformed briefly to a higher state, more powerful than her normal form. It seemed to affect her personality though.”

Suggestion?

“I keep watching,” Discord said quietly. “These… Alicorns… there's a lot of potential, but with only two full samples at present it will be difficult to use them as a basis for the whole lot.”

There was a pause as his colleagues debated this. He closed his eyes, hoping they made the right choice.

Very well. Remain. Continue.

And then they were gone.

Discord sighed, before summoning a cold drink. He didn't need it, but it made him feel better.

“Right then,” he thought. “What to do next?”

Author's Note

I'm back!

This scene actually took a good long while to do, especially for the massive battle in the middle. There were a lot of choices about history et al to be made during it. Still, now that it's done, I feel really proud of it. With thanks to The Void and RoyalPsycho for their stellar input as always. Hope you enjoy the update :-)

Jed.

Prologue: Foreword - The Ages of Equus

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By Jed R, The Void and RoyalPsycho.

Prologue: Foreword - The Ages of Equus.

Greetings gentle reader: within this tome lies a collection and compendium of accounts detailing the history of the Equestrian nation and its ponies, as well as other historical documents and accounts kept herein. I spent years gathering as much information as I could, perusing countless museums and archives for the material that would allow this book to exist. Even interviews with the Princesses themselves and the foremost scholars of the kingdom were sought out and thankfully they rarely failed to impress.

Few care to examine the history of our kingdom these days. The countless events and figures that forged the nation we live in today are often forgotten or barely remembered as is. I suppose it is not particularly common to consider the darker decisions that had to be made in our past but a sense of history is important for if we are to prevent making the mistakes of our past we must first know it.

Popular history is often considered a children’s subject, presented through plays during the holidays. Of course whilst such productions are important traditions they do present a very simplistic version of events.

When I was a foal it was these plays that sparked my interest in history and began the sequence of events that led to me finding my cutie mark. This fascination would continue throughout my life. I despaired in the early days as I uncovered more information about the past and then compared it to the woefully inaccurate depictions presented to the public. It was this despair that initially encouraged and drove me to write this compendium.

Within these pages are the truth about Equestria’s past, its trials and its greatest achievements. The actions of our most famous figures are recorded and displayed for all. I sincerely hope that this book helps reminds the ponies of Equestria of what their ancestors did to allow them to live in the manner that we take for granted and that one day our descendants will do the same for us in the distant future

True Quill snr

***

Author's Note

AN: Slightly edited, and unfortunately accidentally unpublished/republished. Apologies everyone.