12 ALR (After Luna's Reformation)

The year Equestria Died...

No-pony knew it, No-pony expected it, and Every-pony wished it didn't happen. But it did... On the first day of the 12th year after Luna's reformation.. They vanished.. They just, vanished and never came back..

Oh sorry You probably don't know what the heck I'm talking about. I am talking about black Monday.. The day Celestia and Luna just vanished. And no-pony knew to where or why they did. So enough beating around the bush, you must be thinking a few things.. for one ' who the heck are you? Mr narrator man?" well random reader who probably didn't think that question until i wro- i mean said that. Well my name is Solar Winds and i am the Illegitimate heir to the throne of Equestria.. Let me explain.

Long before the Royal Sisters disappeared, one of them met a lover and got pregnant but obviously kept me a secret for fear of a jealous noble or a leader of another nation might harm me. So i was born on 11 ALR.. On December.. the night before the Vanishing. And yes, i am an alicorn. One of the few remaining though there weren't many to begin with.

I never found out which one of the two was my birth mother since i carry characteristics of both. I am told i have Luna's mane but Celestia's white coat, but it doesn't matter anyways. Their gone and i have a bigger problem on my hooves. Trying to unite all of Equestria back into one country.. and making it out alive with no fancy armies of my own and only My wits, Charm, a sword, shield and a crossbow with me. along with a coin pouch my caretaker who smuggled me out of Canterlot gave me long ago..

But enough about me. Let me tell you how bad a situation Equestria is in...

Six factions, or 'houses' as the Equestrians keep calling them, are the reminisce of the original equestrian government. each ruling their own territory. This is what i know about them from merchants ive met over the years.

Lets start with the House of Bluebloods. Founded by the nephew (i think he made that title up but whatever) of Celestia. And one of the more legitimate claims to the throne. Unlike the others though they control the original capitol of Equestira. Canterlot. Which they use as their own capitol. They have roughly an equal amount of All 3 pony races though the Unicorns are considered better than the other 2. They control the center of equestria and constantly claim to control all of it when in reality it is far from it. Ruled by a small group of descendants from Blueblood its only reason for surviving is the defensible nature of Canterlot and the army of loyal highly trained royal guards at their disposal. Unfortunately their society is highly segmented with the richest living in the city protected by the famed Guards while the poor live at the base of the mountain to mine or farm to provide for the gluttony for the rich. With a high proportion of unicorns the House of Bluebloods is a magic centered with some of the best magical academies still in use although only by those who can afford it.

Next is the House of Cloudsdale. As the Name entails it is a primarily Pegassi dominant Country, with only a third of the population being of earth ponies and a negligible amount of unicorns. Founded by The Wonderbolts as Equestria was falling apart to protect the city and its legacy. Its Capitol is obviously Cloudsdale with many smaller cloud cities dotted around their territory to protect the land they claim. Their Society is highly militaristic with the Leader of the House being the leader of the Wonderbolts. Which is a title that is only gained by completing a sacred and deadly trial by fire. With the population of earth ponies being used to create the food needed to run the war machine of the House, only pegassi are allowed in the military with whatever unicorns they can get allowed in as well. Fighting in battle is the highest honor a pegassi can get and are often promoted by merit rather than birth. But they are brutal in war, often killing any who don't die in the battle or choose to surrender and razing towns that they conquer. Killing entire populations no matter what species they are.

Our next Faction is the House of Magic. A house founded and run by one of the few known alicorns remaining. Twilight Sparkle. With the population being a majority unicorns, the House has a high priority on magic based skills and social mobility is based on your skill as a magician whether it be for war or for peace. With over 70% of the population unicorns, and 15% of both earth ponies and pegassi, the Society of the House of Magic is very geared towards the unicorns but unlike the House of Blueblood, Unicorns are not considered above the other races. The house of magic is often told to be one of the more accepting Houses on the war torn land of equestria. Still trying to negotiate peace with other factions and upholding the old equestrian motto 'Peace and Friendship'. Though of course they are prepared for war when time comes. Using the best spells and some of the best mages in the world they are a force to be reckoned with. Especially with twilight's personal magical corp. With a Equality for all species in their name it is a popular spot for traitors and refugees of other nations. making it the most diverse place.

The next Faction and possibly the one i know the least about is the House of Crystal, Formerly known as the Crystal Empire. They are the northern most faction and hold some of the most territory, but much of it is frozen wasteland, which the House uses as a defensive measure to defend the capitol City. Made of of mostly Crystal ponies there are very few pegassi earth ponies or unicorns. Though with the Natural magic resistance of the crystal ponies they don't have a strong need for the magic of unicorns. With their mostly isolation they are the most neutral of the factions since they have a slightly lower population than the average for other houses, and their isolation makes them not easily able to be invaded. They have become a strong economic power in the region with rulers from all the other houses storing their wealth in the Empire and having their merchants get special rights to trade in. Their leader is a mystery though, since most crystal ponies dont talk much about thier homeland when trading, it is not known whether it is the former Princess Cadence, or her daughter leading. Or if some other entity managed to take control.

This house is an odd one but expected. The House of Earth. You can guess its mainly earth ponies in this faction and you would be right. Run by a Council of earth ponies, most from the legendary 'Apple' Family, it is a odd form of government where the eldest of the earth ponies get 'elected' by the ponies and serve on the council for life. They have the largest amount of territory and grow much of the food in the War torn land. Since they have a negligible amount of magical users and about only 20% of the population is pegassi the House of Earth relies more on technological advancement rather than traditional magic. Coming up with new weapons and tools such as the 'hoof cannon' which is a gunpowder weapon i hear about. And have been using their strength as earth ponies to build great fortifications to defend thier land along with their advanced tech. They are more friendly towards earth ponies and pegassi though they despise unicorns since most unicorns consider themselves superior to earth ponies. Even in the house of magic there is great ethnic tension between the races.

The final house i know of is the House of Unity, the place where i intend to go. One of the smallest factions but the only one where i have a chance of gaining power to reunite equestria. Since their leader, a former element of harmony's daughter or sibling or something, Died there has been no heir to the throne. And thus the House has been slowly falling apart with nobles beginning to try and get power for themselves. This house, much like the House of magic, is more towards equality though in name more than in practice. Though a strong military tradition with a standing army much like the House of Cloudsdale instead of the usual Nobles and levy'd peasants/slaves.

This might be my last entry in my journal if this doesn't go well. And then equestria will stay divided until one of the factions gains more power and takes the others, which i doubt will happen. None of them seem to be in a position to do so but i intend to change that.

-Sunbeam. March 4th 143 ALR...

Sunbeam closes his journal and puts it in his pouch as he looks at the rising sun from his tent. Knowing that he must continue the journey to the house of unity before it falls or destroys itself. But he still has a few days travel left. Soon though the caravan he is travelling with wakes up as he prepares to continue on his journey towards destiny....

Author's Note

Well here's my new story. hopefully it turns out good. Please tell me any Constructive criticism such as spelling mistakes i made or sentences that make no sense.