But who shall dwell in these worlds if they be inhabited? . . .
Are we or they Lords of the World? . . .
And how are all things made for man?--
Kepler (quoted in The Anatomy of Melancholy)
"Alright Twilight, it's bed time!" The grey mare sat down at her designated "bedtime" chair and got out a small, picture book.
"Not that book Mommy!" Cried the small purple filly.
"Okay silly! Then which one, Twiley?"
"The big book, about the Tripode and the journal! Please."
"Alright, sweetie." And she opened the brown, worn book.
Once upon a time, in a far, cold, disunited land; Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies fought over the most pettiest of things. Fire, land, food, money. The Unicorns demanded superiority amongst Ponykind. The Pegasi wanted militaristic domination of Equis. The Earth ponies wanted a higher standing amongst other ponies. This conflict of interests caused many fights and battles.
Then, Equestria was discovered-
“That’s the story of Hearth's Warming Eve, Mommy!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Let me finish, dear. This story is just beginning…” The motherly mare picked her book back up, and continued reading…
Then, Equestria was discovered, and the Three Tribes unified under the rule of Princess Celestia. After a few months, the newly-found Equestrian Messengers were sent back to the Ancient Homelands to inform the ponies who remained, however they came back with nopony but themselves. And a story to tell...
When the messengers arrived to their ancestral homes, they found it to be empty. But the homes looked burnt, as if a dragon attacked. The air was thick and dark, despite the winds being so strong. And in one Unicornian home, there was a journal titled, Tripodas Movet Machina, also known as The Tripod Machine. All that is known of the journal is that it described a battle over a machine of extraordinary capabilities. And a struggle for the truth in a time when lies were abundant.
The messengers reunited with each other, and in sorrow, left the Ancient Homelands. The messengers were greeted with a parade to welcome them home, but soon the Equestrians realized that the messengers were the only ponies to come back. The journal was given to Princess Celestia, whom locked it into a hidden vault. Not many things are known about the journal. But one thing is known, that if this journal was found by anypony, that pony would have knowledge of the whereabouts of this evil machine. And Equestria as we know it would be changed forever.
"But of course that's just a silly foal's tale. Right mommy?" The filly was awestruck. A machine that could shoot pure fire? That couldn't be possible!
"Of course my little Spark. Just a silly foal's tale. Now, it's bedtime Twilight." The mare tucked Twilight into bed, and kissed her on the head.
"Good night Mommy." Twilight turned to her side and wondered. Wondered about lost lands, journals, and giant Tripod machines.
In Canterlot Castle, a princess of the sun, was reading this exact journal, in her private bedchambers, when she noticed something. Something she saw everyday, on the flank of her own personal student. The 6-sided, purple star surrounded by 5 stars. It was sketched into the journal, right before a rough sketch of the Tripode. It intrigued her, as this was a rare mark, compared to apples or hourglasses. She closed the journal, and went to bed, wondering. Wondering about prophecies, Twilight Sparkle, and carnage unleashed upon Equestria.
Deep underground, in a cavern as huge as a mansion, a grey machine continues to dig it's way out of the earth. But, alas, this machine is unable to escape. To see the light of day, something extraordinary needed to happen. Six somethings, to be specific. In the dark and quiet of it's self-imposed exile, the machine replays it's last recordings of dialogue for what seems to be the hundredth.
"This machine belongs to the Unicornis Tribus!"
"Never! The Tripode Machina belongs to the Pegasi Tribe!"
"Nie! This great war machine was found in the Earth Pony Tribe lands!"
"NO. YOU HAVE ALL LIED TO ME. NO ONE SHALL KNOW WHAT I KNOW."
"Wait!"
"Nien!"
"IT IS NO USE TO TRY TO STOP ME."
And with that final, commanding statement, all was silent in the caverns of old. At the corner of the cave was a home-made doll of old. It was a radiant alicorn, with a multi-hued hair comprised of string. The machine stopped digging, grabbed the small doll, and curl into a ball, wondering. Wondering if it will ever escape, wondering about little ponies, ice coldness, and the dark.
On the barren surface of the moon, the Princess of the Night, Luna, watched the planet below her. She could feel the barriers and wards keeping her on the Moon fade, Luna was going to be completely gone soon. And when that happened, she feared she would try to find the machine. The Nightmare would wake, and she, with the Tripode Machina would plunge the land in night forever. All the while, Luna wondered as she awoke from her daytime sleep. Wondered about the prophecy, nightmares, and her sweet sister.
Normally, Discord would be messing around with his realm (really just his mind), but he knew something was up. Celestia hadn't come to visit him like she normally did around this time. He was quite looking forward to their talk about today's events (just another noble complaining), and him trying to jokingly convince her to let him out. He could feel the stone loosening up, and he was quite glad about that. Seeing as he was getting tired and bored, so he started wondering (which honestly is not health). Wondering about cotton candy, chocolate milk, and the most chaotic schemes he could come up with.
