Chapters Imperium of Ponykind: The Beginings
1 A Beginning to Something More
Greed, envy, sloth, wrath, lust, pride, and gluttony. Motivations that appear to control pony kind nowadays. Intentions that twist the mind of the kind-hearted and separate kin from their families. Our little world held peace with Twilight's reign that lasted for a multitude of years before multicolored lightning ripped through the skies leaving glimpses of faces that seemed downtrodden, angry or just plain evil. Unicorns seemed scared and panicked. All of their colors blanched, fading from technicolor to weak pastels. Earth ponies dropped to their haunches wincing in pain sending shocks of agony and weakness sprawling across their bodies. Pegasi hurdled towards the soils of Equestria like raindrops from sweet Celestia's sky, some finding their way down safely and others landing with a bone-cracking thud against houses, signposts, and the concrete or dirt. The occasional unlucky few being pierced with picket fences prying through their flesh smearing dark red stain on the wooden planks and puddles of crimson pooled on the ground below. Panic quickly spread. Reports of this spread at the same pace across the lands of Equestria.
Confusion and fear muddied the minds of Ponykind. Gloom arose as moral fell. Even Pinkie, the Element of Laughter, had difficulty keeping her smile that every pony had seen nearly every day had grown into a frown. Generosity seemed bleak and rare with ponies forgetting how to share. Kindness faded and heated arguments erupted without care or compassion. Honesty abandoned itself with twisted lies hindering communication. Loyalty lost, ponies literally and figuratively started to stabbed each other in the back. The magic of friendship faded leaving only remnants to be found between the closest of friends.
Sadden by daily troubles the six sat in conversation trying to devise a plan to reverse the effects that the strange storms had caused this cruel world epidemic. But what were they to do about it? These energies that threatened their existence didn't behave like normal magic. This turned and twisted the normal bounds of what even Celestia, who has existed for much more than a millennium, was uncertain what this estranged energy was doing. After a while of discussion, an idea was thrown out onto the table. Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Twilight and even Flurry Heart, who was now full grown, would combine their power in an attempt to stop these wretched and manipulative storms. Neither of them knew what consequences that this may spawn. But after all, this was the best option at hoof. The elements were too weakened due to the fact that most of every pony had abandoned the idea of friendship. The tree now withering and wasting away. Without friendship, the Everfree Forest would eventually consume the cave. Applejack along with the other four had protested. Though when questioned about it, were unable to offer up a better solution. They were to meet up in a week's time to carry their solution in the cave that the Tree of Harmony resided in.
The story managed to spread quickly and as the alicorns met in the early morning, so did a couple hundred other ponies, mostly unicorns, were ready to give their life for the old Equestria they once used to know. They initiated the ritual all focusing their total life force at the Tree of Harmony. A massive swarm of energy collected completely encasing the tree in a rainbow of colors. The light illuminated the cave shunning even the smallest of shadows from the cave. Immediately this gave the tree new life and strength, even stronger than when Starswirl the Bearded had originally created the elements. Ponies from all across saw the light as an aurora of mass energies lit up the nation.
The cave abruptly stood still. The cave walls were burned and charred. The ponies in the cave lay there deceased their pigment faded to grey washed colors. In the center a pony three times the size of a normal pony laid where the tree once had been. Around him, a golden fire glowed in a circle with mass amounts of heat radiating from it. The new pony was winged with a curved horn eighteen inches long glowing with a brilliant gold. A couple moments later the light faded leaving the cave dark seemingly lifeless.
The new pony groaned as he stood up. Muscles ached as he stood completely thrown from a lack of knowledge about his location. A dim light shined as he stumbled to the opening of the cave. He looked at a town's worth of ponies staring shocked. He was covered in all sorts of tribal-like markings that covered his body. The new pony stared back not understanding. Abruptly everything he saw made sense. A massive wave of information filled his mind causing him to fall into ripping pain from all of the memories that flooded in. Weak he stood ignoring the pain pushing the throbbing headache to the back of his mind. Applejack sat shocked. Rarity and Fluttershy broke down into wailing tears. Pinkie Pies mane went from its cotton candy fluff to a slick straight down style. Pinkie's posture also depressed itself.
Rainbow Dash started to tear up then in rebellion yelled in anger "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH ALL OF OUR FRIENDS" Then in a burst of angry speed she sped toward the new pony and attempted a shot toward his head. The new pony, who still remained nameless, effortlessly stepped to the side appearing only as a blur to others. Once again, the ponies stood shocked. Rainbow tried shot for shot to hit the pony but the only thing she managed to do, was become tired. The "god" pony, as some were calling him now, wasn't even out of breath.
"Are you done?" a voice echoed.
His voice echoed. There was an intimidation to his voice yet somehow it was also calming. Confident yet soothing. His voice was like a thousand people speaking in stereo but it was completely relaxed. Silence filled the air and soon as it came, it was broken by some pony questioning,
"And who might you be?" Colgate questioned.
With no delay, he spoke. "I am the reincarnation of all of your friends and to some, family. I encase all of their memories within my head. I know each and every one of you as if I had known you for the entirety of my life..."
Pinkie interrupted "You have known us for all of your life."
"... from a baby", he continued. "I am a fusion of multiple consciences yet I stand as one being. Ponies from every walk of life gathered and composed into one being."
As he spoke a picture of his tribal marking receded toward his flank and formed in condensed golden energy into a galaxy.
"This is who I am" he ended.
The same pony responded with "I meant what's your name?"
"Oh," he said bleakly. "I as of right now do not have a name. I was just born to err, created you see. Thus I remain nameless".
"Ether Eternal" some pony shouted. Once again every pony went silent after realizing that Fluttershy was the one who shouted.
As always, this was a shock.
Imperium of Ponykind: The Beginings
"I shall take the name graciously. Fluttershy, is that correct?" he questioned inquisitively braking the silence.
Scattered murmurs whispered their way out of the crowd.
"Y-y-yes," said Fluttershy almost inaudibly.
The poor timid mare retracted in attempt to escape questioning from this new... pony but, to no luck due to the wall of ponies behind her. Yet Fluttershy didn't keep attention for long. After all, he stood three times mass and yet was perfectly proportionate, unlike Bulk Biceps. He was just too small to fit his enormous muscles that cascaded the length of his body.
No, he was... handsome. He was just larger. His calves rippled with muscle his body toned from neck to haunches that popped with the promise that it wasn't all show and tell. He was also gifted down under. Like really gifted. In essence, he was perfect.
An aurora of lightning shot through the sky lighting the building in shades of blues, purples, deep red, and a sickly green. Once again, and increasing in frequency, alarms would blare warning that the storms of magic would thrust deep into the skies of Ponyville. The ponies quickly lost their attention off of the monstrous pony and back to the problem at hoof. Ponies scattered like cockroaches in light racing towards shelter in nearby buildings. Seeking shelter, lightning caught ponies every now and again zapping them into non-existence leaving only ash and burn marks on the ground in shapes of shadows. Screams were heard from multitudes of directions some being cut off by death's grip. Ponies ran into homes sheltering themselves under tables chairs and other household furniture. Windows that were left from previous storms were shattered by the force of the earth-shaking lightning.
Hours of the storms occurred before calming down leaving destruction and more weeping for lost lives. As for Ether, he had found safety at Sugarcube Corner behind a counter. Inside was the only way that the ponies could think of to protect themselves from the devastation. Even then, some buildings threatened to collapse from the damage left. Scared, ponies reluctantly stepped from their house. Ether was calm, however. Like he had been through this time and time again. He trotted out past the thresh hold of the house and in a confident manner reminded every pony to keep calm and find sanction in others around them.
"During times like these, you must remain calm. Do yourselves a favor and be on each other's side. Do NOT abandon your friendships and ambitions for storms. I remind you all to understand that we have had strikes from those who wished us harm. Tirek, he who stole magic from everypony, earth ponies, and unicorns alike. Crysalis, who with her armies of changelings sought to the downfall of Canterlot and Equestria. Sombra, who single hoofed, took over the Chrystal Empire. Discord, who used his nonsense magic to turn everything topsy-turvy. And last and certainly not least, Nightmare Moon. She who wanted nothing more than for darkness and eternal night to shroud the Lands of Equestria. Yet no matter the cost, no matter the contention, no worry the quandary, we stood up and raised our hooves in pride ready for fisticuffs. We will do the same here. Not only for our survival, not only for our safety but for all of Equestria. We as one force shall live to tell the tale that is our history."
His lecture spoke volumes of what he was capable of. What we were capable of. Silence stood for only a moment. One after the other, hooves stomped in approval. The cheering was voiced by the many upon the crowd. Only a couple of ponies stood in trepidation and silence.
Those who stood in silence rebelled yelling about how the world is going to end and that there was nothing that they would be able to do. This screaming was short lived as Ether Eternal silenced the crowd with a window-shaking scream of "SILENCE!!!" The crowd once again grew silent.
"Gather yourselves! Why waste vitality to engage amongst yourselves, when there is a more monumental problem at hoof. You are fools if you do not raise your hooves back against the tyrannical force that threatens your livelihood" he declared. "So rise. Lift yourselves in confidence to strike back against thine enemy. Reach past your own selfish ambitions thus the be your last. Today we begin strife, today we prevail against what once was futile and thrive in such a nation of dignity and pride. We show them that we are not to be tampered with" his voice spoke in a manner that could only be described as confident.
"Horah. Horah. Horah." Cheered the crowds.
"We shall meet in the Princesse's castle for those who want to fight. We shall devise a plan to get back at those who yearn to take the freedoms that we all become accustomed to." was his last declaration.
Imperium of Ponykind: The Beginings
A few hours went by and ponies from every walk of life trodded down to the princesses castle which was shockingly untouched by the waves of destruction. Mabie this was the last remnants that remained of friendship and of fun times that seemed to be long gone. However, just by being there made the ponies almost happy, like there was hope and faith that the ponies ever stood a chance against whatever was to come. As each one answered the call of need, the castle grew other colors and hues that represented the Elements of Harmony.
Alas, the ponies gathered in the corridor that the Elements table and map resided in. The map was easily visible to all with ranges of cutie marks from Applejack's to Colgate's to Lyra's and everything in between. The map challenged all to join the conquest to show what true friendship could do. It seemed that everypony's cutie mark was mapped across the land of Equestria. Even the Elements knew that the lands needed to be united as was true of everypony.
The room was in chaos. Chattering causing the room to be boisterous with words lost in the crowd, some devising plans, and others with random nonsense to alleviate the tension of the current state of events. There was also those who came from the insane asylums that every pony knows to be crazy enough to join such a radical cause. Everything seemed happy in the room. No pony felt scared, possibly due to the fact that the crystal blue castle as still in one peace or maybe the fact that this was the room that was created in friendship and the last of the energies had created a peace inside of it, although some felt this to be a false sense of security, but a sense of security never the less. Most enjoyed it while it lasted.
Once again the now familiar voice echoed inside of the hall.
"It's time!" commanded Ether's voice.
The room grew silent. Tension grew as did anticipation of what was to come. At the far side of the room was a blue crystalline podium in which Ether stood behind. Above Ether was a banner that stated A New Empire Shall Stand in the Old Empire's Shadow . Behind Ether was an off-white screen that was used for a projected image although at this moment in time was not being used. In the center of the room sat the table, above the table was the roots and images of Twilight and her friends and images of the past played in the sequential order given you were standing in the right spot and the right lighting that hit the memory crystal shards.
"We are stronger together. Think of all the accomplishments that the mane six have risen up to the challenge. We would do well to be reminded that friendship is the bonding peace in every relationship that has occurred. Our own bond leaves us with the power to stand up in even the grimmest times. It's time that we hold to the tide that our friends set forth and the power that each and every one of us knows. It's time for us to ensure we avenge those who have fallen in our midst. It's time to pursue our friends, our family, our loved ones and ourselves. It's time we stand for a cause and live in out the dreams of ourselves and others. It's time to restore peace to our great lands. It's time we capture our freedom from those who seek devastation for reasons not yet revealed. We shall stand and set forth on a mission that may be difficult, but not impossible. Don't lose hope yet. Don't abandon faith too soon. Use your body, minds, and spirits to constitute new beginnings, new foundations, new lives. Don't let the darkness muck your minds. Chaos has been at our fingertips more than once. Every time we have risen up to the challenge. And we will this time as well. Each bowl has been set behind me with the symbols of the Elements of Harmony. Each of the ponies behind me you will recognize as the bearers of the Elements. Pinkamena Diane Pie is the representative of Laughter, Rainbow Dash as the Element of Loyalty, Rarity as the Element of Generosity, Apple Jack as the Element of Honesty, Fluttershy as the Element of Kindness, and myself as the new bearer of the Element of Magic. Each will choose which Element of Harmony you so think you are more closely associated with as I call you up one by one. You will cut your hoof and drop blood into the bowl. This will be a blood bond not only to the Element but to the cause that you will swear to uphold." His lecture was long but inspiring.
The Choosing as some were calling it seemingly took hours mayhaps because of the droning silence or mayhaps the numerous amount of ponies that stood in the room. Ether called each name one after the other somehow without mispronunciation, slip up or stutter. He also managed with relatively no prep time was able to speak the names in perfect alphabetical order, starting with Amethyst Star and ending with Zecora. Now divided into groups he began his speech once more.
"Now each and every one of you beginning now is in a directorate and will be given a vocation by the Directorate leaders depending on your cutie mark. Some will make food and some will make technologies to further us in preparation for the altercation to come. We shall learn together as one, train together as one, and fight together as one. I will personally teach each and every individual how to fight using what they are good at whether it be flying or flower sorting. Now go and plant the seed of the uprising so it may bloom a new beginning and LET US TAKE BACK OUR NATION!!!"
The crowd began cheering HOORAH once more. This time with conviction and dignity. They spoke with confidence not seen since the beginning of the storms and even possibly ever. Every group led the roughly same amount of recruits with the exception of the Directorate of Magic which visibly held the least amount to join. This was to one simple fact: Ponies to specialize in magic were rare to come by.
Each train to depart set off for a different location that morning. So did each group. This would ensure that the most ground could be covered in the least amount of time. Each Directorate was given a list of locations to visit. The Directorate of Magic was sent to Canterlot first. Loyalty was sent to Cloudsdale. Of course, only Pegasi were able to go there. Loyalty, led by Rainbow Dash was sent to the Crystal Empire. Honesty to Manehatten. Generosity to Western Equestria. And Kindness was sent to Rockville. After which they made their rounds all across of Equestria from Califoalnia to Fillydelphia.
Some lives were lost in the expedition due to the storms. However, more was recruited then that was lost. After a month of recruiting the new recruits were to meet up in the castle once more for the Choosing. Again bowls were set and the process continued with the same order and the same speech. Hours upon hours went by and at last the ceremony was complete.
Each Directorate was given a task.They were to practice that task until they perfected it. The tasks ranged quite a bit. Some practiced basket weaving whilst others practiced a range of fighting skill that they would often see on T.V. in martial arts channels such as cage fighting. The tasks proved to be sometimes difficult, however, there were the occasional few that showed to do each task with relative ease. Ether would walk around to ensure that each task was done according to a set of strict standards.
After the day's end, the proctor stood and announced "Tomorrow there will be a standardized test that will explain your strengths and weaknesses. Each and every pony will take this test. The Board of Directorates will meet me in the conference room so we may discuss the extent of this test. Part of the test will be written and the other part will be hands-on so as to check skills. The written test will be in the mess hall. As for the hands-on portion, we will pick who finishes the test first and see to who gets placed in what job that lies for them. I will not lie, there will be dangerous tasks so it is imperative that you so not falsify anything on this test. Falsification or even cheating can cause you to suffer worse fates then even death. Not from us but to the warp energies that may spawn. Everypony is good at something that will be beneficial to the cause. It's our job to exploit that talent to better assist us."
Some grew tired of the monotonous and rather long speeches, but somehow each and every pony was touched in some way.
The day drew to an end and every pony was kept there for the safe haven from the storms. A good portion of them unable to sleep due to their nightmares that were no longer being saved from Princess Luna. The night other wise was quite and almost peaceful.
