The snow fell as it always did atop the highest mountain in Northern Equestria. Far away from even where the pegasi could never reach. Upon the mountaintop, was a stronghold surrounded by both the inner part of the mountain, and a reinforced stone wall. Within this place were many homes that belonged to a forgotten race of ponies that have long since remained in hiding ever since the crystal ponies vanished off the face of the earth when they were taken over by King Sombra. It was only them, and the two ruling princesses of Equestria that had knowledge of these ponies. Though, it was limited to them.

These ponies were large in stature. The males themselves at full adulthood grew even past the size of Celestia herself. And she stood at eight feet tall. No, the males themselves grew the most to twelve feet. Had lots of extra fluff on their body, especially on their chests and with a body as thick as a tree. With the females only being a few feet shorter and more curvy and soft, yet build for breeding, the mountain pony race was one not to be taken lightly. While usually gentle and kind to their own, they have been known to watch outsiders carefully who entered their town. If any came at all anyway.

The mountain ponies came in two varieties. Wingless and dual winged. Meaning that instead of one pair of wings, mountain ponies had two set. This making them proficient flyers for ponies their size. And the super thick fur to keep them naturally warm because of the harsh climate. Every male in the village and some females who chose the path were warriors. The exception was either the children or the elderly who had grown too old to fight. Apart from being warriors, they also had jobs as miners, blacksmiths, shop owners and alchemists.This story follows one of those very ponies. An alchemist and a skilled warrior who has grown up to be a fine stallion. His name is Mystogan.Not the most ponies would call their children, but mountain ponies don’t go with names like the common races do.

Mystogan walks along the path with his trusty sword that his father had crafted just for him when he turned sixteen. The blade has been with him for years and has never once dulled or chipped due to how much care he has put into the blade. With his dual set of wings resting under his cloak, and a void satchel that was given to him by his mother for his alchemy profession resting at his side, the stallion was always running about the town or leaving to go and find what herbs he could. Which were in easy to find if one had the right eyes and nose. Even in the snow. The path lead through the city until he finally got to his home that he shared with his parents. They firmly believed that family should stay close together as long as possible. Mostly because they were running out of room to build homes on the mountain tops. He finally made his way to the door and walked inside to see his mother and father gaze at him with looks of worry and anticipation. He blinks a few times and closes the door behind him,making his way to the table where they sat.

“Mom...Dad? Is everything alright..?”

He asked in a Nordic accent. That is the way that mountain ponies spoke after all.

“Come sit with us, son. Your mother and I need to speak to you about something serious.”

Said his father as he motioned him over to the table. Was he in trouble? Did they find out he was the one who used his handmade magic to nearly collapse the mine with explosions? He was ready for it though. But what he wasn’t ready for was to hear what his parents ready had to tell him and that it would certainly shock him.

“The village elders have decided it was the time our kind got out in the world once more. And they have decided to choose you to be the one to do so. As one of our few alchemists and gifted warriors, the vote was unanimous. Tomorrow morning, you are to depart.”

Mystogan’s mind exploded as this news was dropped on him. Did they choose him of all the stallions in the village to do this? His reaction certainly wasn’t what his parents expected. Instead of a worried look of his own, a smile form on his muzzle as his eyes sparkled with excitement. He had always wanted to go explore the world beyond the mountains. He got tired of the knowledge that laid in the books of the local library and wanted to get out and learn for himself.

“But, that’s wonderful news! I finally get to go out and expand my knowledge of alchemy and learn more about the other races! You both know I have hoped for a day like this since I was younger. Why are you so worried?”

“Well sweetie...it’s just..we don’t know how the world has changed. And as your parents, we are just worried about your safety. You are our only son after all. And to think that you will be out there on your own so far away…”

Said his mother who looked up at him with tears nearly getting ready to flow from her eyes. Mystogan smiled to his mother and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her in a loving manner.

“Come on mom. You should know that I can handle myself. Besides, it’s not like I couldn’t come back home later in the middle of my journey. I would just be away for maybe five months at the most. No big deal.”

Mystogan was taking this better than they both thought. But his mother, as most mothers do, had a hard time believing that her child was about to leave out in the world that she had no idea what was like anymore. But so see such enthusiasm on her son’s face. She couldn’t pressure him into declining the elders. She has known it to be a wish of his to one day go outside the boundaries of the mountains. And she wasn’t going to take that chance away from him.

“Come on, son. How about one more cup of ale before the big day tomorrow huh?”

“Big day?”

“Yeah, everypony is going to see you off when you go. So be sure you get plenty of rest tonight. Your mother and i have already prepared you a few things that are up in your room. And she will also be giving you quite a few bottles of your favorite soup. Which you should have no issue fitting into that special satchel of yours.”

For the rest of the night, Mystogan and his family spent it drinking ale and chatting with each other for the last time for a while. Remembering how just years ago, he was just a young colt who got into trouble as often as any other would. And that now, he has turned into a fine stallion, capable of handling himself. His parents were going to miss him, just as he was going to miss them.

--That Very Next Morning--

Mystogan stood in front of one of the long thick planks of wood that the winged mountain ponies dived off of when they were to head out for gathering resources and such. He turned behind to see the whole town eyeing him in his new armor his father had smithed together for him. It was platted in the vital places while not being too restricting so he could move properly. And it was nice and intimidating should anypony get any funny ideas. It even had a spot on the hood where his ears could slide into. Before he makes his departure, he walks up to his parent and hugs them one last time.

Goodbye mother, father. I will miss you both very much. But I will return home. I promise.”

“We know you will Mystogan. We both pray for your safe return.”

“Please be safe my sweet boy. I will miss having you come home each day,”

Just as he was about to make his way back to the plank, the head elder made his way through the crowd holding up a rather hefty sack in his hand. He smiles up at Mystogan and holds it out to him.

“Here you go young one. A little parting gift from the elders. You will be needing it where you are going.”

Mystogan blinks and opens up the bag, revealing inside it quite an abundance of bits. His looks up to the elder and smiles, bowing his head gratefully before sliding the bag into his void satchel where he kept many things, but mostly potions and handmade magic in a bottle and a few other things that would help him should he get in a jam. As he walked to the plank and stood there, he turned his head once more and smiled.

"I'll be back with plenty of new research material and new information about the lands below. You can count on me!"

He shouted before turning and running down to plank and giving a mighty leap as he spreads his wings and dives down until he lays himself out properly in the air and begins to take flight. He soon starts soaring through the air with a big smile on his face as he had already made it to the boundaries of the mountains. He drifted left and right with a big smile on his face, even doing a few barrel rolls in the process as his cloak flowed behind. He has never felt so free and unbound in all his life. After about a good twenty minutes, he discovered some railing that appeared to be train tracks. So he flew over them to follow the way they lead. One thing Mystogan noticed is that the air was lighter down here in the low lands.it was ten times easier to fly in!

“This is so amazing! To think I did not come down here sooner!”

He exclaimed to himself. Soon he’d come upon the grasslands and the outskirts of Ponyville. After a long flight he decided walking was the best idea for now. And making a stop in that town to check things out would be a good first step. Little did the mountain pony know, that things were going to get very exciting once he stepped his hooves into that town. VERY exciting.

Author's Note

Just imagine the armor without the batman symbol and the boots being in the style of anthro pony legs :P

May the darkness grant you peace.