The Age of Steam: Rise of the Earth Ponies

"It all began so distantly in the past, still, most of the knowledge was written down in the old books. So don't let yourself be fooled by the thought of time wearing away the truth. The knowledge survives yet, perfectly conserved. So listen closely, this might be part of the upcoming test."

Cheerilee paused for a moment to survey her class and then continued. "As we all know roughly one thousand years ago the three tribes of ponies moved from their home, to Equestria. The Pegasi had no troubles doing so, for they simply moved their great cloud cities. The Unicorns too had no problems, for with their magic constructing a new home was a breeze. We Earth Ponies on the other hoof had more troubles to contend with. Not only did the other tribes rely on us for food, but constructing our new homes without magic was no easy task. And with these difficulties came conflict, and like many conflicts this led to war. This war, known as The First War, was lost in a matter of days." Cheerilee looked up again and noticed Apple Bloom not paying attention to the lesson.

"Apple Bloom, is there a reason you're not paying attention? Is our history not interesting enough for you? Perhaps you would prefer extra lessons after regular classes. We can arrange that if you wish."

Apple Bloom, startled, looked up. "No Miss Cheerilee, Ah'm just, a bit worked up is all." Cheerilee nodded and said "I understand" then turned back to the class.

"Now, where was I? Oh yes, The First War. After our crushing defeat we were forced out of our lands and into hiding underground with nothing but our wits and will to survive. Fortunately Earth Ponies are hardy and we did survive, as you can clearly see. Our Ancestors found ores and water in abundance but power without magic was something we lacked. Luckily our ancestors' ingenuity came to their aid and led them to the use of steam power. With this technology they had found all the power they would ever need, and the construction of our homes underground completed in due time. We were finally independent of the other tribes."

The clock above the chalk board clicked to the hour and rang loudly. "Class dismissed. Have a nice day everypony." Cheerilee said. Apple Bloom immediately grabbed her things, throwing them into her saddle bag. She threw it over her shoulder and left the classroom, entering hallway carved entirely out of stone. A few lamps gave off a dim light as she walked past her classmates paying them no attention. She was too busy thinking about her sister, about her imminent deployment to the surface, about how she might never see her again.

She left the school deep in thought and entered the lift with everypony else. With a rattle and hiss of steam the lift began to move down. Suddenly the walls fell away to reveal an enormous cavern, brightly lit by a large tower in the middle. Apple Bloom didn't even glance at the view; after all, she had seen it many times before. The lift finally halted it's downward progress and moved onto a horizontal rail, heading towards the center of the cavern where the city lay. As the lift entered the city the metallic walls of the buildings began to block out the light and the lift fell into the relative shadows, lit only by the much dimmer street lamps of the city itself.

Finally the lift reached it's destination and came to a halt. As her classmates pushed out Apple Bloom was left with a new purpose. She headed away from her classmates towards the tower; it was here that she would find her sister. As she walked along the dimly lit streets she passed several speakers attached to pipes on the walls, spewing out propaganda about their glorious town and the success they would soon face.

As she arrived at the tower a guard intercepted her. "Halt. State your name and business." Apple Bloom grabbed her pass from her saddlebags and said "Ah'm Apple Bloom, and Ah want to see mah sister Applejack" The guard inspected the pass closely then waved her past.

"Very well, be about your business" Apple Bloom pushed the door open and walked to where the elevator would take her higher into the tower. As she reached forward to call down the elevator she noticed it descending towards her already. As it reached ground level a small bell rang, then the doors opened. Inside was a pink pony with flat, straight hair and rather fancy clothing. She was guarded by two Stallions. "Oh it's you Apple Bloom, what are you doing here?" demanded the pony.

"Uh, Ah'm here to see ma sister" said Apple Bloom nervously, for Pinkie Pie had taken a liking to war far more than many of the other ponies had, and there were many rumors of her interrogation techniques circulating, none of them pleasant.

"Well, I can't say I approve of you wandering round here, getting underhoot." said Pinkie "But last I saw she was still in the conference room" And with that she pushed past Apple Bloom, her guards following in her wake. Apple Bloom shivered and hurried into the elevator before it closed. She pressed the button for the 20th floor and stepped back. With a few clicks and a hiss of steam the elevator began it's upward journey. Finally it reached the 20th floor and the doors opened to a large room with several ponies round a circular table occupying the center. As she stepped out of the elevator a familiar orange pony spotted her and walked over. "Apple Bloom, what in tarnation are you doin' here?"

"I jus' wanted to visit you before you... leave..."

"Aw Sugarcube, there ain't no need fer that, ya didn't think I'd leave without sayin' goodbye did ya?"

"Well Ah guess... Ah guess Ah just wanted to make sure is all."

"Ya silly filly, tell ya what, come have a look at this" Applejack said, gesturing towards the center table.

Apple Bloom walked over and saw a map of the surface, carefully laid out on the table. "This here is the surface, an' that's where we're headed. Jus' think of it. Real sunlight, real weather, real trees, none o' this fake stuff we have down here." Apple Bloom looked back at Applejack, "But what if you it fails, what if we don't win..."

"Aw, don't say that Apple Bloom, course we're gonna win. After all, they don't know we’re comin', and what with all these here steam engines, Ah dare say they won't stand a chance."

"Well Ah guess so..." Applejack turned back to the others in the room. "Ah think we're done here everybody. Ya have your orders an' ya'd best see to 'em." she said, then turning back to Apple Bloom, "Ah think it's time we headed home, Ah still gotta say goodbye ta Big Macintosh." And with that they trotted back to the lift. As they travelled down in the lift Apple Bloom remained silent, not looking at her sister. Regardless of what Applejack said, she was still worried about this war, and more so about their chances of success. The silence between them continued as they walked home.

The Apple Family Orchards were definitely a sight to behold. Rows of trees surrounded by pipes and various apparatus, all designed to keep the trees healthy and alive and, though this process was nowhere near as effective as above ground would be, it sufficed. The two sisters walked down the main path, past the machinery and pipes, towards a large house not dissimilar to the top of a clock tower in design. Entering the house they were greeted by a large red stallion with a mechanical leg where his rear left leg should have been.

"Well hay there Big Mac, anythin' new?"

"Eenope," he stated.

"Any idea where Granny might be at?" Big Mac nodded to a door on his left, a stallion of few words.

Entering said door brought them into the house's sitting room. An exceptionally old pony was seated in a rocking chair; it was, of course, Granny Smith, the oldest member of the Apple family. "Oh, hello there you two. You really don't visit me enough these days Applejack, and I guess you'll be here to say goodbye then?" Applejack looked down at her hooves, "That'd be right Granny, though Big Mac'll still be here ta look after ya." "Don't be silly Applejack, I don't need looking after!" As they talked Apple Bloom began to nod off in her chair, eventually falling asleep.