It is said that history is the greatest of teachers. The force that determines the world of the present and who we are and will be in the future. All our actions are recorded and remembered by the mark we leave in the pages of history, and those who fail are lost to the endless river of time. Yet even time can wipe away history, and often we can choose to forget the past. But though we can choose to not remember the past, the past will always remember.

And those who lived the past, will never forget.

I will tell you of such a tale. It is a tale of love and betrayal. Adventure and tragedy. Horror and joy. A history and a legend that blurs the lines of reality and fantasy. A tale of a long ago past we have forgotten, and yet still to this day compels our world today.

It begins in the ages past, known as the Second Age. The Age of Wonders. The Era of Peace. The Time of Joy. The Year of Gold. The Glorious Age. The Age of Harmony. Many names from many cultures were given to this age, but a single name is often used to describe it. The Great Age.

In this age the world was divided between four great nations. In the south the nation of the Spider Oracles, a great race of giant spiders and their Arachnid kind who weaved an entity known to them as The Great Web of Destiny, and the nation of the Reptoids, Salamanders, Dragons and the mysterious Yun-ti, who guarded and constructed great temple cities in the jungles and deserts they roamed, guarding the ancient Leylines that fueled magic across the world.

To the north lie the nation of the Equisins, a race of horned and winged humanoids with tails and equine ears; though they called themselves Alicorns. Ruled by the Royal Family of the Twin Stars, the Equisins built a great culture and nation on magic, with cities dotting the open fields and the heavenly skies. Alongside them, grew the great human kingdom of Nargahal. Though lacking in natural magic or abilities as the other races had, the race of men were blessed with drive, spirit and a desire to learn and grow. Though these traits had often brought them to conflict with the other races as much as themselves in the past, they now lived in harmony with their Equis neighbors and built a culture of honor and knightly valor.

Though other minor nations populated the world, it was these four Great Nations who had united the world into a single great council run by the leaders of each respective nation. Together they worked to avoid conflict and to build a world where all creatures would live in harmony. It is said that in this time, great wonders were made, people able to be brought back from the brink of death. Food in abundance that no creature went hungry and even the poorest could be content that they would not go to bed hungry and cold, as all nations united to ensure that all were fed and cared for. It seemed a golden age that would never end.

But sadly it did.

The records are incomplete, if not entirely destroyed. But what little remains that can be studied, an individual known only as Calaban, was born. Who or what this man, woman or creature was is long forgotten. Even some scholars wonder if Calaban is the name they were born with or a name given over time. But what can be deciphered is that this being brought the end of the second age.

As the details of Calaban are a mystery the details of the ending of the Second Age are as much a mystery. What is known is that Calaban had brought war to the world. Leading individuals desiring power from across the nation known only as the Overlords, and leading armies of twisted creatures forged by magic and dark rituals, Calaban shattered the realms, drove many races to the brink of extinction and nearly conquered all the known world. Only to be stopped by an individual known only as The Lion.

The Lion, and his allies known collectively as the Four Great Generals; their names are lost to history, led the armies of the Four Nations in a united stand against the armies of Calaban. Under their leadership, the dark armies of Calaban were pushed back to his stronghold known only as Dul-Samath. We do not known what this translates to, or what language it is from. But is known is that Calaban was slain and his armies and the Overlords scattered and slain to the last.

The records are cloudier still after this war, known only as The Great War of Darkness. From the few texts that remain the world attempted to restore itself after the war. Progress seemed to have bene made, as detailed in inspirational letters and art remaining of the era, but was lost as another war seemed to break out.

The exact details of the second war are lost. But it is said that the Lion and his generals, went mad and began a war of eradication. Some races were driven to extinction, and others so decimated that they still to this day have never recovered the numbers they are said to have had. This war lasted until the Lion and his generals were slain. This war was known only as The Great Betrayal. But many scholars wonder....what drove a once might hero to betray his nation and friends. That is what I Quill Bottle seek to reveal in this...

"TWILIGHT!"

"AH!"

Twilight screamed, shooting from her chair and into the air. She looked down at the lanky, scaled Salamander of purple scales and green head frills.

"Spike! What gives?!" Twilight asked, flying down back into her chair, "I was just getting to the good part!"

Spike sighed, "Sorry, but I was trying to get your attention for almost an hour. Its twelve minutes past noon. You're going to be late for the picnic."

Twilight blinked and laughed, "Oh Spike that's not due till tomorrow. Pinkie said so in her letter."

Spike raised a scaly brow and held up a calender, and pointed to the X'd off day and then the circled day.

"You mean the letter she sent yesterday?"

Twilight blinked, then jumped from her chair with a scream, "Yikes, you're right! How could I forget!? Quick my clothes!"

"You're wearing them." Spike said, "Actually weren't you wearing those yesterday?"

"Yes!" Twilight said, her mane now starting to get frazzled as she looked around for fresh clothes, no a shower she needed a shower first!

Oh and she had to get snacks! Drinks! Oh how could she forget?

Spike sighed, "Here. I kinda had a feeling this would happen," He produced a small picnic basket and a pile of fresh clothes. "You tend to forget things when you have a new book. What are you even reading?"

Twilight seemed a little less frazzled and sighed, "Oh Spike, you're the best." She patted his head.

"Heh, yeah I am pretty great."

Twilight rolled her eyes, "And as for what i'm reading its Quill Bottles latest Compendium of the Four Ages from the Age of Beginnings to the Age of the Two Sisters. I've been dying to read it ever since he announced it almost ten years ago."

Spike blinked, "Uh...you mean when you were still in magic kindergarden?"

"Yeah." Twilight nodded with a smile, "It's the most amazing book ever. It has information concerning the past ages even I didn't know. The First age was absolutely amazing, covering the rise of the Alicorn kingdom to the arrival of humans from across the Endless Sea."

Spike looked at the book, almost as tall as him, "It looks uh...interesting. Uh, maybe we can talk more about it though on the way to the picnic."

Twilight blinked, squeeked then ran to the bathroom to quickly wash a change. Spike only sighed and took the basket in his claws.

"Well looks like just another day." He said, as he headed to the door of the castle. He knew Twilight would head there as soon as she changed. He looked out the window as he passed at the bright shining sun in the sky. A beautiful day for a picnic. He hoped everyone liked the cookies he made; especially Rarity. Friends, punch and sweets. What could ruin it?

Author's Note

Daaaaaaaaamn. Its been.....damn. Long. Sorry to all my readers. I graduated college, then I got a full time job. Then I just sort of well, fell into a slump of apathy. Trying to respark the writing bug in me, and I hope doing this will help not just my fanfic work but other works. Or at least make me feel like Im not wasting my time on my days off when i dont go to the gym and just sit infront of the computer.