“Where did the alicorn amulet come from?”

Twilight blinked, and looked up from her book, gazing curiously at her assistant who stood patiently before her. “I’m sorry what was that?”

“I asked where the alicorn amulet came from.” Spike reiterated.

“Well that was quite out of the blue.” Twilight murmured, folding her book and putting it on the end table next to her.

“Well I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and I was kinda struck by the fact that I knew nothing about it.” Spike explained.

Twilight nodded slowly. “It's not a nice story, I’ll tell you that much.”

Spike pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m almost sixteen Twilight, I can handle a scary story.”

Twilight chuckled. “Oh I know you can, but it's just not the nicest tale ever.”

“I think I’ll be the judge of that.”

“If you insist, though I am curious as to what brought this on in the first place.”

Spike shrugged. “I was just talking to Trixie the other day and she mentioned how strange the amulet was and how she felt like there was a voice whispering to her from a great distance whenever she wore it.”

“Ahh yes, that would be the voice of Towering Oak, its creator.” Twilight remarked.

“Towering Oak? That sounds like an earth pony name” Spike questioned.

Twilight nodded, and gestured to a nearby chair. “Pull up a seat, this one will take a bit of explaining.”

Spike dragged the other chair closer before plunking down into it. “Alright, ready.”

“Well the first thing you need to know is that Towering Oak was indeed an earth pony, and she was the leader of the standing stones. Which was an organization founded shortly after the unification wars had concluded which served as an advocacy group dedicated to ensuring earth ponies did not lose any of their rights.” Twilight explained.

“But I thought Celestia and Luna were in charge by then. Why would they worry about something like that?” Spike questioned.

“Because the last rulers of unicornia were granted advisor status after the wars were over, and though this was a largely ceremonial position it made the other tribes fearful.” Twilight continued. “They saw the unicorn’s continued presence in court as a slight against the rest of the tribes who did not receive such treatment.”

“But it's not like they had any powers to actually make any decisions right?”

Twilight nodded. “That is true, but again, they didn't know that. Celestia feared that the unicorns would rebel, and gave their last leaders those positions in an effort to placate them with meaningless titles.”

“But she couldn't let anyone know they were meaningless without the unicorns causing problems.” Spike murmured.

“Exactly.” Twilight proclaimed with a smile. “The princesses were in an awkward place, but were confident that they could simply wait for the unicorn leaders to die and then not replace them. They had not been aware that this would lead to a minor uprising, and the creation of one of the most evil, and powerful artifacts ever known.”

“So what happened?” Spike asked, scooching forward in his seat.

“Three things. First, the standing stones met for the last time, then they raided the twin peaks castle before attempting to kill both Celestia and Luna.” Twilight exclaimed.

“Woah.”

“Would you like to hear more?” Twilight offered.

Spike nodded eagerly. “Yes please.”

“Alright, but remember, these were different times, and fear over what the princesses may do with their new power was a very real concern.” Twilight waved a hoof. “Oh and though I wont do the voices, I will translate what they would have said into more modern vernacular. I don't want to accidentally get stuck sounding like I’m in some Shakespearean play.”

“Daw but I like it when you do the voices.” Spike complained.

“Fine, but I expect you to not say a word until the story is over, okay?”

Spike bobbed his head.

“Alright, so it all started near a small village just south of where Ponyville would one day be founded. It was late in the day, and the standing stones had gathered at the Weathered Hearth for a discussion..”

Towering Oak stood near the bar at the far side of the small tavern, her impressive height allowing her to easily look over the gathered crowd. Her eyes flickered from one patron to the next, noting that although they had been there a while, they hardly touched their drinks. Most seemed nervous, and engaged in small partially whispered conversations with the ponies closest to them.

They were all earth ponies, with an even mix of males and females, each one representing a clan, family, town, or area. Another thing they had in common was the fact that they were all relatively gruff, standing a little taller, or a little wider than most ponies. The collected families represented by those in the room were significant, and Towering Oak was confident that with their support that she could put her plan into motion.

“He’ll show.” Stated a graveley male voice to Towering Oak’s right.

The enormous earth pony mare glanced down to where the aged bartender stood staring at the crowd while polishing a mug. His fur had at one point been a deep vibrant brown, and his hair a stark green like Towering Oak’s was, except he had lost that color. Now his fur, mane, and tail were such a light grey that they bordered on white, making his Blue eyes stick out even more.

“I don't know Ghost, the Barren Root family control a considerable amount of land next to Unicornia.” Towering Oak replied, her low, rumbling voice causing a few ponies to glance in her direction.

“It's called Canterlot now. Yer not going daft on us now are ya?” Retorted the bartender with a snicker.

Towering snorted. “They can call it whatever they want to call it. We’ll remember it as the unicorn capital and seat of their foul empire.”

“Well whatever you want to call it, I hope you got a good reason to call together the stones after all this time. Were supposed to be disbanded you know.” Ghost pointed out.

“Those ivory tower dictators can decry whatever they like, it doesn't mean it's going to happen.” Grumbled Towering Oak.

Together the two earth ponies looked out over the small, packed inn, towards the entrance, and the storm which howled just outside of it. Rain came in waves, blown about by powerful winds, and illuminated by the odd flash of lightning. The dull boom of thunder shook the aged structure on occasion, and though a few ponies qualed beneath the fury of the storm, Towering Oak stood tall.

Her own deep brown eyes peered intently at the door, waiting for the stallion who could make or break her plan. As if summoned by her furious gaze, a stallion appeared through the haze of rain and threw open the door. The howl of the wind temporarily laid low any attempt at conversation and the robed stallion hurriedly slammed shut the portal behind him.

Breathing heavily, the newcomer threw back his hood and revealed his deep scarlet mane which was broken up by two streaks of orange. His fur was the color of soot, and his eyes blazed with such an intensity that they seemed more like portals leading to the heart of a forge. Though much, much shorter than Towering Oak, the stallion carried himself with such confidence that it was hard not to feel as though he equalled her in height.

“My apologies, friends. This storm got me turned about somewhat.” Declared the stallion as he strode up to the bar.

The mass of ponies which had not gotten there early enough to secure a seat parted like water for the male. Who took the offered cup of ale from Ghost and plunked down on a now empty bar stool only a few feet from Towering Oak. The tall mare frowned, her anger flaring hotly in her chest only to be swiftly quenched when she reminded herself that he was likely telling the truth.

“I’m glad to see you made it here unharmed, Vicious Ember.” Towering Oak offered.

The second the kind words had left Towering Oak’s lips the room seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

The stallion threw back his drink and swallowed it all in a single, titanic gulp before sighing contentedly and turning to the mare who had just spoken to him. “Please, just call me Ember. We’re all friends here, right Towering?” Ember offered, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“That we are. And it is that reason why I have called you all here today.” Towering Oak turned to the rest of the tavern. “I have a plan, one that will see our newest masters cast down, and one that I need your assistance in completing.”

“There are no masters anymore!” Someone yelled from near the back of the room.

Towering Oak shook her head slowly. “They may not call themselves that, but answer me this, stranger. Who collects our taxes, who stands beside our so called princesses whenever they are in court, and who still reside within their mansions we built?”

The crowd was silent save for some scattered murmurings.

Ember hummed thoughtfully to himself. “Now you all know I am not a fan of the nobility, but even I must acknowledge that is a bit of a stretch. Don't you think?”

“Yeah, no offence Oak, but the princesses sure seem like they are on the up and up especially after they whooped Discord’s butt.” Added a nearby mare.

Towering Oak smirked, and glanced down to the bartender. “Ghost, if a stallion from out of town came in here and started causing problems that would be bad, right?”

The stallion snorted. “Obviously.”

“And if I came in here five minutes later and offered to get rid of him for a tidy fee, that would be pretty suspicious, correct?” Towering Oak continued.

Ghost lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I’m following you.”

“Think about it.” Towering Oak exclaimed, gesturing to the crowd. “Discord comes out of nowhere and starts mucking up the place and only a few short years later here come two horn heads noone has ever heard of before. They say they are the only ones who can possibly defeat Discord, and demand that we help them. Don't that sound a mite bit strange to you all?”

The crowd murmured quietly to themself, though it seemed half hearted, as if most werent convinced by what the earth pony had said.

“Now I admit it is pretty odd that the first alicorn and the first whatever the hell discord is came to our lands one after another but it doesn't prove they are connected.” Ember remarked tiredly. “Seems more likely that the two races are long time enemies rather than allies.”

“Then why didn't they kill him?” Towering Oak replied, a hoof gesturing in the direction of Canterlot. “You know they had the power to do so! They had the elements of harmony for crying out loud. Yet they froze him and displayed him in the garden, as if reminding us that he can return, and when he does, they will be the only ones capable of defeating him.”

The muttering grew louder, and it was quickly growing apparent that the opinion of the room’s inhabitants was turning slowly but surely. Yet Ember didn't seem moved, and merely eyed the tall mare closely in an almost appraising manner.

“If they are indeed strangers from a strange land then why do they call their mentor Starswirl, father and treat him in such a familial manner?” Ember retorted, standing from his seat.

“I don't know what you are talking about.” Towering Oak murmured.

Ember waved a hoof in the air. “Nonsense. I know you have an ear for these kinds of things and that Starswirl is of interest to you.”

Towering Oak glowered at the smaller pony. “I admit that their relationship with Starswirl does give credence to the story that they were given to him with the intention of being trained to defeat Discord. However, why wouldn't they be trained in the other tribe’s magic as well? They do claim to have the ability to use the magic of all of the pony tribes.”

“I’ve seen them fly plenty.” Ember retorted.

“But that's all they’ve done. They haven't manipulated the weather, utilized earth pony magic, or the magic of any other tribes for that matter.” Towering Oak smirked. “Even birds can fly after all and we know they have no magic to speak of.”

Ember frowned, and seemed ready to retort for several quiet seconds only to sigh. “I suppose I’ll stop playing the devil’s advocate now and ask the million bit question. What is this plan of yours?”

Towering Oak’s smile grew to encompass her entire face and she clopped a hoof hard against the ground. “Simple! We rob the Blueblood estate and take the confiscated war foci. With them I can create an artifact powerful enough to raise an earth pony to the level of an alicorn and then we topple these newest tyrants.”

The room was silent for a short eternity.

“Are you sure you can do something like that? You know those foci things are for unicorns only, right?” Offered the confused bartender.

Towering Oak laughed loudly. “Did you think alicornite only works on unicorns? Observe!”

The mare pulled forth a sliver of red crystal and raised it high into the air, energy coursing from the tiny object and into her hoof. After allowing the magic to build for a moment, Towering Oak brought her limb down hard against the bar, shattering it utterly and sending splinters in every direction. Instantly a hush fell over the crowd as they silently stared at the devastation wrought by a single powerful blow.

There was nothing left of over a quarter of the bar, only the odd splinter, and tiny chunk of wood.

“Yer payin for that.” Ghost muttered.

Towering Oak snickered and raised her hoof once again. “This my friends, is a sliver of the unrefined crystal they use in their rings and necklaces. Unlike the ones they have, this one has not been corrupted and forced to only work with unicorn magic.”

“Stars above, it's possible.” Someone muttered.

“It is indeed possible my friends. Furthermore, everyone in Equestria knows that every last bit of this stuff has already been mined in order to create more of those damned foci and that they are now stored inside the twin peaks just south of Canterlot.” Towering Oak tucked the sliver of crystal away.

“That's… amazing. But do you really think it's possible to storm such a place? My clan was nearly wiped out when we attempted to rest control of the peeks from those Blue Blood monsters.” Ember murmured.

“Which is why we are going to burrow under it, directly into the store room itself.” Towering Oak declared. “It will take a lot of work, and effort but I believe we could do it.”

Ember laughed suddenly. “And if we are already digging that deep we could bring down the whole bloody keep!”

A sudden roar went up through the tavern, drinks were clanged together and hooves stomped against the wooden floor.

“Aye, we could.” Towering Oak admitted. “Now who’s with me?”

The tavern came alive with movement as everyone in it raised a foreleg into the air and shouted in agreement.

Towering Oak stood on her back legs, allowing every last pony there to see her wide, confident smile. “Long have we been the earth beneath their hooves, the grass they trod so carelessly, but I say no longer!” Towering Oak shouted. “Tonight we lay the first brick that will serve as a foundation for a better world. One without gods, kings, or masters! Now I said, who’s with me?!”

Every pony young, old, male or female stood up and cheered.

“And the standing stones did just that, raiding, and bringing down the twin peek keep in its entirety.” Twilight declared.

“Is that why there are so few Bluebloods and why Celestia adopted one of them way back when?” Spike inquired.

Twilight nodded. “All but one died when the keep collapsed, and that survivor was adopted by Celestia herself.”

“Wait, but you never told me how the battle went? I mean, I know Celestia won, but how? And what happened to Towering Oak?” Spike pressed.

Twilight smiled. “That, I am afraid. Is a story for another time.”

Spike groaned. “You are the worst!”

Twilight giggled. “Maybe next time Spike. Maybe next time.”

Author's Note

If you want to read the next updates for my biggest stories at the begining of the month rather at the end, or want to get a commission from me as well as access to patreon exclusive content, and the chance to submit story requests every month, head over to my patreon!

Join me over on patreon and get instant access to exclusive content and early looks at new stories, patreon only stories and other great stuff! Check it out!
Or just join the discord to ensure that you dont miss an update.
This update was made possible by the wonderful support of readers like you: Apollyon, Astor, BeenMcsqueen, Blade Tech, Calum, Canary in the Coal Mine, Ceepert, Corey, Craig, Dale, DioKyro, Doomgooey, Facinus, Free, GruB, I am Unknown, Ivar, Jacob, Jeffrey, Kali, Lich-Lord Krosis, M, Makani, Megatyrant, Menthol Qtip, Mephia, Mike, Mikhalia, Mirvra, Mophop, Nathan, Neverborn, Nfreak, Octavia and lowbar, Pacsik, Peter,Prysm, Random reader, soundtea, Starless, Steven, Tiwake, Todd, Trash Panda, Vigilant Watch, annnnnnnd Xvos!