Prologue: In Which a World Is Laid Out
A World Without Alicorns
Law Bringer's Guide to Equestria - Compiled by Autumn Teach
Chapter One: Equestria, the Pony, and the World in General
The land of Equestria. A land filled with bounty. Or, at least, it used to be. Thousands of years ago, when the Divine Sisters Celestia and Luna still walked these lands, watching over the land. However, due to some reason (sadness at what Their ponies were becoming, perhaps?), they left. To where is unknown, but there have been no recorded sightings of either Sister for generations. Without their guidance, the world slowly became wilder. The weather slowly would no longer acquiesce to the Pegasi. The fields would no longer give bountiful harvests, barely allowing for enough food to filter into market, most going to the families that simply grew the food. The Unicorns suffered most of all, according to legend. Supposedly, the Unicorns were able to influence the world around them merely by force of will. Magic, as it were. (Note: The writer himself places no belief in such fairy tales).
As ponykind slowly adapted to the harshness of the world, evolution came about and added even further into the confusion. In a mere matter of generations, all that ponies had been before was irreversibly changed. No longer were ponies to remain on all fours, but were slowly developing into bipedal creatures. Another trick that evolution decided that ponykind would inherit a few short generations later was the addition of hands instead of forehooves.
The Earth pony was changed even more. In addition to its usual connection to all of the earth, they gained increased fortitude and endurance. In fact, there have been several accounts of determined Earth Ponies who have traveled countless miles in several days with only the barest amount of rest, whilst carrying the heaviest of loads.
The Pegasi also saw a change in their physiology. Their bones, while already light, became even more so, allowing for even faster speeds to be achieved in the air. In addition, their wingspans grew as they rose from hooves to hands, with some topping out at a maximum of seven feet in length.
The Unicorns, on the other hand, may have gotten the short end of the stick. Most of their species became unable to bear children as evolution had them grow. Also, the horns upon their heads grew to be barely more than ornamentation. However, one thing that WAS gifted unto them was apparently a marked increase in mental acumen.
As evolution forced us to adapt to our new abilities (and deal with our lost ones), nature grew ever more fearsome. Carnivorous beasts that usually could only be found in the deepest portions of the darkest woods expanded territory quickly, often leaving trails of destruction in their wake (see Chapter Five: Major Disasters of Equestrian History). One such creature was the fearsome Abyssal Wyrm, a creature that would only let a small tremor in the ground be a warning of its coming, often swallowing entire villages in a matter of hours.
However, ponies are strong creatures, and surmounted the challenges put before them. Of course, as with all problems, new ones rose to take their place. We survived years in the wilderness, only to come to new problems: ourselves. The Earth Ponies became tribes, often settling in large clans on the plains. Some clans were the Apples, the Shoe, the Colti, and the Manan tribes. These clans have fought for decades, both politically and physically.
Unlike the Earth Ponies, the Pegasi grouped together. They became strong. Fierce. Independent. They forged for themselves a new identity: The Cloudborne Empire. Nature gave them brittle bones? They forged themselves armor to compensate. No longer able to control the weather? You don't need to worry about the weather if you've got bustling metropolises. They were at the forefront of innovation, experimentation, and exploration. No corner of the world was safe from the mighty Cloudborne Empire. In recent years, they've had tussles with both the Buffalo Tribes of the Equestrian Steppes, and the Griffin Kingdom in the Everwhite Mountains.
We now reach the strange story of the Unicorns. Instead of settling down, much like their kin, they traveled the globe, as part of large caravans. In fact, traveling seems to be part of the Unicorn bloodline. The need to know more, as it were. In fact, if given the chance to observe such a caravan, consider yourself lucky. No one has seen the inner workings of these mysterious ponies in decades. If a description were to be applied to this unknowable species of Pony, it would have to be "Gypsy". They blow into town unannounced, and offer their wares. Even with the progress of the Cloudborne Empire, the Gypsy Caravans of the Unicorns always seem to have superior items. Speculations abound, one can only wonder at what marvels they are truly capable of.
However, in recent history, the Cloudborne have been cracking down on Ponies of differing descent. Pegasi occupy the highest echelons of society, often citing their abilities to wander the skies and clouds of the realm as "almost Godlike". This "Godlike" potential has given the Pegasus breed a bit of an inflated opinion of themselves, as it were. (The views given by the author are his alone, and are not in any way, shape, or form condoned by the publishing company.) Next on the social ladder are the Earth Ponies. While not capable of flight, they are quite capable of leveling mountains and walls. As such, it would simply be remiss to anger them, as there is no clear estimation as to the true size of the Earth Pony Tribes. This brings us to the dregs of society: the Unicorns. They are looked down upon simply due to having been given no discernible traits. It doesn't help that they come and go as they please. As who else but ne'er-do-wells and thieves would do such a thing?
Due to this social breakdown, any Pony of Unicorn descent is often shunned by society...
- An excerpt from Autumn Teach, Earth Pony Scholar of the Cirrus Citadel
Chapter One: A Pony Named Twilight
A Pony Named "Twilight"
She was found at dusk.
It was dark, and there was barely any light left in the sky. But, as the old matron was closing the doors for the night, a soft cry stopped her. Now, Matron Merry Day was old, and getting on in years, but she could easily tell the cry of a small filly apart from the usual sounds of Cloudkicker City. She considered closing the doors anyway. It was probably just the cries of an infant, and would shortly be silenced by its parents. Of course, running an orphanage in the middle of one of the poorest districts in all of the Empire quickly disillusion you to such mundane followings. So, after a moment's brief hesitation, she quickly opened the doors once more. Only to hear the child cry out again. This time, it sounded louder, and much more like a keen than a cry. Bracing her old bones for the cold, Old Matron Merry made her way outside.
Not even a block away from the orphanage, she found what was causing the cry: a young little Unicorn, nestled in between what appeared to be her parents. Believing herself to be a fool, the Matron quickly found herself turning around, when she heard the filly cry out once more, even louder this time. Why hadn't the small thing's parents done anything yet...? Turning about once more, she took a closer look at the filly's protectors. Upon closer inspection, she let out a small gasp, almost fleeing in fright. Both parents would not answer their child, as there was no possible way they could in their condition. That condition being that both were locked in death's cold embrace. Malnourished and frozen, both parents had huddled together, their child held tightly between them, they had apparently expired in the cold, freezing night. Right near the crying child, a note had apparently been etched into the cobblestone street: "Our suns have set, in order to see our daughter's rise. Please, take good care of her."
What else was the old mare to do? Just let the poor thing freeze and die out there, in the cold? No. Not on her watch. So, she carefully made her way up to the small thing, and raised her hands slowly towards her.
"Come here, filly...It will all be alright soon..." she cooed, hoping that her voice would calm the frightened filly. As the Matron drew nearer, the Unicorn turned and met eyes with her. Her eyes were the deepest shade of lavender she'd ever seen. As it was, Merry could've sworn that she saw...something...pulsating in her eyes with each pump of the filly's little heart. But, then again, that could just have been the years weighing on her. Still, she finally managed to reach her, and swiftly pulled her from her frozen protectors. Much like any small pony, being forcefully removed from your parents was not met with positive results. As soon as her bare flank hit the frozen night air of Cloudkicker, the small being immediately let out a small shriek. Acting quickly, the Matron wrapped her up inside of the coat she wore, rocking her to and fro, cooing all the time.
"Hush now, little one. There's no need to fret...Merry is here, and will chase away the Night Mares..."
After a small smattering of seconds, the foal quieted down, to at least more manageable levels. Still, the occasional grunt or squeal let Merry know that she now held a life in her hands. As the foal settled, Merry spared a glance back at the deceased. Upon their frozen faces, she saw that they died with a smile on their faces. Surely, they believed that someone would come for their daughter. They had done everything to make sure of that fact. Shaking the small tears that threatened to make their way out of her eyes, she quickly made her way back to the Orphanage. As she walked, she found herself thinking out loud.
"So...they let their own suns' set, in order for yours to rise. I think that I'll call you...Twilight."
As she said this, the small bundle in her arms moved, and made a noise. Looking down, the old, weathered matron gave but a small smile.
"Yes...that will do nicely..."
---THIS IS A SCENE CHANGE. IGNORE THIS TEXT, WHY DON'T YOU?---
It was awfully cold in the Orphanage. Even though there were plenty of colts and fillies about, it was always cold at night. It didn't matter if you slept right next to the radiator or the window, you were always cold. I think it was because we (at least, the older kids) knew that no one was going to come for us down here. We were nothing more than cast-offs. No pony wanted us, so there. I know that I should be much more positive, but really. Who am I fooling? No pony cares about us. Well, maybe except for Matron, but still. She won't be around much longer, and I don't particularly care for sitting around, waiting for what's maybe the one good thing in my life to die off. I'm going to get out of here one day, and make a name for myself. That'll teach everypony to not look down on me. I mean, it's not I CHOSE to have no parents. I want them. I REALLY want them. In fact, I want them so bad sometimes, that it hurts. IT HURTS SO MUCH...But, that's just dreaming. Why would ANYONE want to be my parent? I'm a Unicorn. That means I'm nothing. Well, nothing to people who REALLY matter, anyway. But, when I get older, I'll show them. I'll show them all. I'll be great. I won't be weak. I won't be trash. I won't be forgotten! I'll be somepony!
...Wait, what's that sound? Is that Matron?
---VIEW CHANGE-O-MATIC THING-A-MA-BOB---
The little filly quietly crept out of bed, being careful not to step on anypony's tail as she made her way to the hall. Normally, Matron Merry would have already closed the doors already, and have gone to bed in the room nearby. But, it seemed like she was struggling this night, and the cold probably wasn't helping much. Peering out, the filly caught a glimpse of the Matron struggling with the doors, trying to close it with just one hand. Well, that was both silly and dangerous, seeing as the old oak doors probably weighed about as much as one fully grown mare, and the old matron wasn't in the best of shape. Quickly, she made her way down from the hallway, and rushed to her guardian's side.
"Matron, do you need help?" she asked, her eyes shooting to the old mare's face.
With a small bit of effort, Matron Merry replied, "Yes, little Trixie, I believe I do. Please, be a dear and help me close the door? It's mighty cold out there, and a night not fit for beast or pony."
Nodding, Trixie threw herself at the door, eager to help. Normally, Matron had no problem with the door (as she was of Earth Pony descent). As the door slid shut, even against Nature's worst attempts for it to stay open (with biting winds buffeting them), Trixie looked over at Merry. She seemed...tired. Then, she noticed something moving within her coat. Moving back slightly (she wasn't afraid, really!), Trixie found herself asking, "What is that, Matron?"
With a small glow in her eye, the Matron quietly responded, "She's going to be staying here...Her name is Twilight."
As she finished speaking, a little noise made itself known. Apparently, the little blob of lavender fur didn't like being talked about without being able to represent herself. A disheveled mane poked out of the top of the coat, a deep royal purple with streaks of the early pink of oncoming night. Twilight, indeed...A small yawn, and she looked at the filly Trixie. Small, purple eyes stared into light, almost lavender ones. Twilight then nodded once, and lay back down in the Matron's arms.
Chuckling slightly, Merry looked up at Trixie.
"It appears she likes you."
Trixie just stared at the young foal, as if expecting her to get back up and do something else. What in the world was that all about?
"Trixie..."
Shaking her head, Trixie returned back to reality. "What is it, Matron?"
"Do you think you can get Twilight situated? I feel...tired. Would you look after her for me?"
A firm nod shot out of the sky blue filly, her eyes burning with determination.
"Of course, Matron! I'll do anything you want me to!"
"Good...Good...Now, take her, and get to sleep..."
Carefully, Trixie picked up the dozing foal, and her eyes gleamed for a moment.
"She's...so small..."
Another small laugh made its way out of the old mare.
"Yes. Foals tend to be quite small."
With but one more nod in the Matron's direction, Trixie carried the small bundle back up to the room, and crawled into bed with her, not even willing to let her go, lest she disappoint the Matron.
