Rise Of A Nation: Equestria

Rise of a Nation: Equestria. The Adventurer

Book of the Earth Pony

Prologue

Sunlight flitted down through the leaves as my father and I walked down the well-worn path through the forest. The cart creaked under its burden while Da and I pulled it behind us. A slight breeze wafted through the trees, bringing relief from the already warm morning.

My thoughts drifted in and out. I was worried about our destination, Clearwater. The city was built over a lake for which it took its namesake. Da had made the trip plenty of times and  told me about great mansions built out of the water, and of the boats ponies used to traverse the waterways that replaced the roads that were so common in our small town. He also told of the size and grandeur of Clearwater, which made me slightly nervous. I mean really? Who builds stone buildings on top of a giant platform atop a deep lake and expects it to stay above water? Thoughts of drowning and being crushed filled my mind and I began to panic.

Shaking myself mentally, I tried to focus on actually making it to our destination in one piece. Da must have noticed my unease and spoke up.

“Ya alright, Coal?” he asked. “Haven’t heard much outta you this mornin’”.

“I’m fine, Da. It’s just that I’ve never been to a big city before. On top of a lake. A really, really deep lake…” I shook my head to banish the thoughts of a particularly squishy, liquidy death.

He chuckled, stepping over a rather large root of an equally large tree.

“It’s not so bad; earth ponies really know how to build something sturdy. Hells, some of our tools at the house’r made by earth ponies such as yerself.”

He was right. I remembered the all the tools Da used and couldn’t bring up a memory of ever having to repair a hoe or sharpen an axe. Which made me wonder…

“Hey Da, why can earth ponies build things so sturdy and strong without help from magic?” I queried.

“That’s just it, boy. It is magic. Earth ponies just have a different sort than us unicorns. Yall can do things with yer hooves that mah magic couldn’t hope to accomplish.” Da said matter-of-factly. Since when did he know so much about things beside growing vegetables?

I was going to voice this but nature decided to shut me up with a quick unseen tree root and a face full of dirt. Okay, walking, no more talking.

                               * * *

We made it out of the woods around midday. The sun was high overhead and pressed its heat down on my father and me.  The past few hours had been spent in labor induced silence, the cart of vegetables felt heavier every passing step. The damn work finally caught up with me, resulting in a rather uncomfortable feeling of the wagon rolling over me when I slid out of my harness. Not very smart on my end but in my defense, I was really tired.

“Ah think it’s about time to take a break.” Da said with a worried look as he helped me out from under the wagon. I could only nod as I plopped down on my flank and pulled out a skin of water from the wagon.

“Ya did good, son.” He said standing there without even looking fatigued in the slightest, the smug bastard. “When ah made mah first trip to Clearwater with my father I collapsed only hours after the journey began.”

A little praise and water went a long way. I forced myself up on shaking hooves, eager to show the old buck that I could go farther.

“Glad to see you’re ready to go,” he chuckled “but it’s about time for some lunch. Ah hope mah freshness spell’s still working.” He said as he pulled two cloth bags out from the wagon. From them he pulled out two loaves of bread that Ma and Rosie had made this morning. They were still as warm as when Da had cast his spell on them this morning.

Using his magic he tossed me one and took a seat on the ground beside the wagon. I caught it with my mouth and began chow down on the delicious sweet bread that Ma was so good at making. Not quite as sweet as a sweet roll but not as buttery as regular bread. The perfect mix. We savored the bread as it slowly disappeared.

“Your mother and sister sure can cook, hmm?” Da asked with a grin as he finished his bread. “Gives you just enough energy to get to wherever you need to go.”

“Yeah.” I said finishing my bread as well. Feeling the bread renew my energy and giving my sore muscles some solace.

“Well,” he said getting up, “it’s about time we get moving.”

I gave a sigh and got up on hooves not quite as shaky as before, and got back into my harness.

“I guess so.” I said, cringing at the thought of walking so far again.

“Buck up, son.” He pointed to the hill to the north of us. “Clearwater is just past that hill.”

                                      * * *

Let me say this first. Clearwater is beautiful. Nothing compares to the way that the sunlight dances off of the water and onto the cerulean walls of the city. The majestic pillars that support the platforms were as thick as six ponies stretched forehoof to hindhoof in a circle and were decorated with images of dancing ponies in perpetual glee. The main platform of the city rose in the center of the lake. It modeled great mansions of the deepest blue and housed the central marketplace. Smaller platforms were connected by great stone bridges and held lesser housings of more common stone. The great center platform was connected to the mainland by a giant stone bridge. Great bronze gates were thrown open wide for traders and travelers from all over.

It was these gates that Da and I were passing through. We got just past the gate when a guard called for us to stop.

“Gold, you old bastard, how are ya?” The Pegasus guard said with a smile, raising a hoof to my father. “And who’s this?” He gestured to me.

“Fine as day, Steelwing.” Da said, bumping the guards hoof with his own. “An this is mah son, Coal. Coal, this is Steelwing. He was about your age when I first came to clear water to trade, back when I still sold weapons.” He looked back to the Pegasus. “Looks like you’ve got some new armor since my last visit.”

“Well met, Coal. You’ve got one hell of a father.” Steelwing said and raised his hoof, I bumped it and nodded. “I sure do, sir.” Steelwing turned back to Da. “I’ve been promoted to leader of the guard, comes with fancier armor.” He strutted and posed.

Pegasi and looking good, I swear to gods that’s all they ever think about.

“That’s a mighty fine accomplishment, that mean ah have ta call ya sir now?” Da asked jokingly, cracking a smile.

That caught the guard um...off-guard? Bad pun. Anyway, he laughed and shook his head.

“No sir, you’ve got more years, experience, and knowledge on me. Hell, you gave me my first blade when I was still a recruit.” He ruffled through his saddlebag, pulling out an old blunt blade. “I eben still god it.” He said around the sword.

“Looks like you’ve put it to good use.” Da observed.

“Yes sir, this blade protected me throughout my training when we would clear out thief dens.” The Pegasus said, placing the blade back into the saddlebag. He went to speak again but was interrupted by the sound of a scuffle farther down the path leading to the bridge. Two mares fighting over what looked like a necklace with a gemstone as the charm were knocking things over left and right in their struggle.

“Sorry, sir. But we’ll have to carry on this conversation ever.” Steelwing said with a sigh, and began trotting over to the commotion. “Guard’s work is never done.”

“We’ll see ya on the way out, Steelwing.” Da said after the Pegasus, chuckling at the younger stallion’s predicament. “Come on, Coal.” He said, and began to walk towards the bridge. “We still got a day ahead of us.”

                               * * *

“Five bits.” Da said sternly. Pulling the cherries back towards him with magic.

“Two bits.” The sky blue unicorn mare said, equally as stern and pulled the cherries back to her.

“Five bits.” Da repeated. Cherries to Da.

“Three bits, they’re only cherries.” She growled. Cherries to her.

“Five, they’re the last of my stock.” Da locked eyes with the unicorn. Cherries to Da.

“Three, and that’s my final offer.” She said. Cherries to her.

“Hmm…six bits.” Da said. Cherries to him.

“Wh-what!? You said five!” She glowered at him. Cherries forgotten.

“The extra bit is fer mah time ya wasted arguing with me.” Da said. “Now take it or leave it.”

“But I…and you…how…fine.” She tossed the bits over to Da, who fed his saddlebag with them. The disgruntled mare took her bunch of cherries and left our stall. Da had been doing this all day. He was a master when it came to word play. Even if it were to convince some half-wit unicorn that time was worth bits.

The sun was setting over the mountains that gave Clearwater a border, giving the water amber light to dance with and cast over the city in great orange hues. Da and I had been at the stall all day and, thanks to Da’s mastery of the spoken language, had emptied our wagon of vegetables.

“Well, it’s about time to find us a nice inn.” Da said, hauling the wagon behind us by himself now that it was empty. “Come with me, I know a great place where the mead is always flowing and the fire is always warm.” As if excited by his own description Da sped up to a trot. We turned a corner and went down a street that apparently was themed with odd masks and bottles with strange colored contents.

“Hey Da, what’re all these weird masks for?” I asked, walking a little closer to him.

“Hmm? Oh these are zebra wares. They come from far away and trade potions for charms and such. Pretty nice people as long as the stripes don’t bother you.” Da said casually.

Zebras were everywhere on this street, buying or selling or playing odd instruments while standing on their hind hooves. How in hells do they do that? Besides the zebras themselves, the things they sold looked from another world; masks with grotesque faces, potions with smells that would send a dragon running for the hills, charms that were meant to protect, heal, and strengthen were common also. I was so lost in the charm of it all that I barely heard the soft whisper calling me to a small tent set up between two stalls selling potions that would ‘cure all ailments’.

“You there, boy!” A pile of rags called out to me from inside the small tent. I looked to Da in confusion, he just nodded and levitated out a few bits and placed them in my saddlebag. “I used to love hearing my fortune told. Go ahead and give it a shot.” He said smiling.

“Hello, child.” The pile of rags called as I got close, it was an old voice but most definitely feminine. I was indignant.

“I’m no child. In little more than a month I will be of age to leave my family and start my own life.” Besides, I was just as big as Da, maybe even a little taller.

“Child, I am over a century old. Everyone is a child to me.” She chuckled. “Now, I bet you’re wondering why I called you over here.” The pile said with an air of knowing something that I should already know.

“I assume you wanted to read my fortune and make some bits from doing so.” I said flatly. I may have been in the city for a day, but Da had already taught me to be on the lookout for people who would try and cheat me for money. I was ready for her to deny this, but not for her response.

“No.” She said calmly suddenly much more serious. “That is what I do with stupid ponies who think zebras are trash. I have already seen your future, child, and I wish to warn you.” This definitely caught my attention.

“Warn me about what?” I asked.

“The Great Shadow. They of many faces. The night will be outlined in screams. You must not expose yourself to the shadows. For they will steal your face too. So I give you advice, dear child. Remember the eyes of your loved ones well.” And with that, she was silent.

“What does that mean?” I asked. Nothing. “Hello?” I said, a little louder. Nothing again. I reached out a hoof to touch the pile and quickly pulled it back when the  heap of rags collapsed into a heap.

“Um…what?” I wasn’t sure what to do, was I going crazy? Talking to a pile of rags definitely counted, I think. Wait a sec, Da gave me bits to pay her, he must have saw her too. I reached into my saddlebags to pull out the bits Da gave me. Empty…but I hadn’t paid her yet.  I checked again. Empty a second time…no I diffidently didn’t pay her.  Maybe I’m going crazy.

Nothing a third time. Oh gods, what’s happening to me? I looked around and saw Da giving me a gaze of annoyance and confusion. I raced over to join him.

“Sorry Da, just got a little confused.” I said apologetically.

“Evidently.” He said, and then smiled. “Nonetheless, it’s time for some ale and a good night’s rest. I’m sure you’re tired of walking and handling fruit and vegetables all day.” I nodded and we began to make our way to the inn.

A few streets later we stopped in front of a tired looking building with a sign that read ‘The Grey Mare’.  Da and I left the cart tied up to the fence in front of the inn and made our way inside

We were instantly greeted by cries of ‘Gold!’ and ‘Hey its Gold! Next round’s on me’. I looked at Da a little bemused. “Does everypony know you?” I asked. He laughed and bumped hooves with the crowd of people who had risen to greet him. “Well, I have been coming here a long time.” Then he addressed the crowd, who instantly hushed to hear him. What is this? “Everypony listen.” They did. “This is mah son, Coal.” There were nods and hooves to bump. “An he’s about to come of age.” More nods. “Now, ah want you all to show him how men relax after a long day’s work. He’s earned it.” Instantly, a middle aged mare with a grey coat and a blonde mane greying at the edges handed me a tankard. I took it with my hoof and looked from it to Da, his face eager, and took a gulp of the frothy drink. Instantly I felt warmer and I let a smile play across my face.

“That’s mah boy!” Da cried and levitated himself an ale and took a long swig. After that, the tension of being the new pony in the room melted as Da introduced me to his friends and fellow traders. There was a pegasus with one wing, one eye and a forehoof that ended with a wooden peg. His name was Lucky, and was apparently the only pony to talk to if you wanted a beast slain. An earth pony with a sweet roll as a cutie mark introduced herself as Violet Cake. Then there was Ale, the grey pegasus who had given me the tankard before. She was the mare for whom the owner had named the inn.

The introductions lasted a seeming eternity. Where did Da meet these ponies? Eventually it seemed to get too late even for the most drunk ponies. Drunken goodbyes were said and ponies staggered out of the inn.

There was a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see a smiling mare with a grey coat and a shaggy blonde mane. She was a great deal younger than Ale but other than that she was a spitting image of the older pegasus.

“Hi, I’m Wine.” She said with a smile.

This is my chance, I thought. Say something smart.

“Um…what?”

You master of words, you.

“I said hi, my name’s Wine. My mother runs this inn.” She said, a little annoyed.

“Uh, hi. My name’s-“

“Coal, I know.” She said with a wry smile. “It’s not like there was an entire party about the fact you’re almost a stallion or anything.”

“Oh, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to cause a fuss.” I tried to look suave. It must have come off as drunk, because then she offered to help me to my room.

“Looks like you’ve found yourself a nice little marefriend, huh son?” Da said from across the room, still at a table with Lucky and Ale. Wine and I both went a violent shade of scarlet and looked anywhere but at each other while the others had a great laugh about it.

After the laughter had subsided Da got up from his table and gestured to the stairs behind the counter. “Come on, Coal. Our beds are upstairs.” With that he made his way up the steps and out of sight. Ale followed his lead. The older pegasus gestured to a door beside the steps. “It’s about that time for us too, Wine.” She turned to Lucky. “Can I trust you to lock up for me, Lucky?” He gave a nod and set himself locking various doors and windows. I turned back to Wine. “I have to go.” I said yawning. “Me too.” She returned, mimicking my yawn. We stayed there looking at each other for a while. She looked at me like she wanted something, I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to do so I just looked back at her for what seemed like ages until she finally sighed and said goodnight.

“Night.” I said and made my way upstairs. There were two beds in the room and Da had taken up the larger one so I made myself comfortable on the other and let myself drift, thinking of all the different ways I could have handled the situation with Wine. Eventually I settled on the fact that I was incredibly stupid and let sleep overtake me.

                               * * *

My dreams, whatever they were, were interrupted by a scream. It was cut short by a wet ripping sound and a suppressed growl. Da had heard the scream also and was already out of bed and rushing out the down and down the stairs. I wrestled to free myself from the sheets of the bed and followed him.

I got down in enough time to see Da wrestling with some dark figure. It was hard to see in the shadows but I could tell that the intruder pony was far smaller than Da and was still putting up a fight. I could only stand there and watch as the two fought, paralyzed by fear. Then something caught my eye. Over in the corner there was a figure on the ground, and through the dark I could see another, smaller pony leaning over the first. Ale and Wine.

The revelation brought me out of my paralysis and I rushed over to the two. In the dim light it was hard to tell where the blood came from but it was everywhere. Ale stared up at the ceiling unblinking and Wine was holding her tightly and crying, muttering ‘momma’ through her tears.

Rage coursed through me and I turned back to the pair fighting in the doorway. All thought left my mind and I tackled the smaller figure and we rolled into the main room where the fire was still lit. I caught a kick to the gut but I didn’t feel it as I pummeled its face with my hooves and pinned it down. By the light of the fire I could see its features. What I saw almost made me empty my stomach. It looked like a pony that had holes bit through its legs and wings, which were like insects. Its coat was black as night and its mane was a sickly green.

The thing locked eyes with me and smiled, I tried to hit it some more but my legs wouldn't obey. My eyes wouldn't look anywhere but its demented green ones. Its horn began to glow and its body burst into green flame. Suddenly its body changed to a light grey and its legs filled in. Its wings disappeared and so did its horn. Its face molded to the shape of a young stallion’s and its mane changed to a ruffled black. Lastly its eyes took on a blue hue. I stared in horror as I watched the thing take the features I knew so well, the features I saw in every puddle or mirror. The thing had transformed into an exact copy of me.

“Surprise!” The fake Coal shouted and raised a hoof. I couldn’t move or try to dodge, so I took the deceivingly powerful blow to the side of my head. The force of the impact sent me skidding on my side as my vision blurred. I caught the shape of Da charging the new me and he yelled something that I couldn’t make out. The two were wrestling again. Da kept his focus on not getting thrown into the fire they were dangerously close to. To this end he didn’t see the other black thing creeping behind him. I tried to yell or wave or do anything to warn him but my limbs were like blocks of stone. The last thing I saw was the newest insect creature tackle Da off balance and send him toppling into the fire before my vision went black.