Us and Them

Chapter 8

An Age-Old Enemy

I began the story of Epoch. He was somehow related to our presence, and all I knew about him was that he was coming back, and that he would be mad.

“In the beginning, there was one pony who controlled time itself. His name was Epoch. He was lonely, and began the pony civilization to keep him company. However, he was sad to see that most of his time was spent moving the sun and moon in order to keep time moving. He rarely had the chance to spend any time with the other ponies.

“In order to help, he created two other ponies to help him control time. One would move the Sun across the sky during the day, and the other would guide the Moon and stars through the quiet of the night. And for a time, the three of them were happy. Epoch treated his sisters, Celestia and Luna with love and respect.

“But soon, he began to distrust his sisters. He saw their faithful control over the Sun and Moon as a tyrannical rule where they did not belong. His distrust began to fester within him, increasing with every passing day. Before long, he stopped speaking to them entirely. When they tried to talk with him, his harsh words struck them like swords, hurting worse than anything they could have imagined.

“Finally, Epoch could no longer stand to see his sisters control what he believed to be rightly his. He confronted his sisters and told them to stop moving the Sun and Moon. They replied by saying that they didn’t want to stop moving them, as it could only lead to disaster for the citizens of Equestria.

“Epoch had grown blind with rage, and had his guards take Celestia and Luna into the dungeon, where they were to be locked up. Neither had the courage to break out, as they saw time itself fluctuating out of control due to its mad ruler. After days, weeks, possibly years, Celestia and Luna managed to break through the wall separating their dungeon cells. They began to talk.

“They talked about Epoch. Who he was and who he had become. They talked about Equestria, how they loved it more than they loved each other. They then talked about how they could help the ailing nation to return to normalcy. They knew what they had to do. They knew it would be hard, perhaps impossible. But each knew that it was necessary, and that they were the only ponies who could put an end to this.

“They broke out of their cells together, and fought their way to the throne of Epoch, where he lay waiting. They began a fight that would be the greatest in history. The strongest Alicorn versus the second and third strongest. Magic bolts fired off, traveling for miles before they dispersed. The battle was becoming dangerous, and the Sisters realized this.

“They created a distraction that occupied Epoch just long enough for them to reach what they needed if they were to have any chance of defeating him. The Elements of Harmony. Epoch soon followed them into the hall, and declared that he would finish them then and there. He prepared to fire off his strongest spell.

“Whoever got hit by the spell would be trapped in time for five thousand years. He aimed his horn at Celestia and Luna, rage filling his eyes as he charged his spell.

“The sisters could only cry as they did the only thing the could to stop him. They called upon the power of the Elements of Harmony. Unable to harness the full power of the Elements, they put up a wall to stop the spell. Hoping the spell would exhaust Epoch enough to give the Sisters an opening, they hid behind their magic shield, bracing for whatever was to come.

“Epoch fired off his spell, and it contacted the wall with unbelievable force. The shield held, however. Even more amazing, the shield reflected the spell back at its caster. Epoch was hit by his own greatest spell, and was forced into a limbo realm, existing, but not in our world. He would remain there for 5000 years.

“That was four thousand, nine-hundred ninety-nine years and three hundred sixty-four days ago.” I finished. “Do you mean to tell me that the most powerful and hate-filled alicorn in all of history is returning tomorrow?”

“I’m afraid so. We think he’ll return at the Ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, as that’s where he was originally banished.” Celestia responded.

“So you want us to go there and wait for him, and stop him when he gets there?” Tycho asked. He seemed anxious. I think he just wanted to see some action.

“No, that’s why I’m having you stay here for the next week, at least a few days.” She quickly replied. I imagine she anticipated the question, and had an answer prepared. I hate you, oh All-Knowing-Trollestia.

“Why the hay are you doing that?” Rainbow was the one to speak out this time.

I summed it up for her. “Think about it Rainbow, if you were trapped for five thousand years, wouldn’t you try to flex a bit, work out the kinks in your muscles? Well Epoch flexes by destroying everything. He’s not exactly a happy pony. I wouldn’t want to be there when he comes back.”

“In at least four days, when our scouts should have returned with a report, I am sending the four humans, as well as the six Elements on a journey to stop Epoch. I will also be sending a pony I trust more than anypony else, someone who is strong, capable, and kind. My sister.” Celestia stated. She was deadpan serious, as I suppose she should be, considering the fact that she was sending eleven ponies, one of whom was her own sister, on a mission that could end in nopony surviving.

“We won’t let you down, Princess.” I said.

“Alright, I’m game for some action.” Tycho added.

“Maybe if I save the world, the Wonderbolts will finally let me join!” Rainbow excitedly said to herself. One-track mind much?

“Yay! We get to go on an adventure!” Lyrica shouted.

“Well, if everypony else is going, I don’t see any reason not to.” Dusty had this feeling about him. He would only do something if he felt he really had to, but then he put his full effort into it.

“Are you sure this is the best idea, sister?” Luna worriedly asked Celestia.

“No, but it’s our only hope if we are ever to save ourselves from whatever Epoch brings. These ponies are our only hope. I don’t know if they can succeed, but it’s all we have.”

“Hey Celestia. Don’t worry about it. We’ll kick Epoch’s butt so hard, he’ll wish he were locked away for ten thousand years.” I said reassuringly. Whoever I was trying to fool, it didn’t work. Even I still had my doubts. But we couldn’t let Epoch take over Equestria. I wouldn’t let that happen, so long as I lived.