Peace. A word one may not hear very often nowadays. But back then... back in in the golden times... it was so peaceful. One could go outside and see the blue sky, clear as the ocean. Now the sky is red with smoke and blood. Back then one could go outside without armor, could got to the market safely, could do anything safely. Back then... it was paradise.

Twenty-one years ago, the world was pure, or pure enough. The ground was green with grass, the sky blue with clarity, the water free of toxins. The Alicorn princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence helped keep their kingdoms in check, and therefore helped one another keep the world at peace. Crime was nearly eradicated, famine as well. Sickness did not run rampant throughout the lands as it does now. It was a much better place that the world we live in now.

Equestria was, back then, a unified place. Almost every living intelligent creature could mingle with one another. Towns and cities flourished. Farms prospered. Families were able to join others. It was a great time. And then... It happened.

The gates of Tartarus grew weaker and weaker over time. Cerberus had already escaped once and left his post unattended, so it was only a matter of time before he would make his move. The evil self-proclaimed Lord Tirek broke through the hellish gates. He was weak, but already a plan of dastardly chaos swirled in his mind. Slowly he build his power by stealing the life force of any pony nearby. Soon, he paired up with the Spirit of Chaos, the draconequus Discord, and together they siphoned nearly all of Equestria. Tirek grew stronger, and stronger still, and soon betrayed the draconequus and stole Discord's power as well. All looked bleak as he went after the Alicorn princesses.

But, even with all the power he had stolen, Tirek fell in battle to the newest Alicorn, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Using the combined magic of the other Alicorns, she managed to awaken the lost and forgotten power of the Tree of Harmony's treasure, a powerful magic that Tirek could not withstand. He was re-imprisoned in Tartarus, guarded by Cerberus once more.

Tirek's near-successful attempt to take over Equestria sent all of the world into unrest. Most thought other "half-breeds" may rise to follow Tirek's actions. It did not help the argument with the fact that one of the Alicorns in now dead thanks to the hand of a demented minotaur. With such a powerful being gone from the world, the level of power shifted, and now Equestria is in a state of war. The "purebreds", the ponies, zebras, dragons, and all other single species beings gathered in the northern half of Equestria, while the minotaurs, centaurs, and even the griffons fled to the southern half. A world divided in half. The many differences stand between the factions, but one thing stays the same between the two; The plants now grow crimson with the blood spilt upon the ground.

Canterlot and everything south has become half-breed territory. The remaining Alicorns returned to their new castles in the remaining purebred cities. Steel and iron has replaced wood for construction purposes due to war. Safety has barely been increased. Magic has nearly been abandoned as a means of war. We has reverted back to older methods, such as cannons, catapults, and guns. Every species has a specific type of gun made for them. We ponies and dragons have large triggers for our hooves and large claws to fit against. The half-breeds have smaller triggers since most of them come equipped with fingers. All the ammo in the world can't help though. No matter how long this war goes on for, no matter what side wins, we will still have lost. We have lost too much, including our great leader. Her sister tries her best to lead, but it is not the same. Our ruler has become ruthless over her sibling's death.

The sky is dark and red, the ground barren, the water filthy. The world is in a state of peril, and still we fight. It is too much. We must find an end to this war so that we may rebuild. We must find peace. We must, but we can't. We can only fight. Fight to live, and live to fight. Fight... Fight... Next Chapter: Chapter 1: So Sayeth The Princess Estimated time remaining: 19 Minutes