Chapter One: Ancient Times.

***

The distant past: Before recorded history, before the birth of the two princesses, there was a different age: an age of the Donkey Kingdom, the Asyram Empire, the Draconissian Dynasties, the Horse Lords and the united Pony Order. This age ended with the ascension of the Great Grogar, the annihilation of the Donkey Kingdom, Asyram Empire and the Draconissians, and signalled a change in the world.

***

The End is not the End.

The wind blew.

The world was shattered and broken, and upon a field of tears, where the broken bodies of almost forty thousand Dragons, Rams, Horses, Donkeys and Ponies lay, there was nothing but barren ashes. Far away ocean waters lapped shores that had not existed the day before, flat plains stretched where once there had been mountains and great fields of fire burned on the remains of what were once mighty kingdoms. The world had changed forever, and it seemed as though nothing would ever heal it.

The wind blew, stirring dust and ash and blowing tattered flags in the wind, flapping uselessly in the nothingness. This had been the sight of the last armies of Empires clashing, and had signalled the death of lords and kings, the fall of dominions, and the changing of the face of this world forever.

The wind blew…

And then, from the grey, broken ashes, there came an impossible sight.

A single green shoot slowly sprung from the ground. Its growth seemed fast, but compared to the beauty this land had once known it was slow, and small, and yet here it was: a few more moments passed, and then, impossibly, this single green shoot sprung open into a beautiful, simple daisy, bright and small and fiercely alive.

The wind blew.

***

The year 9,000 BNM (Before Nightmare Moon): Almost ten thousand years after the fall of Grogar, the First Hearth’s Warming Eve and the first founding of Equestria occurs. Around the same time, the child that will become Princess Celestia is born to the union of Prince Titanium, son of Princess Platinum, and Commander Tempest the Half-Blood of the Pegasus Legions - the first of the Alicorns. A few years later, her sister - the child that will become Princess Luna - is also born.

At this time, the Questioners - beings of unknown provenance to Equestria - send one of their own to observe the pony race as the Alicorns begin to play an important role in their kind…

***

Line of InQuiry.

When the Questioner was summoned before his peers, he was surprised to see them showing him that world.

“I’ve been there on occasion,” he said as he watched the little things run around. “Nothing special. Some humans - those guys really do get everywhere - but nothing worthy of our attention.”

“That,” his peers replied, “was then. This is now.”

That got his attention. Rare was the occasion when They talked in linear terms - this, therefore, was something different. He frowned as he paid attention to the little world… and what he saw… surprised him.

There were two. Born but a few mortal years apart, they were unique - one of the many different species on that world was split into three different sub-species: ones with wings, ones with what they dared to term “magic” (the reality was obviously more complicated, but let them think what they want), and the third with no apparent extra abilities, but a considerably higher fortitude. These two, however, shared traits of all three kindreds - and had a great deal more potential power.

“They could become powerful,” he noted absently as he watched.

“Yes,” They said. “They could. They could, in fact, be the beginning of this kind’s Ascension.”

The Questioner frowned as he looked at Them. “That’s a little premature.”

“We’ve learned to be careful with this business,” They replied. “Especially after the incident with 0 and the Tkon some time ago.”

“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” he asked, sighing dramatically.

“No,” They said. “We’re not. You’re to go among that kind. Observe them for as many moments as you think are necessary. When the time is right, test them.”

“A test? For a species whose potential is only just beginning to show?!” he asked, scowling. “Now that’s premature, and this is me talking. They’re medieval. They’re not even medieval - they’re primitives. Just because they have access to those powers...”

“Versions of these two are important,” They interrupted. “We foresee a time when the Children will become involved.”

The Questioner paused. “Then why in the name of us do you want me to be involved? The Children are not our business. You know that better than I do.”

“The Children being involved marks these ones out as ones to watch,” They said. “And so watch them you will.”

“I see,” he said, knowing he didn’t really have a choice in the matter. “And what about if I should find them lacking?”

“Obliterate them utterly,” They ordered immediately. “They cannot be allowed to become a Power if they do not have the maturity to handle the responsibility such a position entails.”

“Gotcha,” the Questioner said. He sighed as they disappeared, leaving him watching over the world. “Now… how do I do this?”

***

8,800 BNM: The First Celestian Age begins. The eldest sister, Celestia, becomes the recognised full Diarch-for-Life of Equestria alongside her sister, though at this time Equestria is much smaller than it will become. Other nations - most notably the Unicorn Empire of Adamantia - are at first amicable, though wary of the Alicorns. At this time rumours of “the Dragon Horse” and “the Trickster God” begin circulating.

***

Princess.

Shouts of joy and excitement could be heard throughout the entirety of Everfree Castle. Equestria’s fledgling capital - which had been built to replace the old royal Unicorn seat at Cornopolis - was filled with thousands of ponies that bustled back and forth. streamers filled the air, musicians and street performers entertained the crowds and hundreds of stalls sold pastries, drinks and commemorative toys in celebration of the momentous occasion.

It was this day that the Alicorn sisters, Celestia and Luna, would ascend to the united Equestrian throne as representatives and rulers of all Ponydom.

Celestia sat upright on the great golden throne and tried her best not to fidget in discomfort. Whilst the ponies of Equestria had been coming to her with requests, issues and legislation for several years now the massive golden seat she was now planted in felt awkward and uncomfortable. Not that the seat itself was hard or even unsatisfactory, fine cushions softened the metal surface and were filled with Pegasus gathered clouds to ensure they never flattened. It was the fact that she was now the definite centre of attention, raised above her ponies on the multi-tiered dais that her seat was placed atop. She was already much taller than most other mares and all the space and ostentation that was now devoted to her just drew even more attention her way.

On a silver throne that sat right next to her own was Luna. The younger alicorn looked somewhat out of place. As the smaller of the two the throne she sat on, which had been crafted for ponies of Celestia’s size, seemed overly large. Still the Princess of the Night conducted herself with composure, her back straight and her head raised in a manner not too dissimilar to the Unicorn monarchs of old.

A great crowd of ponies stood before them. The entire aristocracy of Equestria was assembled in this hall in all of their finery and with every single adjutant, clerk and government official that now existed. Equestria’s government had crammed itself before her throne, all to her homage.

Celestia could see Unicorn lords and ladies bedecked in jewelry and fine silk, their faces locked in haughty expressions that became much more humble and respectful when they looked her way. Beside them, standing tall and proud, were the descendants of the old Pegasus warlords, still dressed in ceremonial armour that had sculpted depictions of ancient Pegasus heroes and great battles embossed on the cuirasses and the edges of their greaves and pauldrons. Mingling amongst them were the magnates of the great Earth Pony clans, dressed in their traditional puffed up skirts and ruff rimmed shirts. Their ancestors had long ago competed for votes, seeking favours and boons from one another. Now they were doing whatever they could to force their way into the machinations of the new nobility, fighting for the respect that their Unicorn and Pegasus peers still struggled to give them.

A great red carpet split the crowd down the middle. The wide and beautifully woven strip of velvet-soft cloth led all the way from the massive doors of the assembly hall all the way across the chamber, up the dais and right to the twin thrones at the other end.

A pair of Unicorns stood in the middle of the carpet, both them were as finely dressed as every other pony in the room, candle light glinting off the small fortune in gemstones that covered their attire. upon approaching the dais they knelt down, one foreleg stepping forward whilst their heads were lowered until their muzzles were brushing the floor.

“I Lord First Night,” the Unicorn stallion said in a strong and confident voice, “do so solemnly swear fealty and loyalty to Princesses Gloriana Regalia Celestia and Sidera Somniata Luna, crown diarchs of Equestria, Archduchesses of the Unicorns, Lord-Commanders of the Pegasi Legions, First Ministers of the Earth Ponies, and Regents of the Heavens. I will offer my life and my services and those of my family and descendants to thine most noble of causes. I swear to uphold thee and thy rule until the end of my days and those of my kin.”

“We do solemnly recognise and accept thine oaths.” Celestia replied, once again reciting the official response that she had repeated again and again over the course of the day. “Rise Lord First Night and accept thine place in this kingdom.”

By her side, Luna said the exact same thing and with that Lord First Night and his wife stood and walked off the carpet, the crowd parting to let them find a place amongst their number.

Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose. She could practically feel the court hold their breath in anticipation. Opening her eyes again she looked down at the assembled nobility, the bureaucrats and dozens of other ponies that were now her responsibility. The sight of them all, expectant looks on their faces and ambitious glints in their eyes. The sheer weight of their presence was almost overwhelming.

Glancing a moment at Luna, who nodded in encouragement, Celestia stood from her throne and looked at the assemblage of officials and authorities.

“Our little ponies,” Celestia said, her magically augmented voice carrying across the throne room, “Verily do we accept thine oaths of loyalty and fealty to ourselves and to this most glorious of kingdoms. Thou hast placed the most sacred of duties upon our shoulders, the duties of rulership. We shall never claim overlordship over all thy kin for that path dost lead to tyranny and misery. Yea, we shall be thine rulers and servants, beholden to the ponies and to thee. As steward of the Sun, that most blessed and beloved of orbs we shall bring prosperity and joy to the nation. We shall never abuse that authority given to us and instead shall strive to safeguard this power from those that would wish harm upon the ponies of this land.”

Celestia completed her proclamation to a thunderous applause from the assemblage. Then Luna also stood up from her own throne and walked to the edge of the dais’ top. She held her own head high and took a slight pause before beginning her own speech.

“Ponies of Equestria,” she began, her own voice also thundering throughout the chamber, “Thou hast tasked our most blessed self with a duty of great import. The guardianship of thine hopes and dreams. When our night doth fall upon thee and thine, the foes and villains that doth hide within the embrace of the shadow do stalk thine homes and thine thoughts. Worry not! For as thou place thine trust to guard thee during the day upon our royal sister, thou may also rest easy in the knowledge that we shall guard thee during thine slumber. We shall endeavour to ensure that the ponies of Equestria shalt remain secure in body, mind and soul.”

Luna’s speech was received with just as thunderous an applause with even Celestia stamping one of her hooves on the dais in celebration. Luna’s face lit up at the sight of so many ponies stamping in appreciation and bowed her head to them in acknowledgement and thanks.

Celestia quieted the crowd with a wave of her hoof, silence slowly descending over the chamber.

“Our little ponies,” she began again, “Today you crown us as thine rulers. Today begins a new age for Equestria and all Ponydom. Prosperity and harmony shall be spread throughout the land for we shall build a new age, an age where all Ponies within this land shall know peace and joy, where merriment, fulfilment and honest labour shall be experienced by all. This new Kingdom of Equestria shall march into the future with it’s ponies’ heads held high and their hearts strong.”

Celestia finished her speech by raising her right hoof into the air, the crowd responding with wild applause.

“Now spread the word throughout the castle, the city and the whole land.” Luna spoke with confidence and barely restrained excitement. “Let the celebrations begin. Eat, drink, be merry and do not stop until the dawn strikes upon the second day, for today a kingdom is born!”

With that several unicorns lit up their horns and wrapped pull cords in their magical grip. With a strong tug the cords were pulled and loud bells tolled, announcing the beginnings of the great celebration. A cheer broke out throughout the city, a cheer that could be heard in the chamber as thousands of ponies roared in joy at the momentous occasion.

Celestia looked to Luna and smiled. Their work had only just begun but it was time to make a difference to all. However that could wait. The ponies were in the streets, eager to meet their new diarchs. There was also a feast to prepare for and plenty of good food and drink awaited them both.