Many are the tales of great and noble Houses, who rise to have influence over the rest of the Green Lands. Some arise through acts of heroism. Others, through wealth. But, for House Sparkle, their story began through sheer fealty.

Theirs, like many Houses, began during the height of the first war against the Gryffs. Solaris the Great, having agreed to fight alongside many of the other kings of the Green Lands, rode north from his home, bringing with him many of his personal mage followers. Along the way, he called for volunteers in the lands he journeyed through, hoping to bolster his ranks before meeting the Gryffs in the field. One such volunteer was a young farm-hand, named Twilight Sparkle.

Many a day passed before Solaris' force managed to reach the lands between the Gryff's home and our own, and the famed conflict known as the Battle of the Border began. As written elsewhere, this battle ended the lives of many of the other kings who fought alongside Solaris, and the sun-king himself might have well been among the dead, had it not been for the intervention of that unassuming farm-hand. During the height of the battle, Solaris found himself surrounded by nearly a dozen Gryff warriors, and though his skill in magic was unequalled at that time, even he was unlikely to survive such overwhelming numbers.

Into this fray came Twilight, who, in that moment of near-defeat, revealed herself to be a mage, like Solaris himself. Using her power, she managed to do away with several of the Gryffs surrounding the king, enabling him to fight back more effectively against the rest. This was the turning point, and within hours, the battle was won. For her loyalty to him, and for her bravery in coming to his aid, Solaris ennobled Twilight then and there, and thus, House Sparkle was born. Such was the start of many of the noble houses of today, as their forebears were also present at that battle. The Apples. The Lulamoons. The Belles. These and more rose high because of their involvement in that conflict, and, in time, we will indeed discuss them at length.

This start for the Sparkle family also cemented what, in hindsight, is perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of their bloodline; their close friendship with House Solaris. From the moment she was ennobled, Twilight was brought into Solaris' personal service, becoming one of his court mages. It was a highly coveted position, and one that ensured that young Twilight was there to advise her king on many matters afterwards. When Canterlot expanded in the succeeding years, the Sparkles were granted a new home, Sparkle Manor, which to this day remains fairly close to the abode of the royal family.

As the centuries rolled on, the Sparkles remained close and steadfast allies of House Solaris, and served them in many capacities. They were not only court mages, but also scholars, retainers, and, when not those, then even just simply friends with many members of the Solaris family. In the absence of the ruling monarch, some Sparkles have even been asked to sit upon the council of regents, to govern Canterlot in their stead. In fact, so close are the two families that, on occasion, there have even been marriages between them. Though, it must be noted that such unions have largely been between second or third sons and daughters, rather than through direct heirs.

But, while all this may make House Sparkle out to be far more fortunate than most, it must be admitted that not everything has been good for the family. In fact, as of the time this chapter is being written, their family has suffered great tragedy. Velvet Sparkle, a teacher of the royal school of magic, recently passed away during childbirth, bringing forth her second child, a daughter. Her husband, Night Sparkle, another scholar, was so overwhelmed with grief that, during an expedition beyond Canterlot's walls, he and his party were set upon by bandits, and so distracted was he that his life came to an end at their blades.

Thus, House Sparkle has, quite recently, been brought to it's most vulnerable position in years. Today, only two members of their blood remain. The current head of the family is Shining Armour, Night and Velvet's eldest child, who, in the spirit of his ancestor's service to the crown, has recently entered into training to become a member of the royal guard. While this would be the first time a member of their family has entered into military service since the founding of their house, it is still good to know that the spirit of fealty to the realm remains.

As for the second member? It is the aforementioned and newly-born daughter, Twilight Sparkle. While still young, Shining Armour is, by leave of the crown, old enough to assume the position of Twilight's guardian and, as his first act in this position, named her after the founder of their House, the very figure who once ensured that even House Solaris would continue on through the centuries. Though Shining and Twilight have some undoubtedly difficult years ahead of them, it is my hope that they will overcome such hardships.

Such is the history of House Sparkle, and a pristine example they are to the rest of the realm. So often serving both crown and country, they have remained, throughout their lifetimes, a family that can be looked up to. Their desires are for the betterment of their fellow people, just as it always has been. And if one still has doubts as to their devotion to helping others, one need only look to their family words;

"Magic we were gifted. Magic, we shall gift."