Magic is an amazing thing in the eyes of many who see it. Used and defined in ways that far surpass the comprehension of any ordinary beings. Whether they are creatures from the past, present, or another world entirely, magic is the one thing that will always fascinate them. It can come in many forms, shapes, sized and abilities, and be used however the wielder sees fit. Be it for good or bad, magic is the one thing that always has, and always will be, triumphant over everything else in the world. Being a representation of everything that exists in the world and beyond. Whether in the possession of an obtainer, or spread all across and vast and endless landscape, magic will always have some place in the universe. It is the biggest reason why supernatural forces, and lands full of myth and legend exist; why things unbelievable and unimaginable roam. Along with why one land in particular exists, filled with every type of magic possible in the minds or mortals.

The magical land, and vast nation…of Equestria.

To most, this nation was no different from any of the other lands of sorcery and impossibility in other lands or worlds altogether. Equestria however, was on a different level altogether. It was a land filled with endless possibilities and impossibilities, where the property of magic was always involved. This did not just stop with the nation itself, but those who lived in the Equestrian nation as well. From ponies, to griffons, dragons, thestrals, and any other creature that lived in this abundant land, they had some type of magic resting inside of them. Each one helping to symbolize and give a representation of who that individual is, and what they’re roll is in this beautiful land. This was not achieved by themselves, but by the being that created them, and blessed them with their magic. The one that was not only the ruler of the most dominant species in the world, but their mother, as well as the mother of every single living being in Equestria.

Lauren Holy Faust Lifegiver. The Alicorn Goddess of the Ponies, and the Ruler of Heaven and Paradise.

Lauren was the very first being to appear in the fabrics of the universe, as well as the one to create the world of Equis, and shape it into how it is today. While she could not be seen by the mortal eye, she did have a form, being the same as the ones that dominated Equestria. To say that Lauren was beautiful would be like saying that field of flowers was a mere basket. Or that a diamond was but a mere crystal found in an underground cave. No word relating to attractiveness could even describe the divine beauty that was Lauren herself. From her shining golden white coat that was softer than any cloud in the sky. To her luscious red mane and tail that were redder than even the darkest of rose petals. Add that to her glamorous blue eyes that seem to be deeper and brighter than any sky, and you have yourself a being that is the very definition of divine beauty.

For as long as ponies, and all other living beings can remember, Lauren was the only one that they went to in times of crisis. The one being that they went for whenever they needed guidance wisdom and reassurance over anything that was troubling them. No other deities or gods were worshipped as much as she was, or given as much respect as the Pony Goddess herself. Of course, there were many other gods and goddesses that graced the nation with their otherworldly response, and were treated as they were. As powerful and wise as they were, Lauren was always the one that was favored over the rest. Not that any of her fellow gods and goddesses minded; as far as they were concerned, Lauren was the real authoritive figure, and no one else. Alas, there is always that one in the group that was different from the rest, and that came in the form of a being that would send Equestria into a spiral of chaos.

Discord Konton, the God of Chaos and Disharmony.

Unlike the other divine deities that ruled the land alongside Faust, Discord was not like the other Alicorn. He was one of the more chaotic and destructive godly beings that were apart of Faust’s family, but not in the way that many would think. Despite being just as kind and wise, if not a bit goofier than the rest, that did not mean that he was not treated with some ounce of suspicion or caution. It soon grew to the point where the rest of the gods and goddesses begin to start accusing him of doing things that they had no proof of him doing. Faust, seeing where this was going, did all in her power to help one of her closest friends with the backlash, but it was all in vain. Eventually, after one incident that had everyone turning their backs in Discord, the God of Chaos revolted against those he once called his family. Throwing the entire nation of Equestria into a world of darkness and destruction.

Before anyone knew it, all of Equestria was under the rule of Discord, sent into a life full of absolute misery and despair and, of course, chaos. Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Pegasi, Thestrals, and so many other creatures alike became victims to the being that once helped protect them. None of them knew how, or why it came to be, or why he would even go against the ones he once fought alongside. What they did know was that he was out to get them, and was intent on making their lives hell on Equis, and then some. They fought hard, and did all they could to prevail against Discord, some of them even pleading with him to turn from the path he chose. Alas, no one, not even Faust herself was able to reach the grief-stricken Chaos God, and he made it clear that he had no intention of joining their ranks again. Knowing there was no other option left, Faust went to the only ponies she knew that stood a chance against the one she once called her family.

Celestia Daybringer and Luna Nightwalker; the Goddesses of the Sun and Moon, and Royal Daughters of Lauren Faust herself.

Like their mother, Celestia and Luna were the two sisters that were not part of the Three Equine Tribes. In fact, they were unlike any Earth Pony, Unicorn, or Pegasus that was born anywhere in Equestria. They were known as Alicorns, the most powerful, rare, and the majestic species of ponies that ever lived as well as the rarest. They had the combined powers of all three of the Pony Tribes and were stronger, faster, and more capable of magic than any other equine alive. It was easy to see why they were so gifted, since they were one of the children of Faust that descended from the very heavens themselves. Nevertheless, it did not stop the two sisters, from confronting Discord, engaging him in a battle that shook even their own mother to her very core. It took countless divine lives being sacrificed from their family, but in the end, the Chaos God was defeated at last. To ensure that he’d harm anypony ever again, Celestia and Luna used their combined powers to imprison him into stone for all eternity. This was not an easy decision for any of them however, and may grieved the loss of the Chao God. Some of them unable to let him go or truly despise him despite what had happened, including the Pony Goddess herself.

Not long after the defeat of the former God of Chaos, Celestia and Luna were crowned as the new Queens of Equestria, having proven themselves to be fine rulers. Faust disappeared from the face of the earth, as if she was never there in the first place. The two sisters and the rest of their family searched endlessly, but not a single trace of her was found. The day that they had finally gave up the search was the day that they and the remaining Alicorn race mourned the loss of the Pony Goddess. It was on that day that the Royal Sisters knew what they needed to do, and what they had to do to make the memory of their dear mother to live on. It was on that day that the Royal Sisters vowed to do everything in their power to live up to their mother’s legacy. That no matter what, they’d do all they could to protect the ponies in her absence, until their time came to join their mother once more.

From then on, the Queens began the task of replenishing the land that Discord had so horribly destroyed, bringing light, hope, and joy for all ponies alike. It took many centuries, many grueling battles, and many tears, but soon enough, they became rulers of Equestria and Harmonia. Celestia watched over the ponies during the day, and Luna watching them by night, as well as forming a guard of all three pony races. This guard worked together with both princesses, eliminating all threats that came to them and to the ponies that they swore to protect, putting in the blood, sweat, and tears to do so. For a time, all was peaceful and calm in this beautiful land, but alas, as the saying goes peace never lasts forever.

It was only a matter of time before another evil being came to rise, and it once again came in the form of one of their own. On the northern side of Equestria, in the inhabitants of the Frozen North, laid another nation in a land of nothing but ice and snow. This land was known as the Crystal Empire, a kingdom similar to that of Equestria but smaller, though it was by no means any less important, magical, or idealistic. For example, the ponies that lived there were not of the ponies that were found in Equestria, at least not in appearance, for their bodies looked as if they were made of the very crystal mountains themselves, found deep in the snowy mountain terrain.

The reason for this is because each and every single one of the ponies that inhabited this land was known for spreading as much love and hope as they could throughout the empire in, thanks to them powering the Crystal Heart that Inhabited the kingdom. It was the one known way that the empire was protected by any outside dangers, and it was very efficient against any types of dangers. Alas, no amount of protective magic or love would be able to face off against the evil that was yet to rise within their own land. One that would make sure would hear their roar of darkness and despair.

Before the rise of this great evil, there lived a royal family, two of which were alicorns, while the other was a mere unicorn. The first alicorn was a mare, Empress Mi Amore, the Empress of the Crystal Empire and the Goddess of love. Then, there was Mi Amore Cadenza, the future heir to the Crystal Empire’s throne, and the daughter of the Love Goddess. Finally, there was Cadenza’s unicorn husband, Sombra Ryuraion, the Black Lion King of the Crystal Empire. Each of them ruled side by side in this frozen land, bringing hope and love to the ponies that basked in their glory and power. As much as the crystal ponies accepted and respected both Cadence and Sombra, they always seemed to have a special eye for the former. The latter may have been their Emperor, and ruler as well, but many ponies seemed to favor Empress Cadence more than they did Emperor Sombra. Presumably because she was a pony of divine power and beauty, while Sombra was just like any other pony that walked across the street.

Sombra was not pleased by this, and only continued to grow angrier and more jealous as he went deeper into his role as the Crystal Emperor. He went to his wife about his feelings, but neither seemed to be able to help him. Only giving him little reassurances that he was just as loved, or ignoring his concerns all together. Mi Amore, however, did notice, and did all she could to warm Sombra’s breaking heart, sensing it becoming darker with each day. As helpful as she was, Mi Amore could only do so much before she too was consumed by her royal duties. This left Sombra all to himself, unable to do nothing but let himself be consumed by his own pain and anger at what he didn’t have that his family did.

The Emperor soon began to study forbidden magic and ancient spells, wanting to have the same kind of power and magic his wife and mother had. It was easy for him to do so, for his wife and mother and law were too absorbed into their royal duties to really notice what Sombra was doing. As careful as he was to hide what he was doing, it was only a matter of time before Cadence and Mi Amore figured out what he was up to. The once again tried to get him to open up to them, being far more concerned than they were before. It was too late sadly, and by the time they did, Sombra was already too absorbed in his research to come out now. The months went on, and before long, Sombra had completed his research, having gained what he oh so desired for so long.

Mi Amore and Cadence did not realize what had happened until it was too late, the damage Sombra went through being too great to fix. The straw had finally broken the camel’s back, and Sombra snapped, unable to keep the insanity clawing at him any longer. Wanting revenge for his subjects ignoring him, he unleashed his rage on all of the Crystal Empire, and the ones he was supposed to love and cherish. Before long, he went from the strong, kind and wise ruler, to a pony with unrelenting hatred and unquenchable thirst for power and a heard darker than his mane. A heart that was blacker than the very night sky itself, and an anger that would’ve frightened even the mightiest of dragons.

Soon, Emperor Sombra was no longer just the Ruler of the Crystal Empire and Husband of the Goddess of Love. He was also the Harbinger of Hatred and Fear, and the infamous Black Lion of the Frozen North.

After his new transformation, Sombra became the Emperor he so desperately wanted to be since his marriage into the Royal Family. In the wake of his new ascension, Sombra struck down Mi Amore, killing the Goddess of Love right in front of her daughter’s eyes. After taking his wife hostage and making him his prisoner, he took his place as the one and only leader of the Crystal Empire. His reign did not last long however, as the two royal sisters had discovered his twisted cruel misdeeds and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all. The battle was brutal, and there were a few times where they were nearly defeated and taken over by Sombra’s new alicorn form. With a stroke of luck given by Luna, the sisters prevailed, leaving a devastated Cadence to watch over the Crystal Empire.

After the defeat of the Black Lion, Celestia and Luna went back to their respective roles of watching over their precious ponies, day and night. As the centuries passed, life seemed to be flourishing, exhilarating, and absolutely perfect for the ponies of Equestria, with their Queens watching over them and protecting them from danger. Unfortunately, as the centuries passed the younger sister, Luna, began to grow sadden and depressed, for she had seen a change in most of the ponies. The Lunar Queen began to notice who they really respected, looked up to, and went to for guidance. Who they really worshiped and loved and depended on for leadership This only grew worse when she saw which of their two cycles that the ponies loved most; the cycles that Luna and Celestia both ruled over.

While everypony flourished in Celestia’s bright and gorgeous day, they shunned and slept through Luna’s calm, quiet, cool, peaceful, and beautiful night. Despite Celestia’s many reassurances that Luna was loved, she was not convinced, for she could see what was really happening. The Solar Queen was either naively oblivious to her sister’s pain or just brushing it off as mere jealously. Over time, the Queen of the Night’s sadness grew, to the point where she had shut out everypony out who tried to help her. It was only at that point that her sister finally began see just how much pain the younger Alicorn was in. What she didn’t realize, was just how much the darkness had consumed her little sister.

Slowly, Celestia had come to realized that her sister was not as loved as she thought. Not only that, but even she didn’t truly love her sister as much as she had originally believed. A small part of the Sun Goddess actually feared her sister, even more so due to the powers that she held. Ones that exceeded even that of Celestia’s own in many unseen ways, frightening the Sun Goddess with every fiber of her being. By the time she had realized what she had done, Luna was too far gone to be brought back. The Queen of the Night did not want anything to do with her, having seen how little her sister cared about her. The Lunar Queen had even come to believe that her sister was taking all the love of their subjects for herself. A thought that was as every bit as true as Luna believed, creating an even bigger rift between them.

Soon, the Lunar Queen’s sadness and depression began to grow into anger and resentment, until the Goddess of the Moon finally snapped. One fateful day, Luna refused to lower the Moon so that her elder sister could make the Sun rise for the dawn. Celestia pleaded with her younger sister to stand down, to do her duty as the Queen of the Night, but Luna’s anger, jealousy, and hatred were too deep, too bitter, and far, far to consuming. She was so hurt, so damaged, and so emotionally and mental unstable that she became another entirely different being. And a final unforgivable act by her Celestia’s hand lead to Luna becoming known as one of the most common villains in all of Equestrian history.

Before long, the Lunar Queen was no longer Queen Luna Nightwalker, Goddess of the White Moon and Protector of Dreams. She was now Nightmare Blood Moon, the Mare of Nightmares, the Goddess of the Red Moon and the Queen of Darkness.

In her new terrifying state, Nightmare moon vowed to Celestia that she would shroud all of Equestria and the whole world in Eternal Night. That the sun would never again rise, and her reign would last forever for as long as she breathed. Celestia once again tried to plead with her sister to surrender and lower the Moon, but the only answer Nightmare Moon gave was one with brute force and unfathomable violence. At that moment, Celestia realized that the one sister she knew, the one sister she loved more than anything else in the world, was gone. Only the monster remained, the monster that she had created…and there was only one way to stop it.

With no other option, Celestia finally went hoof to hoof against her younger sister. The battle that transpired afterward could only be described as a battle between gods, or goddesses for that matter. Towering mountains and vast forests cracked and split from the magical blasts emitted from their sword-like horns. Hurricanes and wind currents sliced through the air, tearing through the land with powerful flaps of their majestic wings. Craters that were the size of giant asteroids, as if falling from outer space, were left in the earth from the powerful strikes of their hooves. Through it all, every single one of their subjects were there to witness it, both that were with Celestia and forced to side with the corrupted Luna. It was a battle unlike anything Equestria had ever seen since the Era of Chaos and the rise of the Royal Sisters. One that would forever be known throughout the history of Equestria and many future generations, as the Battle of the Two Sisters.

Seeing that she was losing fast, Celestia was forced to take drastic measures to save herself and the nation she ruled. With regret in her weighing in her heart, and despair clouding her mind, she turned to the greatest source of power Equestria had ever known. The one given to her and her sister by their mother after she forever vanished from the face of Equis.

The Elements of Harmony.

With their combined power, Celestia rose up against her sister, defeating the former Ruler of the Night with the divine weapons of Faust. Try as she might, the Dark Queen was unable to withstand their combined might, and was permanently banished to the Moon she raised. From then on Celestia ruled Equestria alone, taking the task of raising both the Sun and the Moon without her dear sister by her side. As time went on, ponies began to take notice of the black unicorn head on the moon, the shape itself being so easy to notice. Before long, Nightmare Moon gained another name, coming to be known throughout history as, ‘The Mare on the Moon.’

Queen Celestia Daybringer may have succeeded in defeating her younger sister and saving Equestria from Eternal Night, but even she knew that the peace would not last forever. One day, her sister would return, and all of Equestria would soon be in danger once again. When it did, not even she would be able to stop it, not without the help of the Elements of harmony and the ponies who would bear them. Unbeknownst to her, when her sister was due to return, a group of ponies would soon rise up to face the Mare of Darkness. All of them, and allies alike, led by a pony more special that any of them combined. It would be a pony that would forge down a path that would change the future of Faust’s children, and the very history of Equestria forever.

For that one special pony, this path will be more adventurous and wondrous, then even she herself could’ve ever imagined.

Next Chapter: Chapter 2 - Cat-Eyed Fledglings Estimated time remaining: 18 Hours, 12 Minutes