Twilight walked slowly and cautiously down the decrepit staircase. She never really cared about the condition of the basement of the Ponyville Library where she lived, so naturally it fell into disrepair. With a sigh she finally reached the bottom of the stairs only to trip on a crack and fall face first onto the cold cement floor.
“Ow!” she whined, rubbing her sore snout with her front hoof. She quickly seized the opportunity to cast an illumination spell, in order to foil any other attempt on her life that some evil crevice might have. The sight of the basement was not familiar to her. She had been down there once before, and that time the book that she was looking for was in the bookcase at the foot of the stairs. This time was different however. She had scheduled this time to schedule the next month’s schedule. What she didn’t realize was that the Cutie Mark Crusaders had decided to become Cutie Mark Crusader screenwriters and had come by earlier that day and taken all of Twilight’s quills. This wouldn’t usually have been a problem, but the quill shop was closed for remodeling and Owliscious was away at the moment. That’s when Spike mentioned that there might be some spare quills down in the basement.
Those were the events that led her to looking around at the unfamiliar sight of her own basement. It was big, nearly as big as the main room of the library itself, but not as tall. Like the rest of the library, bookcases lined the walls, but all were empty except for the few books that lay on the bookcase at the foot of the stairs. Several desks littered the center of the room and Twilight decided that would be the best place to start looking for some quills. She trotted over to the nearest desk and began opening several drawers with her magic. This search continued for some time, until finally she came to the last dusty desk. She pulled open the first drawer of the desk and let out a sigh of relief as she found not one, but two extra quills. That was not the only thing in the drawer, however. Lying next to the quills was a very old book. It was so covered in dust that the cover was obscured. Curious, Twilight lifted the book with her magic and blew away the dust. The cover of the book bore a symbol that looked like spiral, but apart from that there was no indication of what the book was. Twilight thought that she recognized that symbol, but she couldn’t quite remember where she had seen it before.
“Well, I don’t really have time to look at this right now,” she said to herself, “I am late as it is, so this will just have to wait.” She carried the book and the quills back upstairs, careful to not let the treacherous fissure have its way with her again, and set the book aside and began to work on her schedule.
Later that night, she made the finishing touches on her schedule and headed up to bed. She wasn’t necessarily all that tired, but she was convinced that would change when she finally fell into bed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Twilight was, if anything, even more awake now. She decided that it might help if she counted the stars. When she was just a filly, her mother always used to tell her that if she ever had trouble falling asleep to count the stars. It always seemed to work, and it might have been the reason that Twilight became interested in astronomy in the first place.
Twilight looked out her window at the beautiful starry sky. Stars. Star spiral. Star swirl. “That’s it!” Twilight yelled jolting upright in bed. She did know that symbol on the book cover. It was Star Swirl the Bearded’s cutie mark. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize it before,” she said as she ran from the room and down the stairs.
She raced over to the book and picked it up. Yes, this was definitely Star Swirl’s cutie mark, but why was it on this book? She had read nearly every book about him and she had never even seen this book before. Upon closer inspection she noticed exactly how old this book looked. The cover was tattered and scarred while the binding was barely holding the book together. The pages of the book were still intact, but were yellowed with age. Carefully, she set the book back down on the table and opened the cover.
Scanning the first page, she discovered something rather interesting about the book. “These are hoof-written entries,” she said in amazement. Realization came to her with the force of a tsunami. “This is the personal journal of Star Swirl the Bearded!” The anticipation was too much for her, she had to know what was written in these pages. Lit by the magic from her horn, she began reading.
"This winter must be the coldest in history, and it’s getting tough to feed everypony. Things are pretty bad between the tribes as well, and with food dwindling like this I fear that things are only going to get worse..."
3500 years ago...
The wind beat against the windows as the snow kept piling up. By candlelight, a green unicorn with a strange spiral as a cutie mark and rather long white beard wrote vigorously in his journal. It was his one great release to let his thoughts pour out onto paper. He sighed as he finished and closed the journal. Almost immediately the door behind him flung open. Standing in the doorway was none other than Princess Platinum, the king’s daughter, followed closely by her assistant and his apprentice Clover the Clever. “Greetings, your majesty, how did the summit of the tribes go?”
“Those other tribes just wouldn’t listen to reason,” she stated, “They are nothing but a bunch of brutes. I refuse to work with them anymore and this land is all but ruined. It is with that in mind that I have decided to go in search of a new kingdom, one that the unicorns can control by themselves without collaborating with earth pony peasants or pegasus ruffians.”
Star Swirl sighed, he had hoped that the tribes would have come to an agreement. Things used to be good, when the partnership had first started. How did things manage to go so wrong? “Are you sure that is such a good idea, your majesty? The people need a leader, and the king is still very ill. Are you just going to leave them?”
“I assure you Star Swirl that I do this for the sake of the unicorn race. And as my trusted Magic Advisor I leave you in charge in my stead. I trust that you can handle that responsibility?”
“Yes, of course, your majesty.”
“Good, then I will be going, and Clover the Clever will accompany me on this search. We will send a message when we discover a new land. Farewell, Star Swirl.”
“Farewell, your majesty, and good luck.”
Two months passed without any word from the princess. Star Swirl was working in his laboratory when a guard came through the door. Star Swirl set down the papers he was levitating and turned to face the guard. “How many today?” he asked reluctantly.
“Twenty-five sir, five were just foals.”
“Damn it, starvation is no way to die. But I have been through these papers a million times and nothing like this winter has ever been documented. I don’t know what to do.” As he said these words another guard came rushing into the room.
“Sir, Clover the Clever has arrived.”
“Is she with the princess?”
“No sir she seems to be alone.”
“Oh I hope this cursed winter didn’t take her too,” he said as he rushed out of the room.
Clover the Clever was just entering the main hall when he arrived. “Clover, please, please tell me nothing happened to the princess!”
Clover just smiled back at him, “It’s okay Star Swirl, all is well. The princess and I have found a new land. And strangely enough, the pegasi and earth ponies found it as well.”
“Oh no, tell me that this fighting isn’t going to start all over again.”
“Relax, as it turns out, this winter is the result of windigoes. They have been feeding off of our hate for one another, and using it to create this everlasting winter.”
“Windigoes, of course, now it makes sense.”
“We were able to defeat them by putting aside our differences and working together. The winter should fade in time without them, but this land will be dead and barren. So we founded a new land, one where unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies can live together in harmony. A land called Equestria. I have come to lead you, the king, and everyone else to this new land.”
Star Swirls face suddenly turned down, and he looked away, “I am sorry Clover. The king, he passed away about two weeks ago. He was very ill, and without the food that he needed, his body just gave out.”
“Princess Platinum won’t take this news well, but there is no use dwelling on it. We have to go.”
“I agree, even more ponies will die if we stay here,” he motioned for one of the guards. “Gather up all food that we have been saving and gather what you can from the ponies in town as well. We will distribute everything out among the remaining unicorns. And tell them to take anything they want with them, we won’t be returning.”
“Yes sir.”
By the end of the day what was left of the unicorn population was gathered up. Food was distributed out to the unicorns and Star Swirl went to the head to address them. “My fellow unicorns, it is with a heavy heart that I tell you that we are forced to leave our home. This winter has killed the land that we call home, and for the sake of our species we cannot stay here. But all hope is not lost. Our princess set out two months ago in search of a new place to call home. I have received word that our prayers have been answered. Clover the Clever, who accompanied our princess has returned bearing news that a new land has been found. One where we unicorns can live together with earth ponies and pegasi. She will lead the way to this new land that they have called Equestria. The trip will take a week I have been told, so ration the food you have accordingly. A new era is upon us, a new era of harmony!” As Star Swirl finished his speech to thunderous applause, he turned to Clover. “Lead the way, my apprentice.” And they began their trek.
A week later they arrived in their new land. The pegasi population was already there, but the distinct lack of flightless ponies told the unicorns that the earth ponies were still on their way. As they approached what appeared to be the construction site of a castle a rainbow-maned pegasus flew down to meet them. “Clover the Clever, glad to see you returned,” said the cyan mare.
“Thank you Commander. Star Swirl, this is Commander Hurricane. Leader of the Pegasi.” Clover then shifted to Commander Hurricane, “And this is the magic advisor to Lord Radience, Star Swirl the Bearded.”
“Nice to meet you Star Swirl,” said Commander Hurricane offering a hoof.
Star Swirl accepted it and said, “The feeling is mutual Commander.”
“Now, I would very much like to meet with the unicorn leader. Where is he?”
“Well you see...” Clover began, but at that moment she was interrupted by Princess Platinum who had just emerged from the incomplete castle.
“Clover, thank goodness you’ve returned. As you can see we are moving along very nicely with the castle and things will move a lot faster once the earth ponies get here. Where is father, I must speak with him.”
Clover cringed and backed away. Before the princess could say anything, Star Swirl stepped forward. “I’m sorry your majesty, the winter was too much for him. He didn’t make it. You are the leader of the unicorns now.”
The princess couldn’t say anything, all she could do was stand there in shock. After a minute she finally spoke with tears in her eyes, “Clover, please come with me. We have things to discuss.” Clover turned to Star swirl who nodded, and she went to the Princess’ side. Then without a word they turned and headed to the castle. Star Swirl knew that the princess had to be strong in front of her subjects, but he knew she was crushed inside.
Commander Hurricane approached Star Swirl. “My condolences, this is a great loss to your race. Please tell the other unicorns that we have food for them inside the castle. I’m sure it was a hard journey on all of you.”
“Yes, it definitely was. Thank you Commander.” With that Commander Hurricane flew off. After addressing the unicorns about the food and start moving them towards the castle Star Swirl went to find the princess.
Navigating the castle wasn’t too hard, since only a portion of it was finished. Star Swirl found the princess with Clover in one of the rooms that had been completed. When he entered he noticed the princess’ red, puffy eyes.
“Your majesty,” Star Swirls started, “I know that this news comes as great burden, but the other unicorns need you now. Right now they are eating what is sure to be the biggest meal they have had for a very long time. But when that is finished, they will be homeless in a land that is very different from their old home. They need their leader.”
Princess Platinum got to her hooves, “You are right Star Swirl, I can’t lie here in self pity. Clover the Clever, please inform Star Swirl of what I have told you. I must go to my subjects.”
“Yes, your majesty,” Clover said as Princess Platinum left the room. “Now then, Star Swirl, there are a few things that have come up. The Pegasi were the first to arrive after we journeyed home to get the rest of our race. It soon became apparent that they were pretty much good at one thing.”
“Fighting?” questioned Star Swirl.
“I wasn’t going to be quite so frank, but yes. Now that doesn’t mean that they are being uncooperative. Quite the opposite, and it gave us a good idea. The pegasi can act as a kind of aerial army. While the guards that we have can act as a ground unit. With Pegasi in the sky, and unicorns on the ground with magic, it is a fairly formidable army. And we have Commander Hurricane to act as a sort of General.”
“And what of the earth ponies?” asked Star Swirl.
“According to Chancellor Puddinghead, the earth pony leader, they don’t really have any military aspect of their society, focusing more on agriculture. So they won’t be able to help us militarily.”
“But they have one of the most important jobs, they can build anything at least three times faster than the unicorns and the pegasi. And they are the only ones that know the finer points of growing crops. We wouldn’t be able to survive without them.”
“I wholeheartedly agree with you, now we just need to wait for...”
Clover the Clever was cutoff by a really pink pony with a hat made of pudding. “Hello there unicorns!”
“Oh, Chancellor Puddinghead, good to see you. This is the unicorn leader’s magic advisor, Star Swirl the Bearded.”
“Pleased to meet you mister Swirl,” said the pink pony, vigorously shaking his hoof.
Star Swirl yanked his hoof back from the earth pony, “The pleasure is all mine, Chancellor. We were just talking about when the earth ponies would be arriving. Do you have any information of that?”
“Yessiree, They arrived just a few seconds ago. That’s why I came to find you.”
“Excellent!” exclaimed Star Swirl, “Let’s go and see them Clover.”
The two unicorns walked out to the main hall with the Chancellor bouncing behind them. As the reached the main gate they could see the mass of earth ponies begin to filter into the line for food behind the unicorns. As they passed the long series of tables holding the food they were approached by an orange earth pony with a blonde mane. “Hello Smart Cookie!” yelled the Chancellor.
“Evenin’ Chancellor, Clover.”
“It’s good to see you returned safely,” said Clover, “This is our magical advisor Star Swirl the Bearded.”
“Well howdy Star Swirl, it’s a pleasure.”
“Likewise, of course, Smart Cookie was it?”
“Eeyup, that’s me. I can see that there is still plenty of food left. I was worried that the tribe that got here last was going to miss out.”
“I was actually wondering how there is this much food to begin with,” stated Star Swirl.
“Well this land is super fertile. There are plants all over that have berries and other kinds of fruit. We had a real easy time harvestin’ all of it,” explained Smart Cookie.
“Wow, that’s incredible. We couldn’t have hoped for more.”
Clover stepped forward, “Now that all the tribes are here, I think it is best to hold a meeting between all the leaders and their second-in-commands.”
“I agree,” said Star Swirl, “It’s time that we all get together and discuss a few pressing issues.” The others all nodded in agreement and went to gather the other leaders.
Within the hour the leaders of the tribes were gathered in the great hall. Princess Platinum was in attendance with Clover the Clever. Chancellor Puddinghead and Smart Cookie were there. And Commander Hurricane arrived practically dragging a yellow pegasus behind her. “Ah Commander, good, you’re here,” said Star Swirl.
“Sorry I kept you, my second-in-command was a little reluctant to come. This is Private Pansy, Star Swirl.”
“Um, pleased to meet you,” the yellow pegasus practically whispered.
“It’s a pleasure Private. Now then, since we are all here we can begin. I will act as a mediator for this meeting. I think that the first issue that we need to discuss is leadership. Until now we have all ruled separately. Now that we are all living together we need to come up with something different.”
It was silent for a while. Commander Hurricane was the first to speak, “It is a pegasus tradition that the strongest is the one that should lead.”
“Oh please,” said Princess Platinum, “We are not barbarians, and there is more to a leader then strength. A leader requires elegance and a passion to help their subjects.”
Chancellor Puddinghead was next, “It’s obvious what a leader needs. A leader needs brains, duh!” Star Swirl swore he heard Smart Cookie sigh.
Star Swirl knew he needed to step in to keep things civil, “If I may interject, I think you are going about this the wrong way. Think about it, all of you have things that you do that the others don’t do as well. To leave out any of these attributes would be a big mistake. So what I propose is not a single leader, but a council of sorts. An Equestrian Council.”
“Star Swirl is right,” agreed Clover, “We need to work together to rule. With all of us together, there is no problem we can’t overcome.”
“All in favor?” asked Star Swirl. Everypony raised their hooves. It was unanimous. “Then I hereby call to order The First Equestrian Council.”