//------------------------------// // 3 - The Lost Kingdom // Story: The Chronicles of Eponia // by GallaicusBrony92 //------------------------------// The mirror shone, and two ponies came from it, a little bit dizzy from the transition between two worlds. “I think I'll never get used to this.” Said Sunset Shimmer trying to recompose. In the same room, a mauve unicorn observed with surprise how the two ponies came out of the mirror. Starlight Glimmer smiled when she saw the unicorn with orange fur and red and yellow mane. “Sunset! You've come back!" Said Starlight. “Starlight! How good to see you, it’s been so long.” The orange unicorn gave a hug to the pony who saved them from Junniper Montage. Twilight watched the scene happy for both. It was amazing how long ago neither Sunset nor Starlight had any idea of ​​friendship, and both managed to outdo themselves, make friends and bury their terrible past. The pride the alicorn felt for the achievements of her students was indescribable. Twilight imagined that Princess Celestia must have felt that way when she saw all that she had achieved with her guide, and the help of her friends. “Twilight, the others are waiting in the room, they want to know if you have discovered something.” Said Starlight. “Well, maybe I've discovered something.” Said the princess, who still doubted if Sunset’s horn would take them somewhere, or they’ll keep shooting in the dark. “Let's go with them and we'll explain everything." In the map hall, they were all on their respective thrones, waiting for the arrival of Twilight. The princess came through the door accompanied by Starlight and Sunset. The girls came over to greet the orange unicorn, who felt some sudden embarrassment while meeting on her best friends’ counterparts. “So, Sunset, I don’t think they need an introduction, girls this is Sunset Shimmer.” Twilight introduce Sunset to the rest of her friends. “It's a pleasure to meet you all, although technically I already know who you are.” Said Sunset a little bit shy, almost as shy as Fluttershy herself. “By the way, I have not had the opportunity to apologize for the… “incident” with Twilight’s crown, I’m sorry." “Don't worry darling, that's past water, the pleasure is all ours.” said Rarity. “It's good to see that you're not the same crown stealer from the last time.” Said Rainbow Dash totally tactless. “Um, no offense…” The cyan pegasus shamed at her words. “Not taking Rainbow, besides, I kinda got used to it.” Said Sunset with a soft laugh. “This is going to be great! Welcome back!" Pinkie Pie took her party cannon out of nowhere and fired it near Sunset, this one shook the confetti that was left in her mane laughing at the attitude of the crazy pink mare. “We have to set up a Welcome to Equestria party for you." Pinkie Pie hugged Sunset Shimmer as if they were lifelong friends. Sunset, far from bothering, found the attitude of the pink mare certainly tender. The joy that Pinkie showed up was contagious. Sunset confirmed it shortly, after feeling the embrace of her cheerful friend’s counterpart. “A whole new world, the same Pinkie Pie.” She thought out loud. “Well girls, there will be time for those things, now we must talk about the map.” Said Twilight getting serious. As if this one knew it was being mentioned, glowed again, but this time the rumps of the bearers of the Elements were showing their shining cutie marks. Surprisingly, Sunset’s cutie mark was glowing too. All of them cutie marks appeared in the map and entered the fog. “Oh my gosh.” Said Starlight, “what does this means?” Twilight sighed, incapable of saying anything that weren’t pointless. “Just another mystery to be solved I think." “Is the Map asking us to get into a fog bank?” Asked Rainbow starting to think that the Map definitely went crazy. “I hate fog, it ruffles my mane too much.” Said Rarity worried about them possible destiny. “Because that's the biggest problem with fog, right?" Said Applejack sarcasticly, "anyway, Twilight, did ya discover anythin’ in Sunset’s World?” Asked the country pony as she returned to her throne with the others. “Yes, I think we’ve got something, Sunset please, do the honors." At the request of Twilight, Sunset used her magic to pull the horn out of one of her saddlebags and placed it in the center of the map, which was still covered in fog. “Sunset has this horn since she was a filly, but she doesn’t know where it comes from, or why is in her power. Rarity, you're good at the details, can you figure out something?" Asked Twilight to the fashionista. Rarity put on her glasses and levitated the horn towards her watching it closely. She spent a couple of minutes turning and analyzing each nook of the contraption, until she came to a conclusion. "Well Rarity?" Asked Sunset Shimmer expectantly. “Um, from what I think, I would say that it is an object of ancient craftwork, for what I know in Equestria they do not make nothing made with horns, besides I don't know what kind of horn we’re talking about, for what we know could it be a minotaur's horn, a dragon’s horn… and yet, we’ve got the same problem here... these strange symbols ...” Rarity felt sorry for not being able to be more helpful. “Sorry darlings, ancient crafts are not really my thing." “If only we knew at least somepony who knew about ancient artifacts…” said Fluttershy distressed. "THAT’S IT!" shouted Rainbow Dash suddenly approaching to Fluttershy, frightening her in the act. "Fluttershy, you're a genius." “I am?” Asked the shy pegasus confused. As soon as she said that, Rainbow flew as quick as a flash, only to return in a matter of seconds with a book her hooves. What kind of crazy plan was on Rainbow’s mind? “Here, there it is the answer to all our problems.” She said putting the book on the map table. The others approached to the book to be able to look carefully at the cover and try to understand what Rainbow Dash was referring to. The expression of surprise of all was immediate. "Daring Do?" They all exclaimed surprised. “Rainbow, what in tarnation does Daring Do have to do with this?” Asked Applejack confused. “Don’t you see? She is an archaeologist, she has to know a lot about old scrap and stuff." She explained excitedly for having thought of that idea. “It isn’t scrap Rainbow! But, yes, I think you’re right,” said Twilight. “As an archaeologist, she should have extensive knowledge of ancient material culture, and ancient languages, it's worth trying, what can we lose?” “Nice Rainbow Dash, it was an excellent idea.” said Sunset Shimmer impressed. “Of course it is, I’m awesome! Let's visit A.K. Yearling soon, I’m so excited to see her again.” Said Rainbow Dash jumping like a foal on Hearth's Warming Eve. Without further delay Sunset and the bearers of the elements went to the small and secluded cottage of the author / adventurer in the hope that she knew how to decipher the gibberish of the map, or at least determine the origin of these symbols. Arriving at Yearling's house, Rainbow Dash anxiously knocked on the door with a tremendous desire to see her idol again. The door opened a little, and a pony with glasses and an overcoat peeked out to see who was calling. “Rainbow Dash, is that you?” Asked Yearling when she saw her biggest fan. “Sup Do, how you doing?” Asked the cyan pegasus excited. “Lower voice, will you?” She said opening the door completely, “I see you’ve got company, nice to see you again girls; come inside." The ponies enter Daring Do's house and she made sure to close the door. “Well, I don’t usually receive visitors, but for you girls I can make an exception, so what is going on here? I have the feeling you don't come here to drink coffee and chat for a while." Asked Daring Do suspiciously. “You’ll see Daring Do, we need your professional opinion, as an archaeologist, on an important issue, how much do you know about ancient languages?” Asked Twilight. “Well, I'm not a scholar but I can defend myself in several dead languages, why do you ask?” Twilight turned her gaze to Sunset, who nodded understanding the gesture and introduced herself to Daring Do. “You see, I have in my possession an artifact of uncertain origin, and we wanted to know if you could read the inscription on it-” Commented Sunset to the adventurer / writer. “Very well, if you have it here, show me.” Responded the adventurer pegasus Sunset nodded and with her magic brought the horn out of her saddlebag, levitating it to Yearling's hooves. She took a look at it, but as soon as she analyzed it more closely, her glasses fell off, her expression changed completely, and she looked at Sunset with a strange glare... “Where did you get this from?” She asked as she got dangerously close to Sunset Shimmer. “Um ... I have it since I was a filly, it has always been with me for what I remember.” Said Sunset getting nervous by Daring Do’s sudden attitude. “Do you know what it is?” Asked Twilight excitedly as it seemed that their research was finally taking the right course. “This artifact does not belong to Equestria... and this kind of writing graven on it has never been used in these lands.” explained Daring Do seriously. “What do you mean that it doesn’t belong to Equestria?” Asked Sunset amused. “Tell me, have you ever heard about the Kingdom of Eponia?” Asked the explorer with a serious look. All the ponies looked at each other without having any idea what Daring Do was talking about. Not even Twilight, being the bookworm and history geek of the group had no idea what Daring Do was talking about. “First time I hear that name.” Said Sunset hoping for a clear answer. “I figured out that ... there are few in Equestria who know, or at least have heard about it.” “Do, would you mind to explain yourself please?” Begged Twilight. “Sure, You’ll see, centuries ago, before the foundation of Equestria, when the Three Tribes were confronted, there was a young mare tired of the continued conflicts, that led a huge group of earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns away from the disharmony that reigned in their homeland, it is said that beyond the sea they found a rich and fertile land and settled there. This mare’s name was Epona, and to honor her, they named the new land after her and they crowned her High Queen of the place, that's how Eponia was born.” The mares listened attentively to the story of Daring Do, especially Twilight who loved anything related with the lost history of ponies. “The kingdom prospered and developed in parallel to Equestria, with which they continued to be in contact eventually, however after their Queen’s death the land was divided and it fell in several wars for land, money or just quarrels between kings; it is said that the Crystal Empire sent an expedition with the aim of conquering Eponia, but there is no record of its success because back then, the Empire disappeared and nothing was heard again about the expedition, neither of Eponia. Over the centuries, without any news from beyond the sea, history became a legend, legend became a myth, and bit by bit the memory of Eponia disappeared from the mind of ponies, as if it had never existed." “Wow, that’s a cool spooky story.” Said Rainbow Dash. “But if its memory was lost, how do you know all that?” Asked Sunset still surprised by Daring’s story. “Because I've been in there.” Said the explorer suddenly. The ponies were stunned by the response of the adventurous pony. There were many things that they wanted to know, but it was Twilight who spoke first ahead of the others. “You were there? When? How did you get there? What did you find?” Suddenly an orange hoof covered her mouth. “Twilight, calm down, one question at a time.” Said Sunset removing the hoof from her friend's mouth. Even though Sunset seemed relaxed, truth was that she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. She wanted to know everything like the most. “Point by point, yes I was there, it was back when I was still a rookie archaeologist without any field experience, I arrived by ship guided by an old map, and what I found left me fascinated...” "And what did you find?" Rainbow asked curiously. “I went with expectations of finding ruins, skeletons or stuff like that ... but I found an entire civilization lost in time.” Daring Do looked at nothing with glassy eyes hinting that she was excited to talk about it, it was still her first adventure and for the adventurer’s look they can deduce that it was a great success. “It was a long time ago, I had just graduated, and I was searching between my father's stuff something that could help me to make a first expedition. My father was a professor of archeology and I wanted to follow his steps since I was a filly with a blank flank, in fact it was thanks to him that I got my Cutie Mark, that was when he took me to a trip to explore some ruins in Yakiakistan mountains...” Daring Do closed her eyes and smiled to herself as she remembered how she prepared her very first adventure ... Daring Do’s Flashback In a messy office, a young pegasus, was roaming between a mountain of papers and notebooks. Even though she was concentrated in her work, she couldn’t help complaining about all the mess her dad had in the room. "My gosh, dad was certainly an untidy pony.” Said the young Daring Do as she rummaged through her father's things. “Daring Do Dazzle, what are you doing?” Said a voice behind her. “Nothing mother, I was looking for something, don’t know what, but I’m sure I’ll discover it soon...” Daring Do's mother was an earth pony with light brown coat and dark gray mane. She entered the office, watching closely around her, stunned by the amount of artifacts and papers that were scattered everywhere. “Ah ... your father was never distinguished by organizing things too well, but as they say, each pony has order in his mess,” said Daring’s mother approaching to her daughter. “The lunch is ready dear, go down when you can.” Daring Do nodded while analyzing the papers. Among all of them there were research notes and some journals, apart from paperwork from the Faculty of Archeology, almost all unreadable by the way. “Perhaps between the maps ...” Do spent some time looking at her father's old maps. There was one from Southern Equestria with marks on ancient pyramids and the supposed abode of a sphinx, another of some enchanted ruins in a lost jungle and a strange written: Ahuizotl, and another one of a little-known route in the mountains near Griffonstone. However, none of them caught the interest of the rookie explorer. “Bah, this is a waste of time!” Daring Do bucked the shelf where several maps were and a tube fell on his head. “Ouch! Dammit, stupid tube…” Inside the tube was a rolled-up map, she thought of leaving it where it was and going to eat, but her curiosity was bigger than her hunger and she displayed the map on the desk. “Mmm seems like a map of the coast of Equestria and the ocean,” said analyzing it,” and it seems old, I mean, very old but ... what the...?” The map showed something that caught Daring Do's attention, which led her to take a more modern map and compare both. For some reason in her father's old map there was a mass of land in the ocean that did not appear on the modern map. “How strange... maybe this is too old and they didn’t map as good as nowadays back then. But this doesn’t make any sense, this piece of land shouldn’t be here in any way.” Daring Do was frustrated trying to analyze both maps. She tried to put all of her concentration in the old map but as much as she looked at it she started to think that it was useless. “I'm going to eat and I'll take it to someone who understands more of this, maybe there is somepony who can help me." In the afternoon, the young archaeologist galloped with the map to the house of the pony that knew more about cartography she ever met: her old university professor. Arriving at the home of the aforementioned, she knocked on the door and from it came an old unicorn with a white beard and round glasses on its snout. “Hello Professor Quadrant." Said the pegasus with a smile. “Daring Do Dazzle! How are you doing dear?" Asked the teacher. “Fine thanks, listen sir, I need of your knowledge, there’s a map I want you to analyze, please." Said Daring Do taking the liberty to enter the house of her former master. “Well, I'll be happy to help you as much as I can." Both ponies walked through the house to Professor Quadrant's study. Do waited until her old teacher came back with a teapot, a couple of cups and some biscuits. The young pony thanked the gesture, and while the teacher was serving tea, she dedicated herself to unfolding the map on a nearby desk. “Look Professor, this map was among my father's things, it seems very old, but I could not tell from what time or who published it.” Explained the newbie to the old pony. Professor Quadrant took a sip to his drink, and immediately began examining the map with a magnifying glass until he came to a conclusion. “Yes, it is certainly old, it was made by the Royal Canterlot Cartographers centuries ago,” explained the old pony. “Look, here you can see the cartographer's signature and the date, also analyzing the content we can see that there are towns that no longer exist, or that they changed their name over the years, and in the North, you can still see the Crystal Empire.” “That’s what I suspected, but there is something more sir.” Said Daring Do, while Quadrant was paying attention. “Look at this, this land in the ocean ... I looked for it in another maps but it wasn’t there.” Quadrant watched carefully where his former student's hoof was pointing. The old professor knew Equestria's maps as the back of his hoof, and certainly he had never seen land drawn in that part of the ocean. As he rambled in his thoughts, Daring Do took a sip from her cup of tea while was waiting for an answer. Suddenly, Professor Quadrant seemed to have an inspiration. The old pony turned back to the map and looked closely to the mysterious land. “That’s strange ... but I’d swear that ...” The old Professor searched through his maps on a shelf, until he found what he needed. “What is that?” Asked Daring Do finishing her cup of tea. “These are some navigation charts that I bought when I started my job in college,” explained the professor. “It turns out, there’s a story circulating among the sailors that there is a place in the sea, heading north, where a dense fog covers everything; for centuries, the ships have been lost there and the sailors avoid that area like the pox.” “What does that have to do with my map?” “Look carefully at the navigation chart, here is indicated the approximated territory of that fog; can’t you see that it matches with your strange piece of land?" Daring Do noticed where Professor Quadrant's hooves pointed, and she couldn't believe what she saw. "Professor, these charts are relatively modern, right?" Quadrant nodded. After two more looks at the map and the charts, Daring Do asked the big question. "What are the odds that this map points to an unknown place? Do you think this land really exists?" “I can’t tell you Do, just look at what it is written in your map." The intrepid pegasus used the magnifying glass to see better, next to the land mass there was a name … End of Flashback “Realm of Eponia? That’s what it said?” Asked Twilight, interrupting Daring Do’s story. “Exactly, reviewing my father’s diaries, it seems that he investigated on that strange fog, he discovered that a great amount of sailors through history were lost inside and they never heard from them again.” That creepy part of the history frightened the ponies, especially Fluttershy whose sensitivity to these issues made her hair stand on end. “But there is more, that fog is not a natural thing ...” "Then what is it?" Asked Rarity. “That was one of the things that I found out in my trip, it seems that after the failed attempt of invasion by the Crystal Empire, the land was protected by that fog, but how they did it is a mystery to me.” Explained the explorer to the mares. “The druids of Eponia are not allowed to reveal their secrets, specially to foregneir ponies ..." "Druids?" Said Rainbow Dash. “What in tarnation is a druid?” Asked Applejack. “They are sorcerers, priests and political advisers. They’re part of the elite of Eponia, and ultimately, they control almost all magic there”. That part of Do’s tale caught Twilight and Sunset’s attention. “They are in communion with nature and they are the first ones that kings, queens, warriors and all kind of ponies resort to when there are problems." “Daring Do, we're glad you could explain all this to us, but going back to the first question, could you tell us what those symbols mean?” Twilight asked trying to go back to the subject. “I'm afraid not.” She said sadly before the incredulous look of the alicorn princess. “These are Ogham, an ancient magic alphabet; the only ones who can read, write and use the Ogham are the druids, and if you want to find one, you must go to Eponia." "Maybe that's the reason why the map acted that way," Fluttershy said without drawing much attention. "Do you think he's asking us to go?" “Those Ogham thing in a glow, a dense fog, all of our cutie marks including Sunset’s floating inside the fog… I think it’s to much specific to be a coincidence.” Said Rainbow Dash. “Oh, What the hay... we’re all goin' to go there anyway, right?” said Applejack smiling at the chance of a new adventure. “But if what Daring Do says it’s true, no pony in Equestria knows where Eponia is or how to get there.” said Pinkie thinking outloud. “Perhaps we can use Daring’s map, that would take us there.” Said Rarity. "I'm afraid not, I don’t have it anymore," Said the explorer disappointed. "When I went there they made me promise that I would never disclose the whereabouts of Eponia; In part it is understandable, we were the first ponies of Equestria to set hoof on that land for centuries; so I agreed to get rid of it." “Then we are where we started, without a map and without anypony who knows how to get to that place, there’s nothing to do.” Said Sunset lowering her head and without hope. “Cheer up, not everything is lost. There is actually somepony who knows how ..." Said the explorer / writer. “Who?” Asked Twilight expectantly. “The same captain who took me there for the first time, and to whom I gave him my father’s map. From what I know, he continued making several trips to trade there with Equestrian products, and bring things that can't be seen here." Explained the adventurer. "In fact, I keep in contact with him, and every time I publish a new book I send him a copy." "What's his name?" Sunset Shimmer asked. “His name is Blowing Wind, he lives in the small town of Neightucket, an island on the coast, north of Manehattan. Of course, you will probably have to convince him to help you, that old sea dog isn’t known for his altruism.” Said Daring Do scratching her chin. “Well, I think it's the best option we have.” said Twilight. “You should say that it’s the only option we have.” said Pinkie Pie correcting the princess. “It's better than nothing, we'll go to prepare, I think we have a long journey ahead, and we have to think about what we do with the classes at school.” Said Twilight walking towards the exit. “Thank you so much Do, you’ve been very helpful." “Before you leave, I want to give you this.” Daring Do went to her desk and from there she took out a book with a leather cover and with her cutie mark engraved on it. “This is the diary I wrote when I was there. I wrote down a lot of things like history, folklore, politics ... I've got the feeling that it will be very useful for you." “Much obliged Do.” Twilight levitated the book with her magic while giving a huge smile to Daring Do. “Best of luck girls, it's a dangerous trip, I really hope you find what you're looking for." The mares trotted out to leave the adventurer's house far away. Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer turned over the last words Daring Do said to them before saying goodbye. “Yes… I also hope to find what I'm looking for.” she thought to herself nervous about what was coming on.