“‘Long ago, in the faraway lands within a magical world, there was a golden age of powerful gods, noble king and queens, powerful creatures of titanic forces of nature, and many extraordinary heroes. And the greatest and strongest of all these heroes was a mighty prince himself’,” a narrative voice said, revealing a stained glass window of a human character saving two races. “‘But what is the measure of a true hero? Ah, that is what our story is-’”
Thalia then cut him off, “Ugh! Will you listen to him? He’s makin’ the story sound like some lame tragedy.”
“Lighten up, dude,” Terpsichore said.
Calliope then said, “We’ll take it from here, darling.”
“‘You go, girl’,” the narrator said.
Calliope and the other ladies then began, “We are the Muses. Goddesses of the arts and proclaimers of the heroes.”
“Heroes like you-know-who!” Terpsichore said.
“Honey, of course you mean that “hunk muffin”!” Thalia said. “Ooh, I’d like to make some sweet music with him-”
The Muses then started humming, as Calliope started narrating again, “Our story actually begins long before our idol was brought to this word, many years ago…”
Back when the world was new,
The land of Equestria and other kingdoms near its borderlands were down on its luck.
And everywhere beyond gigantic brutes,
and many monstrous animals or creatures ran amok!
It was a nasty place!
There was a mess wherever you stepped.
Where chaos reigned and earthquakes,
and volcanoes never slept!
And then along came the gods, kings and queens!
They all fought valiantly,
Until SHAZAM!
All the wildlife was in complete protection!
They’re living in the deep roots now!
And on their own stopped chaos in its tracks.
And that’s the gospel truth!
Those moments were too type A to just relax.
And that’s the world’s first dish.
They tamed their lands while still in youth.
Though, honey, it may seem imposs’ble-
That’s the gospel truth!
Everywhere around and beyond, life was neat
and smooth as sweet vermouth.
Though, honey, it may seem imposs’ble-
That’s the gospel truth!
The stained glass revealed the actual forest, and then showed more of the land by panning everywhere.
’The story that I want to tell you cannot be found in a book. They say the history of these two worlds was written from the literature of a poet or another storyteller, but it’s never been told from the heart of one, not till now. I was born here in this place that would come to be whatever I would call home, but to my kind, the lands were somehow ageless. It had no beginning and no end, no boundary between the earth and sky. Like the winds in the tundra grasses or anywhere else in the world, I belonged here. But anywhere in the distance that I would go, I would always belong here.’
’They say the spirits of perfect harmony are what keeps many things in balance. Whether that balance was won or lost in the end, that’s something you’ll have to decide for yourself. But the story I want to tell you is true. I was there, and I remember. I would remember the sun, and the moon, the stars, sky and the wind calling my name in a time when our kingdoms lived together and their children ran free.’
Somewhere, next to the land of Equestria, there was a faraway village that was bordered by a unbreakable stone wall guarded by wooden pillars pointed with steel sharp spikes, and thousands of human soldiers that served by the knighthood of Caliburn, and they wore royal blue and navy blue fabric, and shining silver armory. Inside the village was a large marketplace, along with a few houses, inns and stables, and on the far end on a huge cliff was a big castle that belonged to a royal fellowship of knights, kings, and queens.
In a large room of the castle, there were many rows of bookshelves and a few columns on the far sides of the room. Large vases and statues, along with a few pillars, stood in between them. A large, round metal and glass covered ceiling painted with pictures of big battles and worshipping legendary figures hovered above the centerpiece of the room, including a large round table with lots of chairs, rugs and recliners by the fireplace, and outside by the door was a largely widespread balcony with a large multi-tiered fountain completed with a surrounding flower garden around it like a big maze. Water was spewing from the top of an obelisk funnel, and cascading down multiple levels before it filled up the lower tier.
Inside the room, the fellowship were having a conference. One in the left corner by the door was a man with dark grayish brown hair with a large beard, and brown eyes. He wore a black armor with gold linings and blue fabric. His name was Arathorn Lothar, the courageous king from the Great Plateau.
The one on the right corner by the door was an elf with a silver headpiece that looked like a vine, and he had long blackish brown hair, green eyes, and he wore a grayish green robe-layered tunic with a grayish bronze yellow toga with gold linings. His name was Elwin, the noble elf king from the Summer Forest. Next to him was a elf woman with blackish brown hair and brown eyes, and she had the same headpiece as her husband, and she wore a apple greenish white dress with a layer of white in the middle and underneath, and she wore a silver diamond necklace. Her name was Arwen Udonna, the elf maiden from the Summer Forest, and Elwin’s wife.
The one on the chair by the fireplace was a elf queen with a sparkling white dress and a white cloak, and she had pure blondish white hair with princess braids and a headpiece, and she had sapphire blue eyes. Her name was Galadriel, the elf queen from the Mystic Lake.
The one on the chair in front of the others was man who had brownish blind hair and a shirt trimmed beard, blue eyes, and he wore a brownish red and navy blue royal coat with golden yellow linings and gold colored knight armory underneath. His name was Jonathas, the hopeful king of the Caliburn village. Next to him was a woman who had princess braided long dark brownish red hair, brown eyes, and wearing a aqua blue and forest green maiden like queen dress underneath a reddish brown and reddish violet cloak with a blue toga. Her name was Samira, Jonathas’s wife.
“I thank you all for coming,” Jonathas said. “It’s a pleasure, old friend,” Arathorn said. “You seem unsettled,” Arwen said. “Something troubling you they you wish to explain?” Elwin asked. “I’m pleased to say that our kingdoms here in Avalar are once again safe from these recent dangers, and I’m grateful for your aides during our times together,” Jonathas replied. “We’re always proud to help, old chap,” Arathorn said. “I’m afraid you are both correct. Nothing has happened over the last couple of months except a recent war against another empire of ruthless invading soldiers,” Elwin said.
“And once we continue this time of peace and justice, we will all coexist together once more and bring order and restore balance to our kingdoms as we once did, and hold a feast of honor together,” Jonathas said. “Agreed!” Arathorn said in agreement. “I humbly accept your decision, hopeful one,” Galadriel said. “We will all do what we can to partake in this matter,” Arwen said, as Jonathas nodded, and felt his wife Samira place her hand on his shoulder.
Suddenly, Jonathas’s top general, Perseus, along with Captain Astrum and Sergeant Marcus came into the room for urgent news, then kneeled down, “Your majesty, invaders have broken one of our sacred borders.”
“That’s impossible. No one can get through our great walls,” Samira asked, as Jonathas put her at ease. “Explain, General.”
“We believe Lord Zosimus is leading them,” Perseus explained. “Zosimus? As in the leader of the Imperial Order?” Arwen asked. “I’m afraid so, dear,” Elwin replied. “And that’s not worst of all, your highness,” Sergeant Marcus said. “We’ve also been informed that a few villages were destroyed and invaded by them as well after they broke in.”
“I’m afraid that this must end sooner than later. General, take your troops and send out urgent news to all villages in Avalar. The rest of us, be prepared,” Jonathas said, as they all left the room, leaving him and his wife alone, as she sat on a recliner by the fireplace. Jonathas went over to her and sat next to her for comfort and wrapped his cape over her, and then gently grabbed her by the chin and and lifted her head up to meet her eyes, “What troubles you, dear?”
“Is it true, darling? Is… Is the kingdom in danger?” Samira asked. “Yes, I’m afraid so,” Jonathas replied softly. “Listen, don’t let it get to you. You have had enough on your mind worrying about our people and your family. So please, don’t cry.”
“That’s not why I’m crying, and I’m not scared,” Samira replied as she felt nervous to tell her husband. Jonathas suddenly comforted her by stroking her shoulder and then asked, “Why then? Tell me.”
Samira sighed, until she gently grabbed his hand and then placed it on her belly, “I’m with child.”
“Are you sure?” Jonathas asked, as his wife nodded with a tearful smile, until they both kissed with a lip lock and then embraced themselves by the fire before they headed off to bed.
8 months later…
In the bedroom, Samira was now going into labor, as a few nursemaids helped deliver the baby. Samira took a few heavy deep breaths without hyperventilating, and she then pushed again, but stopped to breathe.
In the round table room, Perseus came into the room to tell Jonathas the news. “Sire, I have news.”
Jonathas turned around and faced his top general, “What is it, Perseus?”
“It’s your wife. She’s having a baby this instant,” he replied. “You better get down there. Better hurry.”
Jonathas nodded, and then left the room he was in and walked down the hall to reach his and his wife’s bedroom, and then waited outside so that the delivery can be done.
One nursemaid wiped the sweat off her, and then another spoke while Samira kept breathing heavily, “There, there, mein lady. Very good job you are doing. A very good job indeed.”
Samira nodded, as she was still breathing heavily.
“Keep breathing, milady. Just keep breathing,” another nursemaid said. “Alright then, here we go again. PUSH!” the other nursemaid said, and Samira then kept pushing, and grunted in pain, but stopped as she slipped and kicked her sweating legs, but screamed in pain as she pushed again. The nursemaids suddenly saw something coming out, and then got towels, a jug of water and a few blankets ready.
Suddenly, after Samira gave one last painful push, she was finally done. Jonathas then heard nothing more than silence but a faint sound he immediately recognized.
Inside the room, the nursemaids gently poured water on the newborn baby and wiped him clean as he kept crying and then it stopped as the nursemaid holding him wrapped him in a bundle of blankets.
Jonathas suddenly came in. “What is it?” he asked a nursemaid. “You’ve given birth to a son, my lord,” the nursemaid replied. Jonathas nodded and then saw the nursemaid giving their son in the bundle over to Samira, as she held him close to her and then the baby looked up at her as he looked very peacefully calm. “Hello, little one,” Samira said, as she began to cry happily while letting her child hold her fingers with his tiny little hands.
The nursemaid next to Samira looked at her king, and then said, “We’ll leave you two alone.” Jonathas nodded and then the nursemaids left the room, as Jonathas walked over closely and took a good look at his newborn son in Samira’s arms, “You’ve done well, Samira. Now he is ready to grow up. Soon, he shall rule with us and become king of this village once he is older.”
They then looked closer at their son as he had some familiar features. “He has your eyes, dear,” Jonathas said. “Yes. And he looks like you,” Samira said, as their son started to sleep with his mother.
Meanwhile, one guard was on patrol like the others, and making sure nobody was coming in. But suddenly, he saw shadowy figures from afar, and when his vision was cleared up, they were Imperial Telmarine soldiers in black and dark grey fabric and dark silver armory, and a symbol of a red, black and grayish silver hexagonal sigil. They each had bows with either regular or flaming arrows, swords, spears, crossbows, shields, catapults with burning spiked balls or regular boulders, and cannons with red destructive firework effects. When the cannons fired at the wall and caused an explosion and then arrows started firing, the soldier knew what was happening.
“WE’RE UNDER ATTACK! SOUND THE SIGNAL!” he shouted, and then another guard went to the speaker to warn the village. “Attention, all villagers! The Imperial Telmarines are coming! Get to shelter or evacuate immediately! Repeat: Get to shelter or evacuate immediately!”
Two other guards rang the bell, causing the villagers to panic and evacuate their homes. The soldiers guarding the village prepared themselves for battle, and then as the Imperial Telmarines charged to battle, the Caliburn knights charged to battle with swords, spears, crossbows, cannons, and lots of artillery. They clashed with the Telmarines and lots of other soldiers were dying, and suddenly the village was being invaded by other Telmarines but some Caliburn soldiers fought to protect the villagers. As some villagers tried to stay safe, other Telmarines destroyed their property, captured families and put them in cages and slaughtered those who resisted with the execution.
Meanwhile, Samira, who was paralyzed from the attack, was holding her newborn baby boy in her arms in a cradle after the noise woke him up, shushing him to keep him calm as he was whimpering and softly crying. “Hush, my son. It’s okay,” she said, and then her baby rested himself against her chest as the baby nestled with her chest, until she kissed him on the forehead and softly stroked his chest. Her husband, Jonathas came back with a sword in his hand, and holding a medallion along with it, and he kissed his wife on the lips and then looked at his son by softly stroking his hair. “How’s he doing?” he asked. “He’s scared,” Samira said, until she shushed her whimpering child again. “I’m afraid we have no choice. We’ll have to send him off if we want him to live,” Jonathas said. “I know it’s risky, but are you sure, dear? What if we get caught?” Samira asked.
“As long as he doesn’t know what happened, he’ll be fine,” Jonathas said, until they heard an explosion nearby. “I want you to take our son to the forest and get him out over to the bay, and take this basket. He’ll be safe in this. I’ll stay behind to distract them while you flee. Now, we must hurry.” Samira nodded, and then as her husband took out the talisman, which was a silver medallion with a huge cross around a circle carved with hieroglyphics, and symbols of a sun on the top right, a planet, sun, moon on the top left, a loophole on the bottom right, and a triangle on the bottom left, and then placed it on their son’s small form, until it began to glow and then floated before it’s physical form turned into dust and smoke, before entering the child’s body and then it stopped.
“What have you done?!” Samira asked. “Don’t be alarmed, dear. I’ve managed to find a safer way for our child and the talisman to be safe from the wrong hands. Now, hurry. Take our son and run away. Go!” Jonathas replied, until he then went to cause a diversion, while Samira went on ahead and made it to a safer exit by hiding herself without being spotted by the Telmarines.
Suddenly, Jonathas fought more troops and then he saw another person come by riding a dark grayish black friesian steed with red beady eyes and black horse armor. The man had bulky king-like armor and had a crowned helmet on his head, and a huge black cape around his shoulders, and then he took of his helmet, and revealed himself as a man at the age of 45, and having black hair and hazel eyes.
“So, this is Jonathas, the village leader?” he asked. “I assume you are Lord Zosimus, commander of this army?” Jonathas asked, until Zosimus walked closer to him. “Where is the talisman hiding? We know you still have it, but first... where is your wife?” Zosimus asked. “She’s gone, and you will never find her or what is destined to become of him,” Jonathas replied. Zosimus was confused, until he was shocked by what the noble king Jonathas said, “What have you done?!”
“We’ve had a son, your highness. And he maybe our only chance that my family shall live, including the talisman’s protection. I’m afraid it’s too late,” Jonathas said. Zosimus was not amused, “You imbecile! This is heresy! Seize them!” Jonathas struck back and killed his men from try to reach his wife, but Zosimus struck back with his two swords, and then had a sword fight with the village leader.
Meanwhile, Samira took her horse and rode through the forest, and then she made it through the trees and towards the bay near Equestria. When she set up the basket near the water, Samira looked at her son. “Shhhhhh shhhhhh...” she said, as he son was fussing and whimpering, and began singing a soft lullaby.
Hush now, my baby
Be still, love. Don’t cry.
Sleep like you’re rocked by the stream.
Sleep and remember my last lullaby,
So I’ll always be with you when you dream.
Her baby then yawned and then she gave him a kiss on the forehead and placed him on the soft mattress in the basket, and then covered him up with the extra blanket to keep him warm, and then placed a envelope consisting a letter with the royal crest wax stamp. “Goodbye, sweetheart. I’ll always be with you, in your heart,” she whispered, and sniffed from her sad heart as she closed the basket by placing the lid on top and locking it shut, but made sure her son had enough air to breathe by poking some holes with a knife.
Drift on the river
that flows right through my arms.
Drift as I’m singing to you.
I see you smiling
so peaceful and calm.
When she was close enough for the distance in the river, Samira then gently pushed the basket where her child was sleeping inside and it drifted off into the river away from the bay.
River, oh river
Flow gently just for me
Such precious cargo that you now bear
Can you keep him
safe from all harm?
Is there anyway that he might survive?
Do you know somewhere
that he can be free?
River, safely... deliver him there...
When the baby was now safe from harm, the Telmarines, led by another guard, but the captain whose name was Ducard, and he wore both armor and a chain patterned tunic with a plated vest, and a black cape, and he also rode a black steed. He also had black hair that touched only his neck and nearly shaved facial hair and a small goatee on his chin. “Where is the talisman?” the captain asked. “Safe from your king’s tyranny, as well as my child,” she replied. “You’ll never find him.”
“Then by the order of his majesty, I hereby place you and your husband under arrest for treacherous treason,” the captain said, and then two guards cuffed her and took her to the king.
When they got back to the village, more villagers were captured and imprisoned or slaughtered by beheading execution. “We lost the talisman, sir. She said that it was with her child, but we don’t know where he’s headed,” the captain said. “And it’ll never be in your grasp again,” Samira said bravely. “I see. But I will find him and reclaim what is rightfully mine,” Zosimus said. “Put her with the prisoners.” The guards locked her up in a cage with her husband, and then they hugged each other.
“Is he safe?” Jonathas asked. “Yes, and I placed the letter with him,” Samira replied. They both hugged each other for loving comfort. “He’ll be alright, as long as whoever finds him does what needs to be done,” Jonathas said, as his wife replied. “I hope you’re right. Wait... we haven’t named our son yet.”
“He’ll be safe, and whoever names him will be remembered, and if we die, we die together,” Jonathas said. Samira nodded and then they comforted each other in the cell. Zosimus looked at the rising sun with mischievous pride, until he saw a woman walking over with a bundle in her arms as well, revealing a baby girl but a month older, and the woman was wearing a black and green glittering queen sized dress with a transparent green layer underneath her black cape, a feathery shawl, black transparent linen pantyhose with black and silver shoes, and she had a black choker necklace and an emerald pendant with a gold chain around her neck, and a blackish chrome tiara with a feather headdress on her head. “My humble prince,” she said, stroking her husband’s shoulders. “Perfect timing, Minerva,” Zosimus said, kissing his wife’s ring, and then looked at his daughter in his wife’s arms and gently brushed her hair with his finger. “So, we’ve secured the talisman?” she asked. “Apparently not. But we will find it,“ Zosimus said. “I know you will, darling,” Minerva said.
He ran the Imperial Order,
But thought every kingdom he conquered were burnt and uncouth.
He was as mean as ruthless
And that’s the gospel truth.
He had a plan to shake things up
And that’s the gospel truth!
Meanwhile, as the sun rose up fully and beyond the river, the basket was still floating and drifting towards the bay of another forest, but somehow it got stuck by a boulder and a log, until a cragadile tried to chomp on it. The lizard missed as the basket continued to drift as fish swam underneath it, and then passed by two boulders with hippos roaring at each other, before they saw it drifting by, passed a herd of deer drinking, and as it got close towards a rapid stream, a golden eagle snatched the basket and flew right pass a village full of other ponies, and definitely other creatures including griffons, minotaurs, and then more ponies.
The eagle passed more cliffs of the side of the Canterhorn mountain, but as the bird headed towards its nest, the basket slipped off, entering the stream of the Whitetail Woods, and then the basket went through a gently shallow waterfall, until it led to the royal city of Canterlot and continued its journey before the sun would set and the moon would rise and suddenly sent a flock of swans flying away.
Meanwhile, Princess Celestia was walking on a stroll through the path of her royal gardens with upsetting depression on her face, and a broken heart. Many ponies during social events would go there to calm their minds or have some privacy with their loved ones, but Celestia’s was heavy with frustrating thoughts of humiliation and sadness. She continued her stroll while the night sky was above her.
Celestia then stopped by the rose bushes and then looked up at the evening sky to see the beautiful glow of the shining moon. She then felt a tear of sadness run down her cheek as she looked at the mare on the moon. Celestia somehow felt sorry for banishing her dear sister to the moon, and then kept thinking of ways to free Luna from the grasp of Nightmare Moon’s darkness since she knew her return would soon be imminent.
“If only you knew how much I miss you, sister. But I promise I will find a way to bring you back to me,” Celestia said. And suddenly, her thoughts were drifted away as she heard the sound of a colt crying. She then listened closely, until the crying sound came back. She looked around until she saw the basket stuck in one of the bushes, and then saw the basket halfway open. Celestia went to go look, and the baby continued to cry. When Celestia got closer, she lowered herself down, and then carefully removed the basket from the bush with her magic, and when she uncovered the lid from the top, she saw the baby inside and wrapped in a bundle of a white towel like blanket and covered by a warm blanket, and looking like he was scared and alone, and like someone was going to hurt him.
“Oh my goodness. What do we have here?” Celestia asked, as she gently touched him. “You poor thing.” As Celestia carefully lifted the child up with her magic and placed him onto her right foreleg to hold him in a cradle, he continued to cry and whimper. “Shhhhhh shhhhhh... Hush, little one. Please don’t cry. I’m right here now, and you’re now safe with me.” Princess Celestia looked down at him, and then the baby began to calm down his sobbing and whining, and then leaned against her chest fur and placed his hand on it. She smiled warmly at him, as the baby opened his eyes and looked at her with amazement and then he hugged Celestia’s golden slippered hoof with his cute little hands.
Princess Celestia then wrapped the other blue blanket around him for extra warmth around the towel fabric blanket he was bundled with, and then the baby was safe and warm in Celestia’s cradling hooves. She then saw a note in the basket, and then read it while it floated in her aura.
“To whoever finds our child,
If you’re reading this, it’s because you’ve found our departed child for protection. I’m sorry me and my husband had sent him away, but it’s because our village is no longer safe for him, so I beg of you, please take care of him and love him as like he was your own son.
The reason why we sent him to you is because a tyrannically gladiatorial king wants the talisman of Caliburn. Please protect it and keep the baby alive from this army because they’ll kill him if they find him and the talisman.
He’s from a Caliburn village in a distant land at the northern and southern sides of your country, but we may not be able to see him again, since our execution is upon us.
We know your land is a place that is full of peaceful harmony and good monarchy, so please have him live with a good childhood full with love and care.
We thank you for your support.
Samira and Jonathas, his birth parents
P.S. - He is from a race called humans.”
Princess Celestia then realized that many innocent lives might’ve died or enslaved if he ever went back to save his village. She then felt sorry for their loss, and then felt furious about why someone so cruel would want to hurt such an innocent child over some sacred talisman. Celestia then looked down at the child and saw him peacefully sleeping in her hooves. She then decided to take the child inside so he can get warm, but tried not to show him towards the guards.
When she was inside, Celestia placed the basket by the fireplace but away from the flames, and then she laid on all four legs after putting on her teal robe with crimson red cuffs and lining and golden yellow slippers on her hind hoofs, and then she brought the baby over to her and laid him against her chest.
“Now, what am I going to do with you, little one?” she asked in a motherly tone. She then saw him looking at her, and then she raised her hoof toward him, until he hugged it with his little arms and then she smiled warmly at him.
“I guess you need somepony to take care of you. Hmm...” she then thought for a moment. “Would you like to live here in the castle with me in Canterlot?” The baby then hugged her again by resting himself against her soft and warm chest fur. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, giving him a kiss on the forehead, and then saw him yawning, until the baby fell asleep underneath the softness of her robe, and the warmth of her fur. Princess Celestia then smiled warmly as she placed her cradle in a different direction and placed one of her wings over the sleeping baby.
While the baby was occupied, Celestia looked at the mare image on the moon, as a few tears of sorrow appeared from her eyes, “Goodnight, sister.”
While Celestia looked back down at the baby in her forelegs, she could still tell that something was trouble the poor child deep down, even though he wasn’t even crying.
“Shhhhhh shhhhhh… There, there, sweetie. It’s okay. Mommy’s here,” she said wrapping a hoof around him again and pulling him up to her chest while wrapping her other hoof around him and then covered him with both her wings, “Mommy’s got you.”
Celestia then saw him snuggled underneath her fur as she saw him using her chest as a pillow, “I promise, I will never let anything happen to you............my little Bowen.”